Official Report: Minutes of Evidence

The Chairperson (Ms Finnegan): I welcome the Members of the Youth Assembly here today. It is lovely to have so many of you here. I welcome Isabella Cooper, Isabella Coughlan, Zoë Gaines, Jonathan Fogarty and Ethan Wilson. You are welcome to brief the Committee.

Miss Isabella Coughlan (Northern Ireland Youth Assembly): Thank you to the Committee for meeting us today to hear our views on the School Uniforms (Trousers) Bill. The Youth Assembly has raised issues relating to school uniforms on several occasions and previously provided evidence on the School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Act (Northern Ireland) 2026. We were disappointed that most of the recommendations from the Youth Assembly and other young people, including those to give a universal right to wear trousers, were not included. We are so grateful to the Committee for Education for bringing this Bill and for listening to the voices of young people.

Since we prepared this evidence, the Minister has announced that he intends to introduce guidelines to give the right to all pupils to wear trousers to school and leg coverings for sport. We welcome the fact that action is now being taken and that the concerns raised by young people are being recognised. We place on record our recognition of the young people, youth organisations and Youth Assembly Members from past and present mandates who have consistently called for change on the issue. The announcement is a significant milestone and reflects years of advocacy by young people determined to see their voices translated into action.

In our 2025 survey on young women's rights in schools, which heard from over 1,100 young people, the issue of school uniforms came up repeatedly. Young people raised concerns about comfort, dignity and safety and repeatedly suggested that pupils should have the choice to wear trousers. However, many told us that, even where trousers were technically allowed, pupils could face barriers such as permission processes, medical evidence requirements and social stigma. Those are the issues that young people want addressed. Whatever approach is ultimately taken, young people want a consistent right that can be exercised easily and fairly across all schools in Northern Ireland.

I will hand over to Jonathan, who will tell you more about our research on the issue.

Mr Jonathan Fogarty (Northern Ireland Youth Assembly): When we asked young people about the principle behind the Bill, the message was remarkably clear. In January this year, we consulted Youth Assembly Members on whether all pupils should have the choice to wear trousers, and 98% supported that proposal. We then opened a wider Pulse survey during the summer and received 263 responses. Again, support was strong: 92% agreed that all pupils should have the right to wear trousers, and 95% supported the right to wear trousers, shorts or other appropriate leg coverings for recreational, sporting or outdoor activities.

What is most striking is the consistency of the findings. Across different pieces of research, different groups of young people and at different points in time we heard the same message, namely that young people want a consistent right for all pupils to choose the uniform option that best meets their needs.

I will hand over to Ethan, who will focus on why choice matters.

Mr Ethan Wilson (Northern Ireland Youth Assembly): One thing that comes through strongly in our evidence is that, for young people, this is about much more than trousers: it is about comfort, confidence, dignity and participation in school life. There is also an affordability issue. The Assembly Research and Information Service paper highlights that girls' uniforms can be more expensive than boys' uniforms, with skirts often costing more than generic school trousers. When we asked what difference allowing all pupils to wear trousers might make, the vast majority expected positive impacts on comfort, confidence and participation in school activities, managing periods and having a feeling of inclusion and equality. We asked whether pupils should be able to choose the uniform option that made them feel most comfortable and confident, and 92% agreed.

Young people are not asking for schools to get rid of uniforms or remove skirts; they are asking for a meaningful choice.

Miss Isabella Cooper (Northern Ireland Youth Assembly): Alongside the online Pulse survey, we asked Youth Assembly Members what uniform policies looked like in their schools. One said that girls and their parents had to meet the principal to make their case before they could wear trousers. Others spoke of needing to provide medical evidence. Even when trousers were permitted, stigma could remain. One Member told us that, when they finally wore trousers, people stared at or questioned them simply for wearing what they felt comfortable in. Those experiences highlight an important point, which is that having trousers listed in a school's policy is not always the same as having a meaningful choice. Over time, the Bill could normalise the wearing of trousers in schools and reduce the stigma that many young women currently feel.

I will hand over to Zoë, who will conclude on behalf of the Youth Assembly.

Miss Zoë Gaines (Northern Ireland Youth Assembly): If there is one message that we would like the Committee to take from our evidence, it is that work on the Bill must continue. We welcome the Minister's announcement. Young people will welcome any action that improves choice, fairness and consistency across schools.

We discussed the Minister's announcement with the Bill Office, and we understand that the guidelines may be changed or overturned by future Education Ministers. We feel, therefore, that there is a need for the Bill to continue in order to enshrine the right to wear trousers in primary legislation rather than through guidelines. We are not asking for permission but for a genuine and meaningful choice available to all pupils and applied consistently across all schools.

Thank you for listening to young people's voices. We welcome your questions.

The Chairperson (Ms Finnegan): Thank you very much for your oral briefing. It is clear that a lot of work went into it. Even your delivery showed how passionate you are, and your research has been extensive, so I really appreciate that.

Given your comments at the end, Zoë, it is clear that you want this right to be enshrined in primary legislation. That is a very important message. Perhaps the Committee will agree to write to the Education Committee to acknowledge that and to let it know what your wishes are.

Ms Sheerin: Thank you all, and well done. That was such a brilliant and articulate presentation, and every one of you should be proud of yourself.

My question has been covered. I was going to ask what your desire would be in relation to the Minister's announcement and whether you thought it necessary for the legislation to proceed. You have made it abundantly clear how you feel in a very concise manner. I can understand the argument that you make, given the risk of further ministerial direction or policy changes that might mean that the choice is removed. My sense is that, if this is enshrined in law, it becomes normalised, and things will be the same for girls and women in any other space in society, where wearing trousers is not questioned and is normal. Is there anything that you want to add to that? I can see you nodding, Isabella.

Miss Coughlan: Absolutely. We want to ensure that this is a consistent and fair right that is available to everyone across Northern Ireland. To respond to your point, it is also worth mentioning that this is about preparation for the world ahead. Women wear trousers in the workplace. It is about educating boys as well that that is an acceptable approach. It is also about making sure that everyone knows that it is an option available to them and that there is no stigma attached to it.

Ms Sheerin: Yes. It is about outlawing discrimination in schools, which is the only place where we have discrimination on the basis of sex when it comes to wearing an outfit or a uniform.

Thank you very much. I have no further questions, Chair.

Mr McMurray: Thank you very much to all of you. That was a fantastic presentation, and you made the argument well.

Last week, Nick Mathison and Pat Sheehan made the point about the autonomy of the school versus the autonomy of the individual. You made reference to a universal right: the right to wear trousers. You also mentioned parents having to meet school principals. When it comes to the autonomy of the school versus the autonomy of the individual, how does that power balance sit currently, and how would you like that to be? You have laid that out, but it would be great to hear you expand on that.

Miss Gaines: Some schools already allow pupils to wear trousers, while others do not. It is definitely not a matter of the schools themselves deciding their uniform guidelines. It is more about individual autonomy, comfort and feeling safe and secure in your uniform. If pupils feel safe and secure in their uniform, they will be more likely to succeed in school because they are able to focus on their education. The Assembly enacted the School Uniforms Act because non-statutory guidance was not producing consistent change across all schools. The schools will not put the provision in place unless it is put into primary legislation.

Mr McMurray: I agree with you 100%. I will plead ignorance here because I did not realise how much of an issue it was. I took on a new staff member from Scotland, and, when I told him that we were going to have this discussion, he was perplexed. He thought it was bonkers. Likewise, in the McMurray household, I was discussing the matter with my wife. She articulated pretty much what you articulated there but from 30 years ago. She will not thank me for saying that. [Laughter.]

Thank you very much, and well done.

Mr Stewart: Thanks so much for coming along, folks. This is my first meeting as a member of the Ad Hoc Committee, so you have been participating in this longer than I have. I have watched your contributions throughout, whether in the Education Committee or in this Committee, and I take my hat off to each of you for the passion and dedication that you have shown to the subject.

Today's presentation was really useful. You have covered most of the points that I wanted to address. In particular, Zoë, at the end, you reaffirmed the position that the matter needs to be put on a legislative footing. We all welcomed last week's news of the Minister's directive, but it is interesting to hear from you that that needs to happen in order to protect that right.

I will pick up on a point that you made, Ethan, around the imbalance that still exists in the cost of skirts versus trousers. Will you elaborate on the latest feedback on those costs? There was an intention to try to bridge the gap, but, from what you have said, it sounds as though the latest surveys that you have carried out show costs continuing to escalate.

Mr Wilson: I have a younger sister who is in year 9; I am in year 10. Even though she is younger and requires a smaller size than me, her uniform is significantly more expensive year-on-year. I do not have the exact figures, but girls spend much more on their uniforms. This could be a great help, particularly for households that struggle with paying bills and paying for school uniforms.

Mr Stewart: I absolutely agree. Thank you for that.

I think that this question is for Isabella. We were talking about PE kits. I know that some work has been done on that, but has enough been done, or does more need to be done to extend the offering around PE kits, including trousers, for girls?

Miss Cooper: In a lot of schools, the PE kit includes shorts, and boys can usually wear trousers or track bottoms. In winter, it is uncomfortable and cold. PE teachers usually have big coats on, but the girls are standing around in shorts. It has not changed. You cannot wear leggings, because they are not school branded, and the girls do not have school-branded leggings or trousers, like the boys.

Mr Stewart: That is something that this could extend into to take account of that. Obviously, some schools are accommodating it, but, as you say, other schools are not. They have a set list of products that you have to use. It is totally impractical and unfair that, on a freezing, cold day in January, the guys can wear their tracksuit bottoms, but the girls are standing, freezing cold, in shorts. It seems totally devoid of logic, but it is where we are.

I appreciate the feedback. It has been useful. I appreciate you coming along today.

Mrs Cameron: Thank you for your eloquent presentation. Your input is very much valued.

I welcome the changes that have been made to the guidance. Hopefully, they will start to take effect in schools. I am 54 — it is a long time since I was at school in my skirt — but I can envisage myself standing with a placard saying, "No to blue legs". That would have been popular even back then.

The point about the need to feel safe and secure in your uniform is valid. Being so enables you to concentrate on what you are trying to do and learn in order to progress through the school system.

I thank you for your contributions.

The Chairperson (Ms Finnegan): That is everybody who wanted to ask questions.

Thank you for coming, and thank you for the continued work that you are doing. You have already given evidence to the Education Committee, so I am grateful that you have come to give our Committee evidence. It has been useful. We will convey your message to the Education Committee; I think it sits tomorrow. It will make the decision, as it is its Bill. You have made valid points.

I am the proud mother of a daughter. We have discussed what skirts mean. It should never be the case that you have to ask permission. As you say, if it is enshrined in primary legislation — hopefully, it goes in that direction — we will see the changes made.

Thank you for your time. Hopefully, we will see you again.