Northern Ireland Legally Guarantees Schoolgirls the Right to Wear Trousers

Update 1 · 11th September 2026

Northern Ireland Mandates Legal Right for Schoolgirls to Wear Trousers

Schoolgirls across Northern Ireland are to be given the explicit legal right to wear trousers as part of their daily school uniform. Education Minister Paul Givan announced that updated guidelines will render uniform rules legally binding under the School Uniforms Act, preventing educational institutions from prohibiting female students from choosing trousers over skirts.

Implementation Timetable and Scope

The revised rules stipulate that all school uniform policies for the 2027/2028 academic year onwards must incorporate the option for girls to wear trousers throughout the school year, including during physical education. To prepare for the transition, Minister Givan stated that formal communications are being issued immediately to allow schools adequate lead time to revise their internal dress codes ahead of full enforcement.

BBC News reportedly quoted Connie Rogers (16-year-old President of the Secondary Students' Union of Northern Ireland) as saying: “girls should be able to wear trousers”.

BBC News reportedly quoted Paul Givan (Northern Ireland Education Minister) as saying: “Today, I am taking that decision, that will be formally communicated, schools will be hearing from me, and as of the next academic year… schools will be required that this has to be available if it is requested upon.”.

Political Debate and Student Response

Student advocates and school administrators welcomed the policy shift, noting that allowing trousers provides better comfort and warmth during winter, aligns with period dignity recommendations, and allows students to express individuality. However, opposition politicians on the Assembly's Education Committee accused the minister of an unnecessary delay and an expensive U-turn, pointing out that earlier uniform legislation could have resolved the issue without supplementary statutory updates.

BBC News reportedly quoted Cathy Mason (Sinn Féin MLA) as saying: “This is an important win for girls and for all those who campaigned for this simple choice,”.

BBC News reportedly quoted Nick Mathison (Alliance Education Spokesperson and Chair of the Education Committee) as saying: “Substantial sums of public money have been spent on drafting legislation to fix his error of judgement, and we have said all along that he could have avoided this with the stroke of a pen.”.

• Schools in Northern Ireland will be legally barred from restricting girls to skirts starting in 2027/28.
• The policy covers everyday wear as well as physical education uniforms.
• Student unions welcomed the move while political committee chairs questioned the minister's delay in acting.