2LT National News

Whether schools should mandate a uniform is a controversial issue. Some believe wearing the same clothes smooths out inequality. Others see uniforms as authoritarian; believing them a symbol of repression, stifling freedom of thought and individuality.

We asked five experts from various fields whether school uniforms should be compulsory. Rather surprisingly, among the experts at least, there was little division.

Four out of five experts said no

Here are their detailed responses:

If you have a “yes or no” education question you’d like posed to Five Experts, email your suggestion to: sasha.petrova@theconversation.edu.au

Disclosures: Renae Barker is the Diocesan Advocate of the Anglian Diocese of Bunbury and advises the Bishop, Bishop in Council, Trustees and Synod on matters of Church law.

Authors: Sasha Petrova – Section Editor: Education | Jeffrey Thomas – Lecturer in Behaviour Management, University of Tasmania | Peter Wilson – Professor of Developmental Psychology, Australian Catholic University | Renae Barker – Lecturer in Law, University of Western Australia | Sue Roffey – Honorary Associate Professor, School of Education, University of Exeter | Victoria Rawlings – Academic Fellow, University of Sydney School of Education and Social Work, University of Sydney