School uniforms - Pure beauty

(Baonghean) - For a long time, school uniforms have become a familiar, innocent image associated with the time of going to school. However, surrounding that simple, elegant and familiar image, there are still many issues to ponder...

Students of Ben Thuy Primary School (Vinh City). Photo: Binh An

For students in rural areas with many difficulties, school uniforms have many other meanings. Phan Huu Ha, Xuan Lam Secondary School (Nam Dan), comes from a poor family with 3 siblings of school age. At the beginning of the school year, he only registered to buy one uniform. Luckily, the two siblings are close in age, and the school uniform is made loosely so the two Ha siblings can share it. There is only one uniform for all 3 years of school, so for him, that simple uniform has a special meaning. “Not only is it a symbol of the beloved school that I have been attached to for 3 years of secondary school, the school uniform also helps me feel confident, equal and sociable with my friends of the same age. When my friends all wear uniforms, I feel that there is no longer a distance between people, only harmony, carefreeness and sharing between friends in the same school” – Ha shared.

School uniforms are also the belief and pride of many generations of students living and studying together under the same roof. Sharing by Dang Thi Kieu Anh, a student at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Hanoi (former student of Phan Boi Chau High School for the Gifted) gives us a deeper understanding of the meaning of the simple yet familiar school uniform: “After more than 3 years of graduating, I still keep the school uniform as an unforgettable memory of my student days; the shirt reminds me of a carefree and passionate student life. And above all, for every student of a specialized school, that shirt is like a sacred symbol that carries the pride of being a member of a school with a long tradition, to remind myself and try harder…”.

Also because of the sacred meaning of school uniforms, many schools have focused on choosing a uniform with their own "identity". Also including the familiar white shirt but combined with turquoise fabric pants, that is the difference that has become the unique feature of the school uniform of Lang Sen Primary School (Nam Dan). “In addition to the subtle combination of white and blue colors on the shirt, the school logo attached to the sleeve is the proud highlight of the uniform. A logo designed with meaningful details, the name of Lang Sen Primary School - sparkles with the pride of both teachers and students as if to remind them of the homeland of Uncle Ho - the beloved leader of the nation, so that they can strive to continue the tradition of teaching and learning of the school. The symbol inside the logo is an open book and a burning fire, representing the desire to reach out of the young generation and the belief and hope in the school's students, who will later become talented people who will devote themselves to the country. Besides that meaning, the school uniform also aims for convenience, is sewn loosely and firmly to suit the learning and playing environment of the students" - Ms. Tran Thi Nga - Principal of Lang Sen Primary School shared. With the meanings conveyed, the school uniform has become a unique characteristic of Lang Sen Primary School students. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, the children bustle to school in beautiful, neat, and meaningful uniforms.

On the contrary, in some rural areas, where economic conditions are still difficult, the issue of school uniforms has not received due attention from parents. The principal of a high school in the commune of "9 Nam" (Nam Dan) also honestly confided that, here, taking care of children going to school is difficult, but school uniforms have not received much attention from parents. This issue is discussed in parent meetings at the beginning of the school year, but in the end, parents still choose uniforms that are suitable for their family's economic conditions. Therefore, the fabric material also depends on the budget. Most families only buy one uniform for their children at the beginning of the school year and maintain it throughout the 3 school years.

Economic difficulties seem to have been "resolved" at Chau Thang Primary School - Quy Chau, where 94% of students are Thai ethnic people, and people's lives are still difficult. To have each student wear a uniform during the flag-raising ceremonies at the beginning of the week and the Team activities at the end of the week is a concern of the school. Ms. Ngo Thi Thao - Principal of Chau Thang Primary School confided: "To save costs for the children, the school has chosen summer shirts made of raw fabric that is both airy, cool, and does not wrinkle or wear out quickly. Teachers in the school have donated old uniforms that are still in good condition to help children in difficult circumstances who cannot afford to buy new uniforms."

The image of students wearing traditional, elegant and simple school uniforms seems to have become a source of pride and contains many unforgettable memories of a carefree and innocent student life... Above all, school uniforms also have a great meaning, expressing solidarity and attachment, which is the "brand" of each school. Therefore, in addition to building the image of each school through school uniforms, schools need to pay more attention to convenience and economy; so that each student is always cheerful and active in their uniforms when going to school.

Dinh Nguyet