Education Minister mandates trousers for girls in school uniforms starting 2027
Education Minister Paul Givan announced that, under new legally binding guidance, schools must allow girls to wear trousers as part of their uniform and PE from the 2027/28 academic year.
Paul Givan, the Education Minister, confirmed that new departmental guidance will obligate all schools to include trousers in girls' uniform options, covering both everyday wear and physical-education attire, effective from the 2027/28 school year. The Department of Education said the policy, backed by the School Uniforms Act, seeks to lower uniform costs and prioritize comfort, practicality and sustainability. Givan explained that extensive consultation with young people showed a strong demand for this choice.
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason welcomed the shift but labeled it an "embarrassing U-turn" after previous resistance by the DUP. Ulster Unionist leader Jon Burrows praised the outcome as pragmatic and common-sense. Schools must also provide a rationale if they exclude trousers for specific sports, and the guidance lists acceptable alternatives such as tracksuit bottoms, leggings, shorts or skorts.
Why it matters
The ruling guarantees gender-neutral uniform options, affecting millions of students and setting a precedent for school policy across the region.
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