'Girls shouldn't have to wear skirts to school'
Two school girls from County Fermanagh are campaigning for legislation to force schools to offer girls a choice between skirts and trousers.
Rhea and Astrid successfully campaigned for Enniskillen Integrated Primary School to allow girls to wear trousers, and said it's "weird and unfair" that some schools still enforce skirts.
They are taking their case to Stormont's education committee on Tuesday afternoon as part of a hearing into broad changes to school uniform law.
Education Minister Paul Givan told BBC News NI the decision lies with individual schools and their boards of governors.
Some schools in Northern Ireland already allow girls to have a choice between trousers and skirts.
Enniskillen Integrated Primary were prompted to change their policy after Rhea and Astrid contacted Dr Mairead Ryan, whose research outlined a relation between school uniforms and physical activity.
In a letter to the school, Dr Ryan said: "Gendered uniforms can limit girls' movement and engagement in physical activities."
"Uniform items like dresses and skirts can restrict certain movements and inhibit young girls from climbing, jumping, and participating in other forms of active play that are crucial for their development," she added.
Rhea said: "I didn't really like being made to wear a skirt, it just felt wrong. It's 2025.
"It's quite hard to run around without your skirt blowing up in the wind," she added.
"All schools have the power to change it so if you have the power, then I think you probably should."
Astrid said: "I think its important to have the choice for our privacy and for our comfort.
"It's weird that some schools don't give you the choice to wear trousers. It's a bit old school."
Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster's The Nolan Show, Education Minister, Paul Givan, said: "Whenever it comes to decisions should I then give the legal right for a child to say I'm going to wear a school tie or not."
When challenged, he said "I'm widening it out, because it can't be taken in isolation between a trouser and a skirt."
The committee hearing on Tuesday will examine wide ranging changes proposed to the law around school uniforms.
It includes proposals to make school uniforms more affordable, and limiting the amount of branded items which parents and retailers have said drives up the cost.
Sports kits that 'don't last' push prices 'up and up and up'
Should there be a school uniform price limit?
Schools could be forced to explain uniform price under new law
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
'Girls shouldn't have to wear skirts to school'
Two school girls from County Fermanagh are campaigning for legislation to force schools to offer girls a choice between skirts and trousers. Rhea and Astrid successfully campaigned for Enniskillen Integrated Primary School to allow girls to wear trousers, and said it's "weird and unfair" that some schools still enforce skirts. They are taking their case to Stormont's education committee on Tuesday afternoon as part of a hearing into broad changes to school uniform law. Education Minister Paul Givan told BBC News NI the decision lies with individual schools and their boards of governors. Some schools in Northern Ireland already allow girls to have a choice between trousers and skirts. Enniskillen Integrated Primary were prompted to change their policy after Rhea and Astrid contacted Dr Mairead Ryan, whose research outlined a relation between school uniforms and physical activity. In a letter to the school, Dr Ryan said: "Gendered uniforms can limit girls' movement and engagement in physical activities." "Uniform items like dresses and skirts can restrict certain movements and inhibit young girls from climbing, jumping, and participating in other forms of active play that are crucial for their development," she added. Rhea said: "I didn't really like being made to wear a skirt, it just felt wrong. It's 2025. "It's quite hard to run around without your skirt blowing up in the wind," she added. "All schools have the power to change it so if you have the power, then I think you probably should." Astrid said: "I think its important to have the choice for our privacy and for our comfort. "It's weird that some schools don't give you the choice to wear trousers. It's a bit old school." Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster's The Nolan Show, Education Minister, Paul Givan, said: "Whenever it comes to decisions should I then give the legal right for a child to say I'm going to wear a school tie or not." When challenged, he said "I'm widening it out, because it can't be taken in isolation between a trouser and a skirt." The committee hearing on Tuesday will examine wide ranging changes proposed to the law around school uniforms. It includes proposals to make school uniforms more affordable, and limiting the amount of branded items which parents and retailers have said drives up the cost. Sports kits that 'don't last' push prices 'up and up and up' Should there be a school uniform price limit? Schools could be forced to explain uniform price under new law
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
'Girls shouldn't have to wear skirts to school'
Two school girls from County Fermanagh are campaigning for legislation to force schools to offer girls a choice between skirts and trousers. Rhea and Astrid successfully campaigned for Enniskillen Integrated Primary School to allow girls to wear trousers, and said it's "weird and unfair" that some schools still enforce skirts. They are taking their case to Stormont's education committee on Tuesday afternoon as part of a hearing into broad changes to school uniform law. Education Minister Paul Givan told BBC News NI the decision lies with individual schools and their boards of governors. Some schools in Northern Ireland already allow girls to have a choice between trousers and skirts. Enniskillen Integrated Primary were prompted to change their policy after Rhea and Astrid contacted Dr Mairead Ryan, whose research outlined a relation between school uniforms and physical activity. In a letter to the school, Dr Ryan said: "Gendered uniforms can limit girls' movement and engagement in physical activities." "Uniform items like dresses and skirts can restrict certain movements and inhibit young girls from climbing, jumping, and participating in other forms of active play that are crucial for their development," she added. Rhea said: "I didn't really like being made to wear a skirt, it just felt wrong. It's 2025. "It's quite hard to run around without your skirt blowing up in the wind," she added. "All schools have the power to change it so if you have the power, then I think you probably should." Astrid said: "I think its important to have the choice for our privacy and for our comfort. "It's weird that some schools don't give you the choice to wear trousers. It's a bit old school." Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster's The Nolan Show, Education Minister, Paul Givan, said: "Whenever it comes to decisions should I then give the legal right for a child to say I'm going to wear a school tie or not." When challenged, he said "I'm widening it out, because it can't be taken in isolation between a trouser and a skirt." The committee hearing on Tuesday will examine wide ranging changes proposed to the law around school uniforms. It includes proposals to make school uniforms more affordable, and limiting the amount of branded items which parents and retailers have said drives up the cost. Sports kits that 'don't last' push prices 'up and up and up' Should there be a school uniform price limit? Schools could be forced to explain uniform price under new law
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
MSPCA to waive adoption fee for farm animals this weekend
METHUEN, Mass. (WPRI) — The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) is waiving adoption fees for dozens of farm animals this weekend in an effort to free up space at Nevins Farm. This comes after 147 farm animals, including pigs, goats, chickens, geese, ducks, cattle, horses, donkeys and dogs, were removed from a single property in Franklin County back in April. The MSPCA said some of those farm animals have given birth since arriving at Nevins Farm, meaning capacity and resources are stretched thin. 'All told, we ended up with more than 150 animals from this case,' MSPCA-Angell's Mike Keiley said. 'Obviously following that kind of intake, our resources are really being pushed to the brink.' RELATED: MSPCA rehabilitating severely emaciated horse 'This was a massive undertaking — we took in an entire farm at one time and moved it to Methuen,' he continued. 'It was all hands on deck … Bringing in close to a dozen different species, including cattle and horses, and housing them is incredibly complicated.' Keiley estimated that there are currently more than 300 animals living at Nevins Farm. 'We need to find homes for a lot of these animals and fast,' Keiley said. 'We typically see more cases of neglect in turbulent economic times and, given what we're already seeing with the increasing costs of hay and feed, I expect more animals will need to come to Nevins soon.' 'But we won't have space for them unless we're able to adopt out many of the animals already in our care,' he added. The Franklin County property was also where Astrid, a 2-year-old Percheron Filly, was discovered lying down in a field. 'Astrid was in dire need of medical attention when she came to us, and she ended up needing to spend more than a week in the hospital,' Keiley said. Keiley said the young horse is doing well and will be available for adoption soon. But her prolonged hospitalization, on top of caring for the other farm animals removed from the property, has already cost Nevins Farm roughly $25,000. 'The costs are adding up quickly,' Keiley said. The investigation into the farm animals' former owner is ongoing. It's unclear whether any charges have been filed. The MSPCA will be waiving adoption fees for pigs, goats, chickens and other fowl June 7 and 8. Keiley said the goal is to adopt out about 120 farm animals in just two days. 'It's a huge goal, but it's what we need to do in order to be there for the next animals who need us,' he said. Those interested in adopting are encouraged to register in advance and swing by the farm either day between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Anyone who wants to donate to the farm animals' care can do so online at any time. Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
