A group representing parents in Northern Ireland have welcomed news that Stormont's Education Minister wants to introduce statutory guidance to schools here on uniforms, which could include a "crucial" price cap.
It comes as many families struggle with household bills as a result of increasing food, fuel, energy bills and rising inflation.
All of this is putting pressure on household budgets prior to the new academic year as parents and carers are facing the purchase of new uniforms, PE kits, trainers, and school shoes.
Read more: Minister urged to further increase school uniform grant amid rising costs
Recent research from the Parents Engagement Group (PEG) shows that in Northern Ireland, the average cost of a post-primary school uniform is £378. This equates to over a quarter of a parent's August salary being spent on one child’s post primary uniform.
The results also show the use of unnecessary branded sports wear, obscure colours and specific items that can only be purchased from a limited number of suppliers, which the parents group said is further driving up the cost.
Education Minister Michelle McIlveen recently announced that the school uniform grant will increase by 20% this year.
The increased grants now mean parents of post-primary children can get £67.20 for school uniform plus £26.40 for PE kit while primary aged kids will get £42.90. In Scotland the post-primary grant is £150 while in Wales it is between £125 and £200 depending on the year group. In the Republic the post-primary grant is €275.
Campaigners from the PEG have welcomed a further announcement that Minister McIlveen intends on introducing statutory guidance, something they say they've been calling for since PEG was formed last year.
Ms McIlveen has said that she is seeking legal advice on whether she can introduce a price cap on the cost, something which Naomi McBurney from the group believes is crucial.
"We are currently experiencing how schools have chosen to ignore the guidance and the impact this has upon families. By introducing a price cap all parents are protected from excessively priced uniforms," she told Belfast Live.
Earlier this week it emerged that about a quarter of post-primary schools in Northern Ireland are benefiting financially, or in kind, from directing students to buy specific PE wear from certain branded sportswear companies.
"We need to ensure that parents no longer have to prop up schools' reduced budgets and a price cap is a proven way of doing that," Ms McBurney added.
"We need to see the needs of children, young people and parents put first and that means statutory guidance with a built in realistic price cap, a review of the school uniform grant and eligibility criteria, and a more flexible approach from schools that ensures children are not facing barriers to their education."
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Department of Education said: “The Minister understands the challenges faced by families in relation to the cost of living and the pressures associated with school uniform costs. The Minister has commended the schools that have taken action to reduce costs, but expressed her disappointment at those that have failed to take action in line with the department’s guidance on this issue.
“The Minister has therefore instructed officials to identify an approach that will seek to ensure, on a statutory basis, that schools are required to make their uniforms more affordable for families.
“As we work through this process, the views of all interested parties including parents, pupils and schools will play an important role in seeking to reduce the costs of school uniforms for families.”
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