Should students be required to wear uniforms at school???

When I was in school, I used to be a debater in Bahasa Melayu. Whenever there's a parliamentary debate competition, all the debaters have to prepare for the topic given. In a debate competition, there are 2 sides; government and opposition. We have to prepare all the points for both sides because the sides we have to represent only decided on the day of the competition. I still can remember spending most of time in library just to find any information regarding the topic. It was really an unforgettable memory for me. I love to debate and now I yearn to debate again.

So, as a former debater I've chosen a topic which is "should students be required to wear uniforms at school" to be debated. I'll represent the opposition and I believe that students should NOT be required to wear uniforms at school. I also will provide some possible arguments from the government.

I will begin with the history of school uniform in Malaysia. Malaysia introduced Western style school uniforms in the late 19th century during British colonial era until post-independence. Today, school uniforms are almost universal in the public and private school systems. The current Malaysian school uniforms are compulsory for all students attending public schools.(WIKIPEDIA)

Wearing school uniforms can help to reduce discipline problems and violence. I strongly disagree with that statement. I think wearing school uniforms lead to more rule breaking. Students will feel unsatisfied and become rebellious. This happen when they are forced to do something they don't like such as being told to tuck in their shirts. Nowadays in Malaysia, we are having more and more involvement by students in criminal cases. As for evidence, recently a car of a school teacher was burnt by her students. This doesn't show how school uniforms reduce discipline problems and violence. Just because you change someones clothes, doesn't mean that you change their personality. It's like taking a bunch of convicts and making them all wear uniforms, does that really solve anything. Does it change who they are? Are they any less of a murderer than before they wore the uniform?

Second argument, wearing school uniforms is more affordable for parents as the price is cheaper. I object this statement with all my heart. There are many types of school uniforms from different brand. The cheapest usually made up from low quality fabric; doesn't last long and tear easily. If this type of fabric frequently washed, it won't last long. As result, parents have to buy new uniforms although the old one just newly bought. Furthermore, some students are more comfortable in a specific material. Some students cannot wear material made up from cotton because it can cause itchiness. Students need to feel comfort in order to concentrate their studies. So, they have to find alternative way like send their preferable clothes to the tailor which will cost hundreds ringgit. In addition, students have to wear school uniforms for 5 days. So, they suppose to have at least 2 sets of uniforms. Well, is it true school uniforms are cheap? On top of that, students can't use their school uniforms outside the school. So, parents have to buy other clothes for their children. Just imagine how much will it cost for 2 sets of uniform plus with a few types of ordinary clothes for their children? This should be no problem for people who are wealthy, but what about the poors? Thus, students should never be required to wear school uniforms.

Lastly, wearing school uniforms can improve social outcome. Again, I strongly object this statement. Wearing school uniforms making hard for teachers to see the real individuality of their students. Today, teenagers especially always try to express themselves through what they are wearing. To being required to wear school uniforms violated their right to do that because they are not allowed to show their personalities. This can make them to feel uneasy or lazy to go to school. What will happen if they don't go to school? Who will be the future leaders?

As conclusion, I strongly believed that students should NOT be required to wear uniforms at school based on the above reasons.



Personally, I hate to wear school uniforms. Now whenever I see school pupils with their uniforms, I'll be laughing in my heart and say how lucky I am now, don't have to wear those ugly uniforms again. Hehehehe...