Schools are being urged to organise second hand uniform sales in order to help with the rising cost of living.
Last week, parents called Lunchtime Live to complain that they were paying hundreds of euros for school uniforms - all for growing children who will only be able to fit into them for a few months anyway.
For mother of two and newspaper columnist, Joy-Tendai Kangere, the solution is second uniform sales - something that she says helps both the planet and parents’ bank balances:
“I know it’s not the first option for parents,” she told Newstalk Breakfast.
“Really… look at recycling and buying second hand uniforms which are readily available - especially those that are high quality.”
Her own children’s primary school regularly puts on such sales and she finds the items on donated are only of good quality:
“I know from my own experience that schools hold what are called ‘pre-loved uniforms sales’ where parents at the end of each year donate their school uniforms for children that are leaving the school or those that have got too small.
“These uniforms - which are still good quality - are sold at reduced prices and the money that is raised from those pre-loved uniform sales goes towards school activities.
“So [parents] save money by paying less than a quarter of what they pay in the shop, you’re sustaining the environment by reducing production costs, as well as donating to the school and bettering your child’s experience in the school.”
School children in uniform. Picture by: Danny Lawson/PA WireAbolish uniforms?
An alternative solution as put forward by one parent is for uniforms to be abolished entirely.
“It’s time for no uniforms,” Diarmaid told Newstalk.
“This topic comes up every year; I went to a school with no uniforms, my children never had uniforms.
“No one ever complained about it and no one ever talks about it.”
Most countries in Europe do not have school uniform, with Ireland, Britain and Malta the exceptions.
Main image: School uniform shopping. Picture by: Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland
