Girls wear the pants at Vic state schools

Girls at Victorian state schools will no longer be forced to wear dresses and skirts under changes being considered by the government.

Girls will be allowed to wear shorts and pants at every Victorian state school after the government said dresses and skirts should no longer be compulsory.

Currently schools are directed to provide options "as far as practicable".

But decisions about uniforms are made by individual school councils, and some still don't allow girls to wear shorts or pants.

"I am currently considering ways to ensure girls are provided the opportunity at all government schools to wear shorts and pants," Education Minister James Merlino said.

"While the vast majority of schools already offer the option of female students wearing shorts or pants, it is something I would expect all government schools to do."

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said "of course" girls should be allowed to wear pants to school but said the focus should be on improving flatlining NAPLAN results.

"Now let's focus on the real issues - quality of education, support for our state schools, the necessities within state schools and the pressures of a growing population," he told reporters.

Western Australia recently announced it would be scrapping compulsory skirts and dresses for girls at state schools to encourage better participation in physical activity.


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Source: AAP

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