Victoria Set to Give Girls the Choice to Wear Pants at All State Schools

Victoria's Education Minister has committed to introducing new rules that would enforce all state schools to allow girls the choice between skirts, dresses, trousers and shorts.

James Merlino, Victorian education minister, has told ABC Radio Melbourne that he considered the changes after being contacted by many parents and students.

"The vast majority of schools provide the option of wearing pants or shorts for female students, but some don't," he explained.

"This is about students being comfortable at school, being physically active at school."

Right now, the policy allows for each school to decide whether they would like their girls to wear trousers and shorts. However, if the proposed changes occur, all public schools will have to offer all options, whereas private schools and religious schools will still be able to restrict uniform options.

One of the groups pushing hardest for the changes is Girls' Uniform Agenda. The co-founder, Simone Cariss, told ABC that she got involved when her daughter came home one day and asked why shouldn't wear pants like her male friends.

"One of the arguments we hear from schools is that they force girls to wear dresses because it prepares them for the world of work—well, I don't know what decade those schools are living in," Cariss said. 

"Just give them the option, that's all we ask."

Western Australia is already ahead of the curb after making it mandatory that public schools allow their female students to wear trousers and shorts as well.

Now, for the rest of Australia. Say "nay" to restrictive uniform policies!

Photo: iStock.com/aprilsan