Cyprus-Forum.com

[Sotos]

PUPILS’ Union PSEM will meet with the Education Ministry today for discussions concerning appearance and uniform.

Pupils had threatened a two-hour boycott of class scheduled for yesterday, but following a meeting on Thursday afternoon, decided to suspend the action due to the Ministry’s willingness to discuss their demands.

The pupils are requesting that a final decision be made within the next 15 days on what the school uniform should be, that any expulsions of pupils over uniform issues be rescinded and that the meaning of “decent appearance” be defined.

“Head masters are asked to stop being occupied with minor appearance details, such as how long a pupil’s hair is and whether he is shaved or not,” read a statement issued by PSEM yesterday.

Teachers’ union OELMEK and secondary parents’ associations will also attend.

A spokesman for the Education Ministry told the Cyprus Mail that all internal school issues were discussed by the schools’ teachers, pupils and parents under new regulations.

The more liberal regime also sees each school deciding its own rules concerning appearance and uniform.

“The Ministry’s role in today’s discussion is to ensure that legislation has been adhered to. If pupils have been expelled due to appearance while their school hasn’t yet defined what ‘decent appearance’ is, then the Ministry will look into it,” the Ministry source said.

But pupils want a more general definition of the word ‘decency’, PSEM president Soteris Xenofontos said yesterday.

“Obviously each headmaster has his own definition of the word ‘decency’ because of his morals and beliefs. We want a broader definition of the word so that it is fair on all schools.”

The matter of expulsions is not only unfair on students, he claimed, but also illegal.
“If these uniform-related expulsions are kept, then the Ministry is breaking the law. New legislation clearly states that uniform and appearance is to be agreed on by each school’s teacher, pupil and parent committees. If headmasters, using their own definition of uniform and appearance, have expelled pupils, then they have breached legislation.”

The situation can’t go on as it is, says Acropolis Lyceum student Elena Chimonidou. “Teachers are too strict on the subject of uniforms. Pupils are getting very tired of constantly being approached because either their jumper is not of the right material or shade of blue.”

It is also unfair, she added, that boys are being expelled at Acropolis if their hair is not short enough. “At the Pancyprian Lyceum boys are allowed to have shoulder-length hair. In our school, boys are expelled if it’s bellow the ears.”

OELMEK is in total agreement with the pupils’ demands, the union’s Secretary Giorgos Zisimos said yesterday.

“We divide the matter of appearance into two basic categories: hair and uniform. As far as hair is concerned, we completely agree with PSEM that teachers should stop being so preoccupied with length. And the subject of uniforms will be decided and agreed on by all parties involved.”

[cypezokyli]

its a matter that was discussed over and over again. the real reason that we continue having students uniform is that our society is concervative to its roots. its one of the things that we could learn sth from greece. who knows one day perhaps we will grow up. and i wonder then what will all those teachers do to use their time in school. perhaps educate wouldnt be such a bad idea

[davidp]

I think that appearance in certain areas is important, school uniform standards should be adhered to, after leaving school the students have the rest of their lives to rebels.

[cypezokyli]

in what way is appearence important?
if they dont rebel when they are 16 when are they? in their 40s?

[Sotos]

cypezokyli, have you seen schools in Greece? I don't think we should use Greece as an example here!!

[cypezokyli]

yea i guess u r right.
but do you think that has to do with them not having uniform?

we have uniform and the results are obvious...kids are beating up the teachers. that was our purpose isnt it? discipline

[Piratis]

we have uniform and the results are obvious...kids are beating up the teachers. that was our purpose isnt it? discipline

Well, I know this person that got killed in a traffic accident while he was wearing his seat belt. Wasn't the purpose of the seat belt to save lives?
(I am not saying that you are wrong in this particular case. However the argument that you make is not valid)

I think uniform is good. All students dress in the same way. And this has some benefits the way I see it:
1) School uniform is relatively cheap.
2) Rich and poor look the same
3) No need to waste time on choosing clothes
4) It makes it easier to spot non students that enter schools with bad intentions

That said I think the uniform could become more flexible. For example the girls should be allowed to wear pants, a plain white or blue t-shirt could replace the shirt, and short uniform pants could be an option for the summer.

In case of hair etc, I think they could be more flexible than they are now, but not totally unrestricted.

[cypezokyli]

Well, I know this person that got killed in a traffic accident while he was wearing his seat belt. Wasn't the purpose of the seat belt to save lives?
(I am not saying that you are wrong in this particular case. However the argument that you make is not valid)

hey piratis, beautiful counter-argument. u got me on that one. nothing to answer back

u know the counterargument i guess for the reason of not having uniforms.
the kids are not stupid they know who is rich and who is poor.
the school then prepares you for the real world.
if u do it for your whole life then u dont spend that much time on what you would decide to wear everyday.
its good that u didnt mention discipline bc that argument drives me crazy.
do u know any country in europe that still have school uniforms?
only the ex-communist countries had and removed them after democratisation.

by the way, the biggest problem with it, it is that it is forced. in germany there were a couple of schools were students just to have a feeling of unity of being in the same school they have decided to wear uniform without that being a law. and then it becomes sth like patriotism or fashion everyone who wants to belong -wears it. BUT, noone is punished for not wearing it.

but at first stage, till our society comes to thing a little bit more european i guess your proposals should be a first step.

hey, do you have school uniforms in the north by the way?

[dms007]

I think the students should stop worring about their clothes, the hair .... etc and start concentrating on their studies.
I dont think the kids spend as much time studying as they spend for any other activity.

[Svetlana]

Hi dms

I am worrying about you; you say things like my father used to say - but you are only 26 years old!

But you are right of course.

Lana