School uniform: pros and cons. Why do you need a school uniform?

Russian light industry enterprises have proposed introducing a uniform uniform for primary school students throughout the country. Representatives of the industry consider it necessary to make school uniforms a separate segment of clothing and consolidate the standards of its production at the legislative level.

"Letidor" recalls when and where school uniforms first appeared, and examines major milestones in world history.

Since ancient times, school uniforms have been a distinctive sign of high society, because not everyone could give their children an education. This is not just an attribute of the educational system, but also an ancient tradition that has changed along with the development of society.

When did school uniforms appear?

It is almost impossible to determine the “birthday” of the form, since the first schools appeared long before our era. Already by the 3rd millennium BC, many cities of Mesopotamia had schools at temples. The schoolchildren did not have a special uniform; they had to dress like future clerks: in a short chiton (like a shirt), leather armor with elegant chlamys trim (thick fabric). In the East, this uniform was worn for thousands of years by young men studying science (girls, as is known, did not take part in the learning process for a long time). But even then special insignia appeared. For example, in ancient Greece, Aristotle's students tied their ties with a special oriental knot and wore white togas thrown over their left shoulders.

Ancient Indians studied in so-called “family schools”. The students lived in the house of their teacher-father and obeyed him in everything. They were supposed to wear a dhoti kurta to academic classes - that’s what they called a two-piece suit. The legs and thighs were wrapped in a strip of fabric, and a shirt was put on top, which differed in color, tailoring and ornament among different castes. With the development of Buddhism in the 1st-6th centuries, the dhoti kurta was replaced by a kurta and pajami - a long shirt and wide pants. Yes, the word “pajama” came to us from Hindi and literally means “clothing for the legs.”

What happened to form in the Middle Ages

In medieval Europe, with the decline of ancient culture, “dark” times for education began. Institutes and schools were practically destroyed. Only church schools at monasteries escaped this fate. The uniform in those days was ordinary monastic clothing. After difficult times, school uniforms were introduced for the first time in England.

Since 1552, Christ’s Hospital appeared - schools for orphans and children from poor families. A special suit was sewn for the students, consisting of a dark blue jacket with ankle-length tails, a vest, a leather belt and trousers just below the knee. This uniform still exists today, only now it is worn not by orphans, but by the future elite of Great Britain. The form was approved at the state level. At the same time, children from different elite schools came up with special symbols by which students understood each other’s place. How many buttons are fastened on a blazer, how the shoelaces are tied, at what angle a hat is worn, how a child holds a school bag (by one handle or two) - all these were social markers, invisible to the uninitiated.

What's wrong with school uniforms in Russia?

In Russia, the uniform appeared in 1834 with the adoption of a law that approved a separate type of civilian uniforms - student and gymnasium uniforms. The uniform was of a military style: caps, tunics and overcoats, which differed in color, piping, buttons and emblems. Needless to say, the boys proudly wore such clothes not only at school, but also in everyday life.

The girls wore very strict and modest attire - brown dresses and aprons. Each establishment had one color scheme, and the style changed depending on fashion. After the revolution, school uniforms were abolished as an element of the bourgeoisie. The time of “formlessness” lasted until 1949. Then the tunics gave way to suits with four buttons, a cap and a belt with a badge. At the same time, the student’s hairstyle certainly had to be “mixed”, like in the army.

In 1992, under the influence of democratic ideas, school uniforms were officially abolished by the Decree on the Rights of the Child. It was argued that every child has the right to express his individuality as he sees fit. In 2012, a law was passed again, returning school uniforms to legal status.

“You may hate school uniforms, but I believe they will lead to better things,” says 15-year-old Chloe Spencer.

A shirt, tie and jacket may not be my favorite outfit, but if I had the choice, I wouldn't reject the idea of ​​a school uniform. Wearing it is a symbol of pride, creates the school's identity and is an important part of student life.

“The uniform shows that you are part of a certain society. Wearing it says that everyone is the same,” says Jason Wing, headteacher of Neale-Wade Academy in Cambridgeshire.

“If you wear your uniform with pride, you become more respectful of the school rules.”

My school is one of many that favors a formal uniform - this September I will be wearing a shirt and jacket instead of the old jumper and polo shirt. Some students have complained about the change, but the school says the jumpers and polos look too childish.

School uniforms teach students to dress professionally and take pride in their appearance. It prepares children for adulthood when they will have to wear business attire or a uniform.

Many people believe that uniforms can improve academic performance because they are less distracting, keep you focused on your studies, and create a more serious atmosphere in the classroom, which allows you to learn better.

Most importantly, wearing a uniform means that children do not have to worry about their clothes and the opinions of their classmates. When everyone is dressed the same, there is no need to worry about your appearance. There is no competition to see if you are dressed in the latest fashion, which would put a significant dent in the wallets of students and parents. Potential bullies will have one less thing to complain about. You won’t laugh at the fact that someone is dressed differently if you are dressed exactly the same.

In the US, where most schools do not have uniforms, more than 160,000 students skip school every day for fear of being humiliated by other students. It may not be directly related to clothing, but at least they will feel comfortable about their clothing. A strict uniform creates the impression of strict order in the school, which will help maintain discipline in the school.

Although school uniforms are cheaper than buying a whole wardrobe of clothes, they still break the bank. Many schools have their own suppliers, and children may even be punished if they wear similar but cheaper items. For example, a black skirt is not exactly the black skirt you need. Finding a uniform that fits, especially if you're tied to one store, can be a challenge.

The government recently held a conference on the cost of school uniforms in England. They are considering legislation to ban only one supplier of school uniforms, allowing parents to buy them from different stores. If the school decides to change the uniform, then these changes should affect only one or two items, preferably sewn-on logos. A multi-vendor system will help families with uniform costs.

And although I don’t like the fact that I can’t wear what I want for two years, I’m still for a business style in clothes. This not only saves time choosing clothes in the morning, but also sets the sixth grade students as examples for the kids, which is extremely important.

Maisie Vallance, 8, said: “I like the uniform because everyone looks the same and no one gets bullied for what they're wearing. Our new uniform is more businesslike, which is a good thing.”

My uniform is not the kind of clothing I would wear in my free time, but it gives me a sense of belonging, eliminates difficult clothing choices and deters attacks from detractors. School uniforms are far from fashionable, but they are undoubtedly something that should exist.

Based on materials from http://www.theguardian.com/

What is a school uniform for? Bright “You may hate school uniforms, but I believe they will lead to better things,” says 15-year-old Chloe Spencer.

An increasing number of people are wondering why children need school when the availability of knowledge has become almost limitless. You can study at home, when teachers come directly to the student or via the Internet. Entire websites and groups on social networks are being created on the topic of education without going to school. So who can answer why school is needed in today's world?

What is school

School in the broadest sense of the word is a place where children receive a general education, which is necessary for every person, regardless of his income and social level.

Children receive knowledge at school from teachers, from textbooks, manuals, fiction and scientific books included in the educational program.

In Russia, there is a distinction between primary school education, which children receive from 7 to 11 years of age, and general education, from 12 to 17 years of age.

Pros of going to school

The advantages of school education seem to be obvious to everyone. Let's look at them in more detail.

• First of all, this is the systematic acquisition of knowledge. Programs for primary and secondary schools are developed taking into account the psychological characteristics of children of each specific age. All textbooks are built on the principle from least to greatest, with a smooth flow of topics and level of complexity from year to year for 11 years. Even homeschooling is based on the school curriculum. That is, it cannot be said that homeschooling is something completely different, far from school.
• Teaching children discipline and obedience, respect for authorities outside the family. This is really necessary, because throughout one’s life a person is forced to obey many superior people: from management at work to government officials in the country. This is especially true in our time, when most parents, with the support of psychologists, are inclined towards a gentle style of education and the absence of punishment. In most cases, this is correct, but still such loyalty does not allow the child to feel the established boundaries. As a result, the habit of obeying authorities does not arise, which threatens such a person with antisocial behavior in the future.
• In the school community, children not only gain knowledge and learn to obey higher authorities, but also build social connections with their peers, that is, with other students. Where else can a child learn communication skills if not in the classroom? On the playground in the yard, children change too quickly for long-term communication and friendship to be learned there.

Disadvantages of school education

We are all different, something may seem like a good option for one person, but not at all suitable for another. But there are a few common things about schooling that most parents don't like:

• Lack of an individual approach to teaching children. The program is common for all children, without exceptions. True, if we are not talking about correctional schools. In ordinary educational institutions, no one will identify the ability of an individual child to master a particular science. And accordingly, he will not try to develop those abilities for which the student has an inclination or even talent. Thus, children with a mathematical mindset often wonder why literature is needed at school, while students in the humanities do not like the exact sciences.
• Lack of supervision of children during breaks and after school. How many times have there been scandals about the bullying of some students by others, but the situation does not change. Teachers are concerned with mastering the curriculum, and relationships within children's society are left to the children themselves. But the guys are just learning to communicate; they do not yet fully understand the consequences of their actions. This is why we need social educators from primary school, and not just subject teachers.
• Too large a crowd of people creates an unfavorable virus environment. In large cities, school premises are not sufficient for the number of students who attend. There can be 40 or more children in one class, and classes go up to the letter “U”.

Home education

Why do we need a school if more and more parents, and even teachers, say that you can gain knowledge not at school, but at home. The obvious advantages of home education are an individual program tailored to a specific student. The child can learn at his own pace, without trying to catch up or overtake his classmates, as happens in regular schools.

Then why do you need to go to school? Human nature is such that we need stimulation, competition, in order to achieve the best results we can. But in home schooling this is not the case, the child has no one to follow, he has no positive example before his eyes, just as there is no negative image.

It is worth noting the positive side of homeschooling for frequently ill children. If a child does not attend school classes with a huge number of students, then he is less likely to get sick.

School from a child's perspective

Many children ask their parents almost every day why they need school. After all, studying is a lot of work and moral stress. With rare exceptions, students perceive school as a punishment repeated day after day for eleven years. And the point here is not that the children have difficulty mastering the school curriculum. The essence of students' rejection of school lies in the difficulties of social adaptation.

It is not only parents who must explain to their children the need for education. School teachers are faced with the task of not only providing knowledge, but also teaching how to communicate in a team without the presence of parents. Unfortunately, today the situation is such that, due to insufficient funding, many teachers approach the task formally and do not “put their soul” into their students. But professions, the essence of which is working with children, are based on a calling, and not just on a material incentive.

School from parents' point of view

For many parents, the school years of their offspring are also not easy. They, like their children, again and again ask themselves the question of why school is needed. After relatively easy years of attending kindergarten, school literally makes many people depressed. Every day it is necessary to check homework, resolve school-wide issues at parent-teacher meetings, and look for tutors if the son or daughter does not have time to master the school curriculum at the required level. In addition, material costs are high: school fees are very common in our country. In this case, it is worth learning about your rights and the rights of the child. School education in our country is absolutely free. The state provides the school with everything necessary, which means that any contribution of funds for its needs occurs on a purely voluntary basis.

Unified State Exam

Throughout the several years that have passed since the introduction of the unified state exam in schools, there has been debate about how expedient it is. Most teachers, like parents, are inclined to believe that the previous system of student assessment knowledge was many times more effective.

Now all the children and their parents can do is carefully prepare for the Unified State Exam, putting all their efforts and even resources into it, hoping that this ineffective form of testing knowledge will soon be abolished.

Why do we need school?

The child not only gains knowledge in the subjects of the school curriculum, but also learns to think analytically and collect the required information. Without mastering the school curriculum, few people can achieve at least some success in life, because too much in our country, and abroad, is built on the ability to think logically and independently look for answers.

Most employers carefully study the educational documents of candidates for a position. Of course, there is always a chance to climb the career ladder without basic knowledge, but, let's be honest, the chances of this are minimal.

So, answering the question posed about why you need to study at school, we can highlight the main points:

• Obtaining basic knowledge about science and the world around us.
• The skill of independent work with primary sources of information using the example of textbooks and assignments.
• Ability to remember information in large quantities.
• Ability to establish contacts and friendships with other people.
• The ability to cope with the negative attitude of others, which is not uncommon in children's groups.
• Developing both leadership qualities and the ability to obey authorities.
• And finally, obtaining a school certificate, without which further education in higher and secondary specialized educational institutions is impossible.

As a result

The state gives parents the right to independently choose the form of education for their children. You don’t have to take your heirs to school, but educate them at home. But it should be remembered that the vast majority of people in our country choose to study in schools.

Why do you need a school uniform?

Why do you need a school uniform?

The girls and boys of the school changed their usual costumes - and young ladies from the Institute of Noble Maidens and students of the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum, high school students and high school students of the 19th century, pioneers in ties and students in the uniform of the “School of Cooperation” walked along the corridors.

Guests of the holiday attended open lessons, where they could study according to the program of the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum in a fine literature lesson or paint with starch paints prepared with their own hands in a chemistry lesson.

After lessons, guests were treated to intellectual games and the premiere of a musical about school uniforms, where in small skits teachers and students talked about the morals and traditions of education from different periods of Russian history.

In 1764, Catherine II founded the "Educational Society of Noble Maidens", which later became known as the "Smolny Institute of Noble Maidens". The purpose of this educational institution, as stated in the decree, was “...to give the state educated women, good mothers, useful members of the family and society.”

Training and education proceeded “by age.” Girls of each age group wore dresses of a certain color: the youngest (5-7 years old) - coffee color, so they were called “coffee girls”, 8 - 10 years old - blue or blue, 11 - 13 years old - gray, older girls wore white dresses . The dresses were closed ("closed"), one-color, of the simplest cut. They wore a white apron, a white cape and, sometimes, white sleeves. Girls received an advanced education for Europe: reading, languages, basic mathematics, physics, chemistry, dancing, knitting, manners, music.

The most famous is considered to be the uniform of the Imperial Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum, a privileged educational institution for children of nobles, from which Pushkin graduated. Children aged 10-12 years old were admitted to the lyceum, and high-ranking officials were trained from the students. The lyceum had a humanitarian and legal orientation, the level of education was equal to that of a university, and graduates received civil ranks from the 14th to the 9th grades.

Summer boarding uniform

Boarding houses for noble maidens - state and commercial - spread throughout Russia in the second half of the 19th century. Each educational institution adopted a uniform of its own color, but equally modest in appearance. Older girls were already taken out into the world, to balls and receptions, so that the young lady could find a “suitable match” and arrange her future life.

Since many girls lived in boarding houses permanently, in the summer they were allowed to change their everyday uniform to a lighter one - summer. Here are some of the summer boarding house options for walking. But even outside the educational institution, the girl had to look stern and touching - in a boater hat and a long dress.

Gymnasiums

The oldest Russian gymnasium is the Academic, founded in 1726. But the real heyday of gymnasiums dates back to the beginning of the 19th century, when the Ministry of Public Education was formed. Gymnasiums began to appear throughout the Russian Empire. The uniform of high school students consisted of a cap, overcoat, tunic, trousers and a ceremonial uniform. In winter, when it was cold, they wore headphones and a hood. Each educational institution had different colors, piping, buttons and emblems. Teachers and supervisors strictly monitored compliance with all rules for wearing a suit, which were spelled out in detail in the charter of educational institutions.

There were classical, real, commercial, and military gymnasiums. And women's.

The gymnasium uniform for girls was approved only 63 years after the men's. In state gymnasiums, pupils wore brown dresses with a high collar and aprons. Mandatory turn-down collar and straw hat. By the beginning of the 20th century, there were more than 160 girls’ gymnasiums. Upon completion, girls were given a certificate to become a home teacher.

Soviet uniform

In 1918, the gymnasium uniform was recognized as a bourgeois relic and was abolished. But in 1948 they returned to their pre-revolutionary form. The new Soviet uniform appeared only in 1962. It was already more like civilian clothes - without tunics, caps and belts. The uniform for girls repeated the uniform of the gymnasium, only it was much shorter. A black or white festive apron, lace collar, cuffs, white or black bows were required.

In the 70s, boys got a jacket tailored to look like denim, and older boys got a trouser suit. In the late 80s, school uniforms were in short supply; they were even sold with coupons. One of the reasons for the demand was its good quality and traditionally low price. Adults began to wear it as casual and work wear.

Compulsory school uniforms in Russia were officially abolished in 1992.

Modern uniform of the “School of Cooperation”

Most prestigious educational institutions have their own uniform, emphasizing the students' belonging to a certain environment. This is a worldwide tradition; the most prestigious educational institutions, for example, the Ivy League, which includes Cambridge and Oxford, have their own form.

Educational hour on the topic: Why do we need a school uniform?

Goals:

fostering a conscious attitude towards appearance.

development of cognitive interests.

Tasks:

introduce students to the school’s regulations on school uniforms and students’ appearance;

introduce students to the history of school uniforms in Russia

present school uniforms from different countries;

develop the ability to dress beautifully and correctly, according to certain life situations;

develop a culture of behavior and a culture of appearance.

Visual aids and materials: various pictures on the topic.

Methods: story, conversation, debate, sociological survey.

Progress

Part 1. Why school uniforms are introduced at school.

Everything in a person should be perfect:
and face, and clothes, and soul, and thoughts.
A.P. Chekhov

Introductory speech by the teacher. Our school has had a uniform student uniform for several years now. This process is quite painful for us; a group of middle and high school students find it difficult to accept innovations and resist dressing in accordance with the accepted regulations on school uniforms and the appearance of our school.
Today we will try to find out why a school uniform is needed, whether it is good or bad, how students in other schools in our country, as well as abroad, dress, and we will get acquainted with the history of school uniforms in Russia.

First, we will conduct a survey, where I propose the following questions on the topic: “Your attitude towards school uniforms.”

Continue the sentence. "If I were a school principal, I would allow students to wear..."

Do you like the look of schoolchildren?

Is jewelry compatible with business attire?

Is a school uniform required?

They answered, put your pieces of paper aside, we will turn to them at the end of our teaching hour and see whether your opinion has changed or not on this topic.

Part 2. Why the decision was made to introduce school uniforms.

School uniform - mandatory casual dress for students while at school and at official school events.

Why are school uniforms introduced?

School uniform

School uniform is a certain indicator of the level of the school.

A school uniform helps a student feel the difference between the yard where he walks and a serious educational institution.

The form disciplines, makes you more organized.

Clothing determines the type of behavior and creates the aesthetics of the workplace.

A school uniform allows you to avoid competition between children in clothing.

She saves time spent in front of the closet, in exhausting doubts: “What should I wear to school today?”

Part 3. History of school uniforms in Russia.

School uniforms in the Russian Empire.

Many people ask the question: “Who came up with this form anyway?” Really, who? Peter I. Peter the Great was a very versatile person, and there was probably no area in which he did not carry out reforms.

1834 - a law was passed approving the general system of all civilian uniforms in the empire. This system included gymnasium and student uniforms.

1896 – regulations on gymnasium uniforms for girls were approved.

1949 - it was decided to return to the former image: boys were dressed in military tunics with a stand-up collar, girls - in brown woolen dresses with a black apron, which almost completely copied the uniform of the Russian pre-revolutionary girls' gymnasium.

1973 – a new uniform for boys was introduced. Blue suit made of wool blend, decorated with an emblem and aluminum buttons. The cut of the jackets was reminiscent of classic denim jackets (the so-called denim fashion was gaining momentum in the world) with shoulder straps and chest pockets with brace-shaped flaps. For high school boys, the jacket was replaced with a jacket.

1988 - some schools were allowed to experiment with the idea of ​​waiving the compulsory wearing of school uniforms.

School uniforms in different countries.

In Japan, school uniforms have unexpectedly become the standard of teenage fashion. Now girls outside the school walls wear something that resembles the usual uniform of Japanese schoolgirls: “sailor fuku”, in our opinion - sailor suits, dark blue pleated miniskirts, knee-high knee-high socks and light leather shoes that harmonize with them. Boys wear “gakuran”: trousers and a dark jacket with a stand-up collar.

In America, school uniforms are worn by students of prestigious private schools for children of wealthy parents.

In Africa, schoolgirls are banned from wearing miniskirts.

Modern students in conservative England still love school uniforms, which are part of the history of their school. For example, in one of the old English schools for boys, students from the 17th century to this day wear uniform ties and vests and, by the way, are proud that their clothes emphasize their corporate affiliation.

The largest European country in which there is a school uniform is Great Britain. In many of its former colonies the uniform was not abolished after independence, for example in India, Ireland, Australia, Singapore and South Africa.

This is interesting. In Japan, they released jackets for students, equipped with a built-in GPS satellite navigation system. It allows parents to track the location of their children through their personal computers. The system has an important addition: if the child is threatened by someone or something, he can send an alarm to the security service by simply pressing a button.

In the USA and Canada, many private schools have school uniforms. Its main purpose is to serve as a symbol and identification mark that distinguishes students of one educational institution from another. There is no uniform in public schools, although some schools have a dress code. Too open tops and low-fitting trousers are prohibited.

In Cuba, uniforms are mandatory for all students in schools and higher education institutions.

Modern Russia.

In modern Russia there is no single school uniform, as there was in the USSR, but many lyceums and gymnasiums, especially the most prestigious ones, as well as some schools, have their own uniform, emphasizing the students’ belonging to a particular educational institution. In addition, in educational institutions that do not have a school uniform, there are rules for wearing clothes.

School and fashionable.

School uniform – this is not bad at all: as a sign of belonging to a certain community of people.

Form - an identification mark, a part of symbolism that distinguishes people of one profession, beliefs, from others. Most of the world's population who are of school age have worn, are wearing and will continue to wear a student uniform.

"Dress code" – a relatively new word, but it has already become fashionable, at least for those who work in an office. Literally means “clothing code,” that is, a system of identification marks, color combinations and shapes that indicate a person’s affiliation with a certain corporation. An employer can set its own rules: for example, women cannot come to work in trousers, or only in business suits, or skirts should be knee-length - neither shorter nor longer, loose uniform on Fridays, etc., etc. Many adult Russians have already joined the corporate spirit, but their children still go to school “in whatever they like” .

There is an opinion that school uniforms suppress the individuality of the student. However, a student’s self-affirmation at school should mainly occur through his creative and intellectual success.

Part 9. Summing up

School uniform. (pros)

A strict dress style creates a business atmosphere in the school necessary for classes.

Form disciplines a person.

A student in a school uniform thinks about studying, not about clothes.

There is no problem “What to wear to school.”

A school uniform helps a child feel like a student and a member of a certain team, and makes it possible to feel involved in this particular school.

If the child likes the clothes, he will feel proud of his appearance.

School uniforms save parents money.

School uniform. (minuses)

Children's reluctance to wear it.

"Loss of individuality."

Increased financial costs for a child's education.

The expenditure of time and effort of parents in connection with the acquisition of uniforms.

Now let’s return to our questions at the beginning of the teaching hour and tell me your opinion has changed towards school uniforms and you realized that everyone wears a school uniform and this is prestigious, relevant, necessary in our interesting modern world in the 21st century.

Conclusions: Drawing conclusions from the above, we note that a modern school uniform is a set of clothes and accessories that can be freely combined while remaining a school uniform. A school uniform accustoms people to a certain order and discipline, smoothes out social inequality, and makes it possible to realize that they belong to a certain group. It should be stylish, beautiful, and not destroy individuality. If a person is a person, then it is impossible to destroy his individuality. Pushkin, being a lyceum student, also wore a uniform.