Girls guaranteed choice to wear trousers at school as Burrows welcomes Givan change

Girls across Northern Ireland will be guaranteed the choice to wear trousers as part of their school uniform under revised legally binding guidelines issued by Education Minister Paul Givan.

Ulster Unionist Party leader and Education spokesperson Jon Burrows MLA has welcomed the move as a “common-sense outcome”, while claiming the Minister could have resolved the issue earlier without the Education Committee having to pursue legislation.

The revised Department of Education guidelines will require school uniform policies from the 2027/28 school year onwards to include the option for girls to wear trousers throughout the year, including for PE and Games.

Burrows welcomes ‘common-sense outcome’

Mr Burrows said the decision brings schools into line with a choice already routinely available to women in the workplace.

“This is a common-sense outcome. Girls have that choice in the workplace, and it is only right that they have it at school.

“The Minister could and should have resolved this through school uniform guidance during the last Assembly session. Instead, he resisted and forced the Education Committee to legislate. His change of heart is welcome, even if overdue.”

The intervention follows months of political and legislative discussion over whether pupils should have an explicit right to wear trousers.

The Assembly’s Education Committee introduced a School Uniforms (Trousers) Bill in June with the stated purpose of permitting all pupils to wear trousers as part of their school uniform.

The Bill sought to amend the existing School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Act (Northern Ireland) 2026 and establish the choice in law.

Mr Burrows said he had worked to keep the proposed legislation focused on the practical question of allowing girls to wear trousers.

“I worked pragmatically to keep the legislation focused on the practical issue at hand, giving girls the choice to wear trousers, rather than introducing references to gender-neutral clothing.

“I listened to girls and supported change from the outset in the interests of choice, comfort and practicality.

“This is a positive outcome for girls, parents and schools.”

Givan: ‘Girls want the choice’

Announcing the revised guidelines, Education Minister Paul Givan said he had listened to the views expressed by young people in recent months.

“I have listened carefully over recent months to young people and the message is clear: girls want the choice to wear trousers as part of their school uniform.

“There is always a balance to be struck between the autonomy of schools to determine their uniform policy and the level of prescription in Departmental guidelines. However, this issue really matters to many young people. After careful consideration, I have, therefore acted to remove any uncertainty for pupils, parents and schools.”

The revised guidelines mean schools will no longer have discretion over whether girls are offered trousers as a uniform option.

From the 2027/28 school year, their policies must provide that choice throughout the school year, including for PE and Games.

Mr Givan added:

“The revised guidelines will guarantee that girls have the option to wear trousers in every school. My Department will continue to engage with and support schools as they implement the new requirements.”

Wider changes to school uniforms

The development forms part of wider changes to school uniform rules in Northern Ireland.

The School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Act (Northern Ireland) 2026 received Royal Assent in February and replaced the previous non-statutory approach with guidelines schools are legally required to follow.

The wider framework places increased emphasis on affordability, comfort, practicality and accessibility when schools devise and review their uniform policies.

It also gives the Department powers to act where schools materially fail to adhere to the statutory guidelines.

The separate trousers issue subsequently became the subject of proposed legislation from the Assembly Education Committee, which sought to create a universal statutory right for pupils to wear trousers.

The Minister’s revised guidelines now provide schools and families with clarity ahead of the requirement taking effect for the 2027/28 school year.

The School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Act (Northern Ireland) 2026 and the Department’s school uniform guidelines are available through the Department of Education website.