School uniforms are always a contentious issue and the argument lifts its ugly head when the back-to-school frenzy begins in September. This month, however, Minister Ruairí Quinn and Tánaiste Eamonn Gilmore are putting the debate in the hands of those who really matter – the parents.

A questionnaire will be sent out to schools, allowing parents to give their views on a variety of issues, including whether their school should have generic uniforms rather than more expensive crested jumpers. It is expected changes could be implemented by next September.

So what do the schools have to say? Larry Fleming, former president of the Irish Primary Presidents Network (IPPN) says: “The IPPN is very conscious that finances are tight and we welcome the opportunity for parents to voice their opinions. Many schools have already changed their policy in line with the economic situation of recent years, but not all.

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“However, there are a lot of factors to consider. Low cost doesn’t always mean the cheapest option, and crested uniforms are often better quality and long lasting.

“However, we are concerned that parents would vote against the school uniform, but, personally, I don’t think this will be the case. Irish people place a huge amount of importance on it. Even looking at the All-Ireland Schools Choir competition recently, the uniform had a huge impact and is very much associated with a school’s identity. It’s part of our tradition. Many parents grew up with it themselves and expect their children to follow the same path.”

Ann Talbot

“I think it is lovely that my girls don’t have to wear a uniform and have their own sense of individuality at school.”

Ann Talbot and her husband Robin run a beef farm in Co Laois. Their girls, Sarah (nine) and Ruth (six), attend Abbeyleix South National School where there is no requirement to have a uniform.

“The school is a Church of Ireland school and the fact that they don’t have a uniform wasn’t part of the reason that we sent them there. However, it is an element that I like.

“I recognise the convenience of a uniform, but I feel they’ll be wearing it for long enough in secondary school. The time spent in their small country school gives them the opportunity to express themselves. Every now and then, there can be a few disagreements on what they’ll wear to school, especially from Ruth, but I think it’s something she’ll grow out of and we usually have it decided the night before.

“The girls wear their normal clothes to school. At the moment, they’re wearing jeans, woolly cardigans and fur-lined boots. I don’t spend a fortune on their clothes, the boots are from Aldi.

“Quite simply, they just get better wear out of their own clothes. I also like that I can dress them for the season. It might be a woolly cardigan now, but on a warm sunny day they are in leggings and T-shirts instead of a thick jumper.

“I can see other arguments about how not wearing a uniform, for example, might be a problem in that it may contribute to bullying, but in our small rural school this doesn’t seem to be an issue.

“Bullying can be related to so many things. Also, when it comes to safety when school children are out and about, it’s quite easy to put some high-visibility vests on them.

“Sarah is in fourth class now and knows that she will have a uniform in secondary school. She is quite accepting of that, but, in the meantime, I think it is lovely for her to have her own sense of individuality at school. If the school proposed changing the uniform policy, I wouldn’t be in support of it.”

Else Ravneberg

“My kids have a generic uniform and I’m quite happy with that. I think the crested uniform is a step too far and is a bit of a marketing ploy.”

Else Ravneberg is Norweigan but recently moved back to Ireland with her husband Simon. The couple run We Do Safe and Dry, a supplier of protective agricultural and outdoor wear. Their twins, Sean and Fiona (5), attend Carrig National School in Co Tipperary.

“When my children first started school, I was very sceptical about the school uniform. There are no uniforms in Norway and it was all a bit foreign to me. However, over the last year my mind has completely changed. In fact, I now think uniforms are a stroke of genius. There is no fuss getting them ready in the morning.

“More importantly though, it allows all children to be equal. In Norway, there is such competition. Kids are just obsessed with labels, and it doesn’t stop there, mothers are the same. Bullying is a really big problem and sometimes clothes are part of that. In Ireland, there is no jewellery, no fancy hair and it sets the right tone of disciple for the school environment.

“My kids have a generic uniform and I’m quite happy with that. I think the crested uniform is a bit of a marketing ploy. The difference in cost is significant – we only paid €10 for the school jumper. When you have twins you have to buy two of everything, so we were quite happy that we didn’t have to fork out €45 each.

Also, they grow so quick that if I have to buy another jumper for them during the year, it’s not a huge inconvenience. The kids know what school they are part of and they will represent it well, with or without a crest.”

Theresa Wrafter

“Ballinamere National School has all the qualities we were looking for in a school, and the crested uniform is part of that identity.”

Theresa Wrafter is a dairy farmer with four children. Fabian (16), Denise (14) and Ciara (12) attend Killina Presentation Secondary School in Tullamore, while her youngest, Gearoid (nine), is at Ballinamere National School. Although Ballinamere gives parents the option to buy a plain or crested uniform, Theresa says she has always bought the quality jumper.

“Ballinamere National School has all the qualities we were looking for in a school, and the crested uniform is part of that identity. I understand they are more expensive. I pay €45 for the small jumpers and €55 for the secondary school jumpers. However, I don’t think the extra outlay is just for a crest. The quality is far superior. Many are 50% Irish wool and they get at least a year out of them. I think that is good value for an item of clothing you wear everyday. I’m not sure you’d get a full year out of a poorer quality jumper. In fact, even though parents have the choice in our school, the majority of them opt for the crested uniform.

“Safety is also a big factor for me. When kids are on tours it’s much easier to keep an eye on everybody if they are wearing the same uniform, and if someone gets lost, they are easily identifiable. Children’s safety is, quite literally, priceless.

“I think the big supermarkets are going to really promote the generic uniforms, but, as farmers, we believe they’re making quite enough money as it is. I would much prefer to support local jobs and shops.

“Also, Labour are using this school debate as a political football to make it look like they really care for families where the crested uniform is a big expense. However, this is the very government that reduced the Back to School Allowance.” CL