Want to read in Dutch? Click here
It was Macron’s dream vision: every child in France would once again wear a school uniform. Because it would promote equality among students and put an end to the “reign of appearance.” So, a pilot program was launched, allowing schools to test this in practice. But France’s school uniform experiment now appears to have flopped. What happened, and why isn’t the president’s enthusiasm more widely shared? In this article, I’ll tell you all about it.
School uniforms make everything better
On paper, the pilot seemed very simple and appealing. Schools across the country could register to participate in the uniform experiment, and the government would cover the costs. Half would be paid by the national government, the other half by the local authorities.
According to ministers, the schools would get a lot in return. The uniforms were said to “strengthen cohesion among students, improve the school climate, contribute to an atmosphere of work and equality, and create a sense of connection and unity.” Moreover, they would help reduce unruly behavior, improve grades, and “form a barrier against radical Islam.” The word uniform was even replaced with common outfit in an attempt to increase public support. But in the end, it’s essentially the same as a uniform. The aim was to roll out the clothing nationwide from 2026, after the pilot phase.
But in practice, things turned out to be much more complicated. The clothing package for summer and PE classes wasn’t yet available, making it unclear what exactly schools were signing up for. Meanwhile, schools were told that the clothing packages, which cost €200 per child, would now be ‘free’—but after the pilot, parents would have to pay. As a result, criticism started pouring in.
France’s school uniform experiment appears to have flopped
With all of this in mind, it’s no surprise that only a few schools signed up. Of the 59,650 schools in France, only 204 agreed to take part in the experiment. Officially, the project started this past January and was supposed to run for two years, but it already seems to have failed. In less than three months, 15 schools have already dropped the uniform, and more are expected to follow once parents have to start covering the costs themselves. And at schools where the uniforms were still officially in use, many students simply refused to wear them. So, the government pulled the plug.
Sophie Primas, government spokesperson, is disappointed. “I regret that things are being stopped for budgetary reasons. We should have continued until the end of the trial. It’s a shame.”
A flop that’s no surprise
Back in early 2024, I already wrote that this plan mainly appeals to those who feel we should return to the past. People like Brigitte Macron, the president’s wife, often say they have fond memories of school uniforms. But it seems people are mostly holding onto the thoughts and emotions that uniforms evoke in them. The experiment has little to do with present-day reality. Because if anyone had really thought this through, this project likely would never have come to life.
First, there could have been research into how the French population actually feels about school uniforms. You don’t need to implement them to find that out — just ask the schools. It would have saved a lot of money too. And then it would’ve already become clear that there’s little interest in bringing back a clothing mandate that was abolished in France back in the 1960s. Some schools even held referendums among students and already knew in advance that there was no interest. And anyone with a bit of understanding of how society works knows that implementing change is difficult to begin with. Support for a plan like this is essential if you want it to succeed. Essential, yes — but even support is no guarantee of success.
School uniforms financially unfeasible
Then there’s the question of whether the intended benefits are even realistic. Anyone reviewing recent studies on school uniforms will see that their effects have changed over the years. While uniforms once fostered a stronger sense of community, that’s no longer the case today. Times have changed, and so have young people. Individualism and equality are already key themes for the new generation. So, it’s hardly surprising that some students refused to wear the uniforms. We’re not as obedient as we used to be.
Finally, the financial picture isn’t exactly rosy either. Economists have already stated that France simply cannot afford to spend €2 billion on school uniforms. That’s the estimated cost if the government were to provide every child in the country with a uniform. And considering the protests from schools, local authorities, and parents alike, few parties were willing to contribute financially.
The country is grappling with a slow-growing economy and a rising budget deficit. So, aside from all the arguments mentioned above, this simply isn’t the right time for a school uniform experiment. I’d say: focus on rebuilding your country so the younger generation can enjoy a good future. That would benefit them far more.
Greetings,
Aileen