The Senate voted for school uniforms to become mandatory / The Chamber of Deputies will decide the final form of the bill

On Monday, the Senate adopted the bill introducing mandatory school uniforms in pre-university education. The proposal received 84 votes “in favor,” 18 “against,” and four abstentions, and amends Education Law no. 198/2023 on pre-university education.

Under the bill, students will have to attend classes wearing the uniform established by the regulations of the educational institution. The designs, technical standards, and component elements will be decided by the administration board of each school, with the approval of the representative parents’ council. Schools will not be allowed to impose other items of clothing or accessories, except for the school badge.

Uniforms would be provided free of charge or subsidized for eligible families, depending on taxable gross income and family circumstances. Funding may come from the budgets of local and county councils, as well as from non-reimbursable external funds.

Supporters of the bill, including PSD senators Daniel Zamfir and Alexandra Presură, say that uniforms would reduce social disparities, bullying, and financial pressure on parents. USR Senator Ștefan Pălărie criticized the initiative, considering it populist and unnecessary, and estimated the costs at more than 1.2 billion lei.

The Senate is the first chamber notified. The Chamber of Deputies will have the decision-making role.