School uniforms and responsibilities

School uniforms are a hot topic on parent forums every year. The millions of dong spent on school uniforms, along with other expenses at the beginning of the school year, is a real concern for parents, especially those with limited incomes.

Ms. Tuyen, a parent in Ho Chi Minh City, estimated that the total cost of textbooks and uniforms for her two children at the beginning of the school year was nearly 4 million VND, not including the money needed for school meals and various other social subjects during the school year.

School uniforms come in a wide variety of styles. Some schools require only a white shirt and dark-colored pants (or skirts); others have their own specific uniform designs for weekdays, physical education, boarding school, etc., with the school logo always attached to the shirt. The millions of dong spent on school uniforms add to the already burdensome initial expenses of families.

Through discussions with numerous parents, students, administrators, and teachers, we've found that their primary concerns regarding school uniforms are: elegant and age-appropriate design; durable, breathable, and comfortable materials that allow for easy movement; and affordability and cost-effectiveness. Additionally, they desire long-term stability rather than annual changes that are costly, and the uniforms should be reusable. These are entirely legitimate expectations.

At a workshop on responsible consumer fashion held in Ho Chi Minh City yesterday (September 6), Pham Minh Trang, 18, a first-year student at Fulbright University Vietnam and a former student of the High School for the Gifted (Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City), presented a problem. For example, if there are approximately 17 million high school students nationwide, and each student buys 3-5 sets of uniforms per school year, then tens of millions of school uniforms are produced annually. However, these uniforms are only worn for a few years (during the students' schooling), and where do they end up at the end of their lifespan?

"Could it be that our uniforms will contribute to the 2.1 million tons of textile waste generated annually in Vietnam – a figure cited by the World Bank? I imagine a mountain of waste that will one day flow into the ocean, causing climate change, water pollution, and so on," Minh Trang said.

Associate Professor Bui Mai Huong, who works at the University of Technology (Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City), also shared her thoughts on school uniforms from a mother's perspective. Her child is also a student, and they have 4-5 uniforms each year. After her child finishes school, she only keeps one as a keepsake, and she doesn't know what to do with the rest. Therefore, besides the fact that the uniforms are beautiful and the children like to wear them because they are breathable and comfortable, she raises the issue of the environmental responsibility associated with school uniforms.

Solving this problem requires multiple parties. Manufacturers need to choose materials that ensure uniforms are durable, long-lasting, and easily recyclable. Schools, parents, and students need to be responsible consumers – choosing uniforms that can easily extend their lifespan, becoming versatile fashion items, not just something that looks nice but is "fast fashion" – something that is used quickly and discarded quickly, leading to waste and pollution.

Clearly, the purpose of school uniforms—to bridge gaps, create equality, and build student awareness and discipline—is undeniable. However, school uniforms also carry responsibilities that need to be carefully considered from multiple perspectives.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/dong-phuc-hoc-sinh-va-trach-nhiem-185250906221530175.htm