Time for school uniforms again

Press, 21 December 1978, Page 17

Time for school uniforms again

Parents outfitting a child with a new secondary-school uniform over the next few weeks can expect to spend about $123 on the basic items of a girl’s uniform, and about $9O on those for a boy. The cost last year of equipping an average-size girl with two blouses, a tunic, a cardigan, two pairs of socks, a pair of shoes, and a blazer was about $117; thus the increase this year is about 5 per cent. Blazers, at $37.50, are the only item in the girl’s basic uniform not to have risen in price this year. A blouse now costs $6.70 ($5.85 last year); a cardigan is $21.40 ($20.70); a tunic is $25.60 ($23.90); socks are $2.15 a pair ($1.75); and shoes are

about $2l ($2O). Tunics are longer this year, one reason for the increased price, according to the head of a girls’ schoolwear department in a big city store. Some schools have a frock instead of a tunic and blouse; frocks are selling for $29.95 compared with $28.50 last year. An average-size boy’s uniform of two shirts, a pair of shorts, a jersey, two pairs of socks, and a pair of shoes cost about $BO last year: so the cost is up about 12 per cent this year. Boys do not have to wear blazers at many schools. Jerseys are selling about $2O ‘this year, about the same as last year; shorts are $14.95 ($13.50); socks are $3.35 a pair (about $3);

. shoes are $21.55 (about $20); : and shirts are $13.40 (about - $10.20). ; As well as these basic > items parents will pay ■ $18.85 for a girl’s raincoat, t and $34 for a boy’s parka. t Material is available for most schools for mothers t who want to sew parts of ; the uniform, such as the ■ tunic or blouse, but few • choose to do so, according ; to the department head.

Many schools preferred uniforms to be bought, he said. Although many shops offer extended credit, or layby schemes, some parents opt out of buying a new uniform in favour of a sec-ond-hand one. Last Saturday more than 20 persons advertised uniforms for sale, at a variety of prices, through the columns of a daily newspaper. Most secondary schools,

through parent-teacher associations, organise regular clothing shops where parents can buy or sell secondhand uniforms at reasonable prices. Parents who want their child to have a new uniform but cannot afford it may apply to the Department of Social Welfare for a family benefit advance of up to $156. About 400 such applications are made each year.

The money can be advanced for an intermediate or secondary-school uniform, but under the Social Security Act the department cannot pay more than 52 weeks, or less than 24 weeks, benefit in advance. The lump sum can be paid at any time while the child is at intermediate or secondary school. Parents can apply for part of the money for one uniform and the balance for the other, so long as the requirements of the act are met. Applications, which should be on an official form available from the department, opened on December 1, and must be made no later than six months from the time the child starts or returns to school.