Northern Ireland schools to offer girls trousers under revised uniform guidelines

Schools in Northern Ireland will be required to give girls the option of wearing trousers as part of their uniform and for PE and games under revised guidelines announced by Education Minister Paul Givan.

The changes, due to take effect next year, will prevent schools from prohibiting female pupils from wearing trousers. They will not apply immediately, giving schools time to update their policies.

The Northern Ireland Department of Education has been under pressure from young campaigners and political parties to strengthen the rules. A law passed last year gave girls the right to challenge bans on trousers, but did not require every school to offer the option.

Givan said the revision was intended to balance school autonomy with departmental guidance. He said he had listened to young people who wanted the choice to wear trousers as part of their school uniform.

Opposition MLAs welcomed the announcement but criticised the minister over the delay. Alliance MLA Nick Mathison said the decision represented a reversal of the previous position, while Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason said the right to wear trousers should not have required further legislative pressure.

The revised guidelines are expected to take effect next year, although the precise date has not been specified.