Girls given legal right to wear trousers in schools in Northern Ireland

Girls in Northern Ireland are to be given the legal right to wear trousers in school if they wish to do so.

Revising guidelines, Education Minister Paul Givan said that, from the start of the 2027/2028 academic year, schools will be banned from prohibiting girls wearing trousers.

There are already laws on school uniform in Northern Ireland, and Givan had previously said they give girls the legal authority to challenge their schools. Education committee members, however, had called on the minister to go further.

Some assembly members have now accused the minister of making a "U-turn", with "substantial sums of public money" spent on drafting legislation "to fix his error of judgement".

Guidelines 'legally binding'

It comes after assembly members passed a new law last year, aimed at addressing the cost of school uniforms in Northern Ireland - with these updated guidelines on wearing trousers now legally binding under the School Uniforms Act.

Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster's The Nolan Show, Givan said the change would come into immediate effect ahead of the next academic year.

"I don't need to go through the assembly to give effect to this," he said.

"Today, I am taking that decision, that will be formally communicated, schools will be hearing from me, and as of the next academic year...schools will be required that this has to be available if it is requested upon."

The minister explained that this change will not apply during the 2026/27 academic year, in order to allow schools to change their uniform policies.

Givan added that the change will also apply to physical education.

'Embarassing U-turn'

In a statement, Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason described Givan's decision as a "welcome but embarrassing U-turn".

"This is an important win for girls and for all those who campaigned for this simple choice," she said.

"The minister had the opportunity to guarantee this right in his own school uniforms legislation but failed to do so. It should not have required further legislation from the Education Committee to force movement on something so basic."

Mason added that girls' right to wear trousers "should never have been controversial and it should not have taken this long".

"We welcome that the minister has finally acted and will be watching closely to ensure he follows through and that girls are not let down."

'Error of judgement'

In a statement, Alliance's education spokesperson, and chair of the Education Committee, Nick Mathison also described the decision as a "U-turn".

"I want to thank all of the young campaigners who have been bravely raising their voices about this, and whose dedication will lead to seeing this wrong righted," he said.

"The committee will be doing their full due diligence to guarantee the wording used in this update will ensure all girls are granted the right to wear trousers as part of their school uniform."

Mathison added: "Minister Givan will have to explain why he took so long to move on this issue. Substantial sums of public money have been spent on drafting legislation to fix his error of judgement, and we have said all along that he could have avoided this with the stroke of a pen."

A statement published on the Department of Education website said: "The guidelines issued today stipulate that school uniform policies for the 2027/28 school year onwards must include the option for girls to wear trousers throughout the school year, including for PE and Games.

"The guidelines are legally binding under the School Uniforms Act which came into operation earlier this year."

It added: "The Act is designed to help reduce the cost of school uniforms and ensure that affordability, comfort, practicality and sustainability are at the centre of school uniform policies."