School uniforms in Venezuela: What is legal and what is not?

In Venezuela, public and private educational institutions are strict in requiring compliance with the use of school uniforms to his students.

This is because national regulations establish a dress code for students at the preschool, primary and secondary levels.

However, the law also states that no student can be denied the right to education, even if he or she attends school without the correct clothing.

Even if the student is allowed to attend his or her classes, the representatives must formally justify the reasons for the absence.

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What does the law on school uniforms say?

Official Gazette number 40,739 dated September 4, 2015 establishes the obligation of the institution to provide access to classrooms.

Article 1 explains that the objective of regulating clothing is to guarantee a comprehensive education with equal conditions and opportunities.

The purpose of this resolution is to regulate the use of the school uniform in the Basic Education Subsystem, in order to guarantee the enjoyment of a comprehensive, quality, permanent education under equal conditions and opportunities.

Article 1 of Official Gazette No. 40,739

Article 6 states that the use of school uniforms is mandatory in all institutions and non-compliance with the rule must be formally justified.

Likewise, the responsibility for compliance or non-compliance with the dress code falls on the student’s family members or representatives.

If the student cannot wear the correct clothing, the reasons must be justified, but without denying him/her access to the classrooms.

Students who, for fully justified reasons, do not wear the school uniform must be allowed to enter or remain in classes and other school activities until the reasons that motivated their non-compliance are resolved.

Article 6 of Official Gazette No. 40,739

Characteristics of school uniforms

The resolution in question establishes a series of characteristics that students must meet according to their level of education.

• Early Childhood Education: red, yellow or blue flannel and navy blue overalls.
• Primary Education: short-sleeved shirt or white chemise and navy blue pants or skirt, according to your free choice.
• Secondary Education: from first (1st) to third (3rd) year, short-sleeved shirt or light blue chemise, from fourth (4th) to sixth (6th) year, short-sleeved shirt or beige chemise, in both cases navy blue pants or skirt, according to their free choice.

Regarding footwear, schoolchildren can wear traditional shoes in black or brown.

It is worth noting that some institutions have relaxed this rule and began to allow sports shoes as long as they are completely black.

The rule also states that schools cannot require specific brands for their uniforms.

They also cannot require that certain types of fabric, manufacturers, designs or other requirements be used.

As for the physical education uniform, the use of a navy blue jumpsuit, white shirt and sports shoes is established.

The resolution does not clarify the color of sports shoes, although most institutions require that they be white.

Additionally, the policy states that students may wear coats, raincoats or boots during rainy seasons.

School uniforms reduce clothing costs and promote equal socioeconomic conditions because they prevent discrimination or exclusion of schoolchildren.

Is the use of badges mandatory?

The Official Gazette also regulates the use of insignia as part of the school uniforms.

Article 9 states that the student uniform must include the insignia or badge of the educational institution.

All shirts, chemises and flannels of the different levels of the Basic Education Subsystem must include their respective badges or insignia.

Article 9 of Official Gazette No. 40,739

It is important to note that the use of badges allows for the identification of students even in cases of emergency.

For example, if a student gets lost on the way home or to school, he or she can receive help if people around him or her can identify where he or she studies. This also helps in the case of an accident on the road or any other type of assistance that the minor requires.

What girls should wear

According to the provisions of Article 7 of the aforementioned resolution, girls may wear a navy blue skirt or trousers.

The rule states that the use of either of the two garments is “freely chosen” by the student.

However, it is common for the school to determine which items of clothing the students wear.

This is because the management and teaching staff are evaluating whether it is better to maintain the traditional uniform with skirts for girls or replace them with trousers.

Generally, when they decide to wear pants, it is because skirts limit girls’ mobility and make them more vulnerable to harassment, in addition to the fact that in places with cold climates they are also more uncomfortable.

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