Sydney mum shows who wears the pants, winning school uniform battle with her daughter’s school

EXCLUSIVE: A SYDNEY mother has won a battle to get her school to provide pants for girls, with the lack of the gender-neutral uniform as ‘bloody ridiculous’.

Claire Mibus, 11, from Riverstone, who attends John Palmer Public School, in her school uniform with pants. Picture: Justin Lloyd

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A SYDNEY mother has won a battle to get her school to provide pants for girls, as the education minister has called it “bloody-ridiculous” not to have the gender-neutral option in uniforms.

However Rob Stokes stopped short of saying he would change the state’s uniform policy so it is mandatory for a unisex option to be available in all public schools.

Last year Melissa Mibus put in a “conscientious objection” at John Palmer Public School so her two daughters could wear pants during winter, but they were then singled out with bullying and teasing for being different.

She took the matter to the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board who referred her to not-for-profit law and policy organisation the Public Interest Advocacy Group so the matter could be taken further.

Melissa Mibus with her daughter Claire. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Ms Mibus has now settled confidentially and the school has agreed to change its policy next year to provide a trouser and shorts option, after previously only allowing tunics or summer dresses for its female students.

However Ms Mibus and PIAC have now written to the education minister urging him to introduce a gender-neutral policy for all NSW public schools — like Queensland already has.

She said they were now facing the same issue for high school, where shorts for girls wasn’t an option during summer.

“I’m very pleased John Palmer has changed its uniform policy to include pants and shorts for girls, but I would like it to go further,” she said.

Education Minister Rob Stokes said he agreed girls should be able to wear pants, but felt the current policy was good enough.

Claire Mibus, 11, has won the right to wear pants at her school. Picture: Justin Lloyd

“It’s bloody ridiculous. Girls should have the option to wear shorts or pants as uniform to schools if they want to. It’s just common sense,” he said.

“The department’s policy already enables schools to choose shorts or pants as part of the school uniform for girls in consultation with parents/school community.

“I am advised there was no need to change the department’s policy for this issue as the school, John Palmer Public School, made changes to their uniform for girls under the existing departmental policy.”

PIAC CEO Jonathan Hunyor disagreed: “It’s hard to believe that Ms Mibus had to take legal action so that girls at John Palmer Public School could wear regulation school pants or shorts without having to seek special permission.”

“We are hoping the Minister will step in and ensure that all students, no matter which public school they attend, have a full choice of practical and comfortable uniform options.”

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A NSW education department spokesman said schools developed their own uniforms in consultation with their community.

“When developing their uniform, schools must take into consideration economic, personal, social and cultural factors affecting students and their families,” he said.

The spokesman said the current policy required uniforms to: “meet the requirements of occupational health and safety, anti-discrimination and equal opportunity legislation”.