My personal struggle with the astronomical cost of school uniforms is not uncommon. Every year, parents and students alike are burdened with the exorbitant pricing of everyday items like pants or shirts, which can range anywhere from $50 to $80, simply due to an iron-on label. It's not an issue contained to my school alone, but impacts families all over.

The cost of education should never prohibit a student's ability to learn. Yet, high uniform prices are adding an unnecessary financial stress on families. Rather than contributing to an accessible education, it serves as a barrier to many. According to the National Retail Federation, in 2019, families were spending an average of almost $240 on school uniforms. This is an unreasonable cost to be incurred by families, and yet, it is ongoing.

Schools and governing education bodies must take action to lower the cost of school uniforms. Measures can be taken such as working with multiple suppliers to foster competition and lower costs, or even introducing subsidies to support families who can't afford the uniforms. We urge the relevant authorities to commit to making education more accessible by lowering the cost of school uniforms. Sign this petition to show your support for affordable school uniforms today.