Northern Ireland schools will legally allow girls to wear trousers

Paul Givan, Education Minister for Northern Ireland, announced that girls will have the legal right to wear trousers to school starting in the 2027/2028 academic year.

For years, students and politicians advocated for this change, arguing girls should have the same clothing options as boys. Givan initially stated existing laws already allowed girls to challenge school policies prohibiting trousers, but the Education Committee pressed him to enact a formal change.

Some assembly members criticised Givan for what they called a “U-turn,” pointing to public funds spent on drafting legislation to address the issue after he initially resisted. The new guidelines will be legally binding under the School Uniforms Act, a law recently passed to lower the cost of school uniforms.

Niamh Murray, Vice Principal at Craigavon Integrated College, noted that her school already allowed girls to choose trousers and that about half of the female students regularly do so, especially during colder months. She also highlighted the change aligns with recommendations related to “period dignity,” providing more comfortable options for students. The change will also apply to physical education classes.