French Education Minister Gabriel Attal has expressed support for conducting a trial run of school uniforms or a dress code amidst an ongoing debate regarding the ban on abayas, the loose-fitting, full-length robes worn by some Muslim women, in state-run schools.
Although school uniforms have not been mandatory in French schools since 1968, they have periodically resurfaced on the political agenda, often advocated by conservative and far-right politicians.
Attal, who recently announced the ban on abayas in schools, stated during an interview with BFM TV that he would outline a timetable in the autumn for implementing a trial run of uniforms in schools willing to participate.
“I don’t think that the school uniform is a miracle solution that solves all problems related to harassment, social inequalities, or secularism,” he remarked. However, he emphasized the need to conduct experiments and try different approaches to stimulate debate on the matter.
France has enforced a ban on religious symbols in state schools since 2004, upholding its strict form of secularism known as “laicite.” This topic remains sensitive and frequently leads to political tensions in the country.
The concept of school uniforms is seen by some as a means to promote equality and eliminate distinctions based on social status and wealth. However, others argue that it is an unnecessary debate that detracts from more pressing issues such as discipline and harassment.
In January 2023, President Emmanuel Macron’s wife, Brigitte, expressed her support for school uniforms in an interview with Le Parisien newspaper. She highlighted the advantages of uniforms, including saving time and money, and emphasized the simplicity of the outfit.
“I am in favor of wearing a school uniform, but with a simple and not dull outfit,” she remarked, drawing from her own experience of wearing a navy blue skirt and sweater for 15 years as a student.
