Sinn Fein Foyle MLA Karen Mullan
SINN Féin Education Spokesperson Karen Mullan has said that school uniforms need to be affordable to every family.
Many low income families in Derry struggle each year to buy their children uniforms for schools because of the spiralling cost.
The Department of Education last month rowed back on plans to cut £3 million of assistance in school uniform grants.
The Foyle MLA said: “The cost of a school uniform in many schools is exorbitant and the price involved, which includes the need for a PE kit, is putting many families under severe financial pressure.
“It is especially affecting those who have several children at one school and actually influencing their choice of school.
“Apart from the identity benefit of having a uniform one of the other positive aspects is that regardless of the financial situation of a child’s family, they all dress the same.
“I have requested a meeting with the Education Authority to see what measures can be taken to ensure that school uniforms are accessible to every family.”
