As the new school year begins in France, pupils across the country are putting on school uniforms for the first time in decades. In a pilot program spearheaded by the government, approximately one hundred schools across the country are testing whether uniforms can reduce bullying, improve classroom tranquillity, and foster equality.
While some see uniforms as common sense, others – particularly on the political left –dismiss them as a superficial fix to deep-rooted social issues. The schools participating in the experiment are primarily located in right-leaning towns, where support for the initiative has been strongest, while more left-leaning areas are resisting uniforms. Brigitte Macron, herself a former schoolteacher, is said to be strongly in favour of uniforms.
Uniforms are a meaningful step toward creating a baseline of equality and discipline that is sorely lacking in classrooms today.
Personally, I find myself intrigued by the experiment, not least because my nine-year-old daughter is positively excited about the idea, possibly because it reminds her of Harry Potter. Katinka attends a state school in the Marais district of Paris, a neighbourhood known for its boutique shops and upmarket flair. Her school is not taking part in the experiment. Sometimes before school starts, I sit with her on the terrace of our local café opposite the school gate, where her favourite pastime is watching her schoolmates arrive, each one dressed in their own unique, often meticulously coordinated outfit.
Katinka relishes observing the fashion choices of her peers, but I can’t help but wonder if uniforms would provide a welcome reprieve from the morning debates about her own attire – what’s appropriate for the weather, whether it matters that she’s worn the same pullover twice, or whether her colours are perfectly coordinated. I suspect that if her school were part of the experiment, many parents in this neighbourhood would resist the change, viewing it as an infringement on their children’s individuality.
This enthusiasm for or resistance to uniforms mirrors a broader societal debate in France. Uniforms haven’t been required in public schools since 1968, a pivotal year marked by nationwide protests and a rejection of rigid, hierarchical norms. Since then, students have been allowed to express themselves freely through their clothing, while only private schools – particularly religious and military institutions – have maintained stricter dress codes, often including uniforms. The current debate over uniforms in public schools reopens the question of equality in a system that has traditionally prized individual freedom, echoing the ideals of liberté, égalité, fraternité.
The schools testing uniforms are overwhelmingly located in conservative towns. Right-wing mayors in places like Béziers and Perpignan were quick to embrace the initiative, framing it as a return to traditional values of discipline and equality. For them, uniforms represent a broader attempt to restore order and civility in the classroom. They argue that uniforms can curb bullying and alleviate peer pressure related to clothing choices, reducing the visibility of social differences. Wealthier students can easily flaunt their affluence through branded clothing, while less privileged students may feel the sting of exclusion simply based on what they wear to school. Uniforms level the playing field, allowing students to focus on their studies rather than their appearance.
Marine Le Pen’s National Rally has enthusiastically endorsed the initiative, calling it ‘a first step toward a return of authority in schools.’ The party, which has long advocated for more rigid and uniform standards in French education, sees the move as a restoration of traditional values, aligning it with its broader nationalist platform. This endorsement has strengthened support among those who view uniforms as a necessary tool to combat what they perceive as a decline in discipline and authority in schools.
However, the political left – and many parents and educators – see it differently. They argue that the uniform initiative is a distraction from the real issues plaguing French schools: underfunding, teacher shortages, and broader economic disparities. Some teachers point out that while uniforms might make students look alike, they won’t address behavioural issues or violence in the classroom. This critique, though common, misses the point. No one claims that uniforms alone will solve all of France’s educational problems, but they are a meaningful step toward creating a baseline of equality and discipline that is sorely lacking in many classrooms today.
The French government’s rationale for introducing uniforms is to reduce social inequalities, limit materialism, and improve the school environment. According to the Ministry of Education, uniforms are seen as a tool to foster equality among students, shifting the focus from appearance to learning. Fully funded by the state and local authorities, the pilot program is being monitored to determine whether it can be expanded nationwide by 2026.
This critique from the left is reminiscent of the SNP’s recent guidance to head teachers in Scotland, where school blazers have come under fire. The SNP argued that blazers are restrictive and contribute to inequality. Yet, just as in France, the debate seems to miss the essential point. Uniforms – whether they include blazers or not – are designed to create order and mitigate social differences, particularly in the face of increasing materialism among students. The left’s obsession with individuality overlooks the simple fact that uniforms bring focus back to education and away from superficial concerns about appearance. The irony is striking: in Scotland, uniforms are being criticized and blazers are being phased out under the guise of promoting equality, while in France, uniforms are being tested to achieve precisely that.
Concerns have also been raised about the cost of uniforms. To alleviate the financial burden, the government has promised that local authorities will cover half the cost, while the state will fund the other half. Still, some argue that this money would be better spent addressing the deeper issues facing public schools, such as chronic underfunding and a lack of teachers. While this may be true, the cost of uniforms is relatively minor compared to the broader benefits they offer in terms of discipline and equality.
There is also ongoing debate about what the French uniforms should look like. Should they be unisex? Should they incorporate blazers? What about shoes? Some regions are pushing for uniforms tailored to local climates and preferences. The current experiment allows for variations, with some schools opting for simple polo shirts and trousers, while others are considering more formal attire. This lack of standardisation has led to logistical challenges. There have been complaints about the fit and style of the uniforms, particularly from teenagers, some of whom have mocked the outfits on social media for being unstylish. Additionally, the cost of producing uniforms locally, which some regions have opted for to support their local textile industries, has further complicated the rollout.
Cultural implications are often invoked in discussions around education in France, particularly in light of the country’s strict secularism laws, known as laïcité. French law prohibits the wearing of any religious symbols, such as headscarves, in public schools, sparking debate on religious expression. However, the issue of school uniforms is separate from this discussion, as it primarily concerns equality and discipline, not religious or cultural expression. The focus here is on creating an environment where students are judged by their academic potential, rather than their clothing choices.
Ultimately, despite the government’s best intentions, the left’s resistance to uniforms may prove to be too strong for a nationwide rollout. France’s emphasis on individuality and freedom will likely make the return of uniforms an uphill battle. While President Macron hopes the program can be expanded by 2026, it seems likely that these efforts will be stymied by political opposition. And that is a shame. Uniforms would bring much-needed discipline, equality, and focus to a school system that desperately needs it. In the end, despite France’s commitment to liberté, égalité, fraternité, it’s the very ideal of liberté that may keep uniforms from making a permanent return.
