What you said about Qld school student complaining about having to wear a skirt instead of pants

A female high school student who wore pants to school, prompting a discrimination complaint, has ultimately sparked fierce debate among Queenslanders. HAVE YOUR SAY

The girl and her family complained about being forced to wear a skirt to formal events. (File picture)

A female high school student who wore pants to school, prompting a discrimination complaint, has ultimately sparked fierce debate among Queenslanders.

The family, student and school involved cannot be identified for legal reasons, with the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal issuing an order prohibiting the publication of any identifying details as the female student was aged under 18.

The civil complaint stemmed from the school’s uniform policy requiring female students in Years 7-12 to wear a skirt to formal school occasions, including school ceremonies and events.

However male students could wear shorts or trousers to such occasions, both of which were part of their usual school uniform.

The policy affected the student – who had expressed a clear preference to her father to generally wear trousers at school for comfort and modesty – for about a year before she left the school.

According to QCAT documents, the family argued their daughter was treated less favourably than male students because she suffered a greater financial burden by having to purchase two sets of uniforms, had to take greater care when sitting to ensure the skirt properly covered her, and she would be cold in cooler weather compared to boys in their trousers.

The family further submitted that if their daughter failed to comply with the policy she faced exclusion or suspension, or other consequences not faced by male students, the QCAT decision said.

In response, the school argued that the student could apply for an exemption from the policy and described the allegations as offensive and baseless.

The school further submitted that the policy was consistent with community standards, and that most female students chose to wear skirts for everyday school wear anyway.

News of the claims sparked furious debate among readers, with about 57 per cent of voters in an online poll saying the policy is not discriminatory.

However many argued that modern students need to learn about rules and how to obey them.

Others claimed they should know what the policies are when they signed up.

Though some insisted that females wearing skirts is discrimination.

See what you had to say below and join the conversation >>>

Should girls and boys adhere to the same dress codes?

WHAT YOU SAID

I like rules

greg

I think it’s good schools have rules a lot off these don’t have rules at home

Kat

Poor kids of today having to abide by school rules. Just so unfair.

Carl

Follow school rules or leave. Thought her parents would have more sense.

Farmerp

When you sign on to school, you agree to certain things. Don’t like it, go somewhere else.

It's a good life lesson.

Get over it

Carnbee

Back in my day, when safety shoes and thence Hi-Vis and “corporate / logoed” work wear were introduced, there was always one or three employees who argued the toss. Eventually, all the molehill fuss evaporated.

Mark

Change schools if you don’t like it. Easy

Julie

our children need to learn at times they may have to wear certain apparel for business reasons. So get them disciplined now to what the real world will be like. Men have to wear ties for some formal events. Stop using the discrimination card and teach your child how to adapt when needed.

Steve

First world problem?

Debate has raged about the skirts furore.

Discrimination!

Bruce

It is discriminatory. There is no logical reason for either gender to be forced to wear a skirt. Formal trousers are fine. There was a time when slacks for women were frowned upon, but surely we have all grown up since those days.

Geoff2

Get rid of school uniforms. Problem solved.

Bluedog

Remember, when, Ladies wore Dress’s and Men wore Pants, nowadays, who or what is the question?

AOF

YES, this decision. is. absolutely. discriminatory, and should be. immediately appealed..!

Originally published as What you said about Qld school student complaining about having to wear a skirt instead of pants