My child’s not following school uniform rules, but school doesn’t seem to care: Hong Kong mother
Schools have different strictness levels for school uniform rules, and teenagers usually want to push the boundaries while conforming with their peer group, but inconsistent enforcement sends out the wrong message
My daughter started secondary school last year and often comes home with her skirt rolled over at the waist to make it shorter, a Hong Kong parent writes. She’s also started wearing make-up for school.
I think this gives off the wrong message but she says all the girls do it and the teachers don’t say anything. The school makes uniform rules but they don’t seem to follow up and there’s no consequences for breaking them.
The old stories of girls being made to kneel on the floor to check the length of their skirts may be vaguely amusing, if a little worrying, but some parents are concerned that things have gone too far in the other direction.
The style of, or strict adherence to a uniform is not necessarily the most important aspect of school life, but if there is an explicit uniform policy, then clearly it should be enforced. A slack attitude on the part of the school can send out negative messages about general expectations of behaviour and conduct.
What parents can do to help their kids get to school on time and be more organised
If students are not expected to follow uniform rules, why should they follow other rules? If pupils think they can get away with something, they will invariably try. In the eyes of adolescents, rules are there to be broken.