Schools in Northern Ireland will be required to give girls the option to wear trousers as part of their uniform, as well as for PE and games, under revised guidelines. Education Minister Paul Givan announced on Friday that from next year, schools will no longer be able to ban female pupils from wearing trousers.
Mr Givan stated, "Today, I am taking that decision, that will be formally communicated, schools will be hearing from me." He added that he had listened to young people, who made it clear they wanted the choice to wear trousers.
The new guidelines will not take immediate effect, allowing schools time to update their policies. While other parties welcomed the change, some politicians, including Nick Mathison, an Alliance MLA, accused the minister of delaying the decision.