SIX in ten parents in Northern Ireland have said they are struggling to meet the costs of school uniforms, while nearly a third have had to borrow money.
A LucidTalk poll for Save the Children NI also found that some families were even having to cut back on food to make ends meet.
Nearly half (49 per cent) of those calling uniform costs a challenge were from better-off households, while 78 per cent said not enough was being done by authorities and almost three-quarters (73 per cent) of low-income households said it was difficult to cover the cost.
There was also an overwhelming consensus that schools should ensure parents have adequate choice of school uniforms/ PE kit (97 per cent), with 64 per cent supporting generic uniforms from high street shops to address the growing problem of affordability.
Read more
- Council and charities partner in school uniform re-use scheme
- Stormont urged to ‘step up' to help parents struggling with school uniform costs
One in ten of those surveyed also said their child had to miss school over issues related to uniform/PE kit, and 30 per cent had to borrow money to meet the costs.
Several parents spoke of the annual pressure they faced, with one stating: “It’s a debt I need to get every year to cover the cost”.
A grandparent also said they had to step in to assist financially for the first time.
“The cost to kit out three school age children has risen too much for their parents to afford. Too many items are school branded,” they said.
Save the Children’s NI Policy & Public Affairs Adviser, Naomi McBurney, said buying even the most basic items was putting more parents under strain.
“Meeting the cost of expensive school uniforms and PE kits should not be an additional worry,” she said.
“Much of the cost often relates to unnecessary branded and logoed items which parents are forced to purchase from limited suppliers. “
Calling for urgent action from the Department of Education, she said the right to an education should not be “overshadowed by an inability to afford uniforms”.
“The poll has shown there is an overwhelming need and appetite from both parents and the public for action to be taken.
"We would encourage all decision-making stakeholders to take heed and look at where costs can be reduced to ease the ever-growing pressure.”
