Marina barmani "historical cities of Russia", continued. Features of school uniforms from around the world

School uniform - is it good? Does it help to unite the class and maintain discipline, or does it kill individuality and the possibility of self-expression? Much depends on the traditions of education adopted in a particular country or in different schools.

Obviously, uniform alone will not make a student more inquisitive, more industrious, or smarter. And it is pointless to refer to the experience of English educational institutions with a five-century history as an argument "for" the form. Even if all the kids wear wizard robes and pointy hats, their school won't turn into Hogwarts. Nevertheless, the way schoolchildren look in a particular country says a lot about the culture and mentality of its people.

Christ's Hospital School. Photo from studentinfo.net

Great Britain

The very concept of "school uniform" appeared in the UK. Back in 1553, near London, Christ's Hospital School was founded by royal decree - an educational institution for boys from poor families, which to this day is called the "school of blue coats." True, now it is a privileged educational institution for children of both sexes. The uniform is still the same: long tailcoats, white "judge" ties, short culottes and yellow stockings. Oddly enough, children are proud of their medieval attire and do not try to make a revolution in order to dress appropriately for the era.

In general, there are very few schools in the UK that do not have a compulsory form. Public schools have their own "heraldic colors" that students must follow. It is not uncommon for boys to wear shorts and stockings until late autumn until high school. In private institutions, you need to buy a uniform in a store at the school, and not only a suit in the winter and summer versions, but also physical education, socks, ties, often shoes and even hairpins.

School uniform in Cuba. Photo from https://arnaldobal.wordpress.com/2011/03/24/cuba-es-la-poesia/

Cuba

Cuban schoolchildren receive sundresses and shorts of rich cherry color for free - as well as textbooks and stationery. The outfit of high school students is designed in tobacco colors. Closer to the graduation, the Cubans change clothes again, this time in blue shirts and blue trousers and skirts. All children are members of the youth division of the Communist Party, so the uniform is complemented by red or blue scarves - in the manner of pioneer ties.

India

In some schools, the uniform for girls is a sari or shalwar kameez of a certain color. But more often it is a European costume for everyone - a legacy of the British Raj. Alas, what is good for the cool climate of "Foggy Albion" pretty much poisons the lives of children whose schools are located on the equator. Sikh boys wear turbans to school. In public schools, children from low-income families receive uniforms, textbooks and stationery for free, but probably every parent dreams of sending their child to a better school, although by Indian standards this is quite an expensive pleasure.

Japanese schoolchildren. Photo from http://vobche.livejournal.com/70900.html

Japan

The most famous version of the Japanese school uniform for girls is the "sailor fuku", a sailor suit with many variations. The best designers are working on the development of models - after all, a spectacular uniform is one of the factors in attracting new students to the school, which is extremely important in a rapidly aging country with a negative population growth. Recently, the trend has changed - sailor suits are losing relevance, Japanese school style is drifting towards English.

An interesting story happened with a traditional men's jacket with a stand-up collar - gakuran, reminiscent of an old sailor's tunic. The word "gakuran" consists of two hieroglyphs that mean "student" and "West", jackets of this style were worn by schoolchildren and students in Japan, Korea and China for almost 100 years (less in China, of course). But gakuran also fell in love with members of numerous bandit associations. In addition, the same hieroglyphs can be deciphered as "school robbery." In the 70s of the XX century, psychologists decided that gakuran has a certain "dark aura" and is one of the causes of school violence, which has become an acute social problem. But to this day, many Japanese schoolchildren wear gakuran, for them it is not so much a tribute to tradition as a protest and a challenge to public opinion.

School uniform in Korea. Photo from the site http://history.kz/8315/8315

North Korea

White top, dark bottom and scarlet tie - this is what young followers of the Juche ideas should look like.

Chinese students. Photo from the site http://rusrep.ru/article/2013/12/17/

China

After the end of the Cultural Revolution and until the mid-90s of the 20th century, a variety of colors and styles reigned in the country - each school decided for itself how its students would look. However, in 1993, new state standards for school uniforms came out, from now on it had to provide freedom of movement, be practical and cheap. And it turned out that the easiest way is to dress children in tracksuits - both boys and girls. Only prestigious private schools insisted on following the British or Japanese style.

Since heating in educational institutions is only in the very north of the country, in the cold season, children pull their uniforms over warm clothes, but when the sun begins to warm up, pants and sweatshirts turn out to be a size or two larger. To date, most Chinese schools have opted for the “bag of flour.” It must be said that neither the students nor their parents liked this “fashion trend”. Influenced by public opinion, and also after several scandals when carcinogens were found in cheap fabric, the Chinese government returned to the issue of school uniforms and again changed the standards towards ease. So soon, Chinese children will again look not like juvenile gopniks.

School uniform in Australia. Photo from https://www.flickr.com/photos/pbouchard/5168061145

Australia

Junior classes are usually dressed in standard polo shirts and shorts, and both girls and boys are comfortable for active games. Private schools follow the British tradition and dress up children in business style. However, in general, Australian school clothes are devoid of elegance and hints of sexuality. It is believed that somewhat baggy dresses and heavy lace-up shoes are designed to scare off pedophiles.

School uniform in Ireland. Photo from https://kristina-stark.livejournal.com/40071.html

Ireland

Many schools have adopted plaid skirts and ties, which evoke associations with the Celtic clans. Instead of strict jackets, as a rule, students wear knitted jumpers and cardigans. It is noteworthy that Irish children, as well as English ones, even at sub-zero temperatures wear uniform knee-highs.

Germany

Perhaps the Germans are stopped by memories of the times of the Third Reich, when almost all children came to classes in the form of the Hitler Youth, but in Germany there is no form in public schools, although there have been debates on this issue for many years, and in some places it is introduced without prior notice. By the way, immigrants from the USSR who moved to German lands became great opponents of the unification of schoolchildren's clothes. On the other hand, individual school councils can make decisions about branded school colors with the wish that at least something in the students' everyday attire matches the brand book.

School uniform in Malaysia. Photo from the site https://ru.insider.pro/lifestyle/2016-12-12/vsyo-chego-vy-ne-znali-o-malajzii/

Malaysia

In Muslim countries, the school uniform for girls is a hijab of varying degrees of severity. However, the people of Malaysia are not fundamentalists, moreover, the country is very international, multilingual and tries to adhere to a pro-Western course. Muslim women wear elongated tunics, for students from secular families there is a shorter option. The school uniform in the country was unified in 1970 - both in private and public schools it is mandatory and the same, in white and blue colors. The Ministry of Education of the country has officially banned schoolgirls from dyeing their hair and using cosmetics. Also banned are bijouterie and jewelry, and in some places overly elegant hairpins.

School uniform in Egypt. Photo from the site http://trip-point.ru/

Egypt

After the well-known revolutionary events, Islamic fundamentalists came to power in Egypt. At the same time, a law was passed allowing girls to come to classes and exams in a robe that leaves only their eyes open. However, in international schools that operate, as a rule, in resort towns where foreigners prefer to settle, everything is still practical and democratic. Of course, there are schoolgirls in headscarves in Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh, but they are in the minority.

School uniform in Turkmenistan. Photo from the site https://galeri.uludagsozluk.com/r/t%C3%BCrkmenistan-k%C4%B1zlar%C4%B1-1090224/

Turkmenistan

The girls are dressed in long bright green dresses with national embroidery and skullcaps. Hairstyle - two braids, and if you are not lucky with your own hair, then you can buy overhead. Moreover, uniform dresses are also worn by college students (blue) and universities (red). Boys come to classes in a more classical style, but also in skullcaps.

One in four English students may not worry about what to wear to class. The solution to this problem has long been a school uniform - an approved set of clothes for boys and girls in Western secondary schools.

At different times, school uniforms in different countries looked different. Until recently, pressed jackets and shirts with starched collars, fancy stockings and tailored skirts were associated with elite educational institutions for the children of wealthy parents. And it's hard to imagine that the original school uniform was intended for poor children who had nothing to go to school at Christ's Shelter. Their coats were blue, as blue dye was the cheapest in the 16th century. Since then, schools in which students wear blue coats have been called Bluecoat schools - “blue coat schools”. But even such a conservative UK tends to abandon certain traditions and styles. So, at the end of the 20th century, in many educational institutions, striped blazers were replaced by plain ones, because the “stripes” were too expensive.

And the privileged private school Eton (Eton School), where only boys from the richest families or heirs of the royal court can study, abandoned the school uniform in the late 60s. The Eton student's costume looked like this: a wide white starched collar, a waistcoat and a short black jacket. Today, this school uniform is worn in specialized boys' choir schools.

In another private school, Sevenoaks School, which is one of the three oldest schools in England, all students are required to wear a uniform. Boys aged 7 to 11 wear blazers and trousers, girls wear blazers and kilts. Going to the sixth grade, the guys put on special costumes. The form is also provided for gaming activities. A set of clothes can be bought in a special store of the school or on its website.

The American version of the school uniform is different for private and public schools. In regular high schools, girls rarely wear sundresses or plaid skirts, and boys don't wear blazers. In public schools in the United States, boys most often wear sneakers or sneakers, which is not accepted in most private schools. In many schools, boys and girls wear a t-shirt and jumper in a certain color with the school logo.

In secondary schools in Germany, school uniforms were almost never introduced. In addition, the uniform here is preferred to be called "clothes for school" (Schulkleidung). For example, at Hamburg-Sinstorf and Friesenheim schools, girls and boys wear stylish shirts and sweaters in blue or red. In addition, some German schools produce their own branded clothes, which are both fashionable and honorable to wear.

But the students of Italian schools are still forced to dress in long shirts with white collars - grembiuli, which simultaneously resemble a nightgown, tunic and artist's robe. For western high school graduates, the uniform remains forever in the memory. Someone dreams of putting on a jumper with a school badge again or proudly tying a tie, and someone, many years later, has nightmares about a terrible, restricting movement, eerie color uniform.

Perhaps the most fashionable school wardrobe today among Japanese schoolgirls. Young manga lovers are so delighted with short skirts, white golfs, and most importantly - "sailors" (sir fuku), that they are ready to wear them even outside of school.

Today, school uniforms are incredibly popular among teenagers. The heroes of the Harry Potter films have made school uniforms a symbol of selectivity, American comedies have shown rebellious schoolchildren and schoolgirls, and Japanese anime have made girls all over the world set aside a special place in the closet for skirts, golfs and ties. In comfortable and stylish clothes, the learning process becomes even more enjoyable, which is why many boys and girls are happy to put on a school uniform and go to class.

To see with your own eyes how much time the descendants of conservative British people spend on dressing for physical education and how young goths or emos put up with the dress code in Western schools, you can take a tour of American or English high schools. And even better - to sit at the same desk with those who managed to give up jeans for a while for the sake of quality education and interesting pastime.

School uniforms in America are common mainly in private schools. And, as a rule, contains the emblem of the educational institution. In ordinary public schools, most often, there is no school uniform. But there are certain rules of clothing style (Dress code). Moreover, different institutions have different rules. For example, the length of a miniskirt should not be shorter than the fingertips, transparent clothing is prohibited, T-shirts should not contain any obscene inscriptions, etc. As a rule, students wear simple clothes: jeans, wide T-shirts, sneakers.

american school clothes

Freedom in American schools

Unlike other countries, children in American schools have more freedom, which is expressed not only in terms of dress code, but also in other aspects. For example, each student has his own locker, there are no permanent classes when all students study together for years, there is no whole single program, the student takes those subjects that are interesting to him. There is also no strictness in manners. For example, students can sit on the floor, etc.

There are still various discussions about school uniforms in the United States. Since some believe that it is better to have a mandatory uniform, others refute this. These discussions were especially popular during the reign of President Bill Clinton, since it was he who actively supported the idea of ​​​​introducing a school uniform. So in 1996, the US Department of Education issued a special guide to school uniforms, which listed the benefits of uniforms. The report told about the conduct of various experiments related to the introduction of uniforms in some schools. In particular, it was said that as a result of the introduction of the form, there were fewer crimes in schools, and the general academic discipline improved.

I propose to watch a video about school clothes (dress code) in Russian by a schoolgirl who studied at an American school.

On the other hand, compulsory school uniforms in America can prevent children from developing their own taste, style, and comfort. And it can also bring some inconvenience to parents. Therefore, in the United States, after all, they refused to introduce permanent uniforms. And they gave this issue to the discretion of the local authorities. In this regard, the leadership of each school decides for itself what rules for wearing clothes to be introduced. Of course, parents play an active role in this matter. Since due to their budget, in fact, there are schools in America.

Few people know, but the first copies of the school uniform appeared in the 15th century, since then it has solemnly marched around the world. Uniforms have been introduced in most schools in developed countries, what explains its popularity?

• In form, it is impossible to understand the wealth of the family, gender or ethnic differences;
• From childhood, students are instilled with an official style of dress;
• A sense of team and collectivism develops;
• School uniforms do not allow subcultures to develop and actively demonstrate their views.

Each country has its own concepts of what the form of students should be. The most conservative traditions have been preserved in the UK, where almost every school or college has its own insignia.

In the countries of the East, the form only emphasizes national traditions and is strikingly different from European counterparts. A vivid example of this is Malaysia, Oman. It is also interesting that schoolchildren in Bhutan do not carry briefcases or bags at all. They carry writing materials and textbooks in special pockets of their school uniforms.

The form of schoolchildren in Australia and New Zealand is as simple and convenient as possible. Skirt, shorts, jumper or shirt: no strict ironed arrows, jackets or stand-up collars: comfort comes first.

Japanese schoolchildren dress simply and comfortably: pleated skirts or trousers, shirts, ties.

But the form of Brazilian children is more like a suit for playing football. But it's convenient.

The form in Russia has also undergone significant changes: in the lower grades, you can increasingly meet children dressed in plain or checkered suits, but high school students do not deny themselves the pleasure of flaunting clothes “a la USSR”.

Nigeria, Congo, Kenya - the local uniform is distinguished by the most free cut (still, Africa has a completely different climate), but not all educational institutions supported the introduction of universal clothing.

Schoolchildren in Vietnam resemble vacationers from Artek (a turquoise bottom in combination with a light shirt and a contrasting tie looks very colorful). In Cuba, in uniform, you can guess the common features with clothes from the communist past. Who cares, but the author of the schoolchildren are very reminiscent of the pioneers.

In Colombia, Singapore and a number of other countries, the clothes of schoolchildren are discreet and even boring.

In Uzbekistan, they decided not to adhere to the national color, so the uniform in schools has a simple and recognizable cut.

In India, some schools still have not abolished the sari, which replaces the uniform, but more comfortable clothes have been introduced in most schools. In Turkmenistan, you can see national patterns and ornaments on clothes, but the cut is quite typical.

It is difficult to judge schools and the people in general by the form, because very rare countries have not lost their individuality and even their school clothes are traditional and unusual. What shape would you like the most?

In many of its former colonies, the form was not abolished even after independence, for example, in India, Ireland, Australia, Singapore, and South Africa.

The form In Great Britain is part of the school's history. Each school has its own uniform, which comes with a headdress, tie, outerwear and even socks. Each prestigious school has its own logo.

In Germany never had a single school uniform. Some schools have introduced uniform school clothing that is not a uniform, as students can participate in its development.

In France the situation is similar, each school has its own uniform, but a single school uniform existed only in 1927-1968.

In 1918 the uniform was abolished. After the revolution, they did not think about it until 1949, when tunics with a standing collar were introduced for boys, and brown dresses with a black apron for girls.

In 1962, the boys were dressed in gray woolen suits, and in 1973 in suits made of blue wool blend, with an emblem and aluminum buttons. In the 1980s, blue jackets were sewn for boys and girls. And in 1992, the school uniform was abolished, the corresponding line was excluded from the law "On Education".

Since September 1, 2013 in Russian schools. In some regions, schools will follow the recommendations of local authorities, in others they will set the requirements for students' clothing themselves.

The material was prepared on the basis of information from RIA Novosti and open sources