@JTH: Regarding this:
""Emphatically there really is no difference between students who are forced to wear uniforms and those who are not"
Prof David Brunsma
= Let the uniforms remain as they have no discernible negative impact on education'. "
The former would only serve as evidence for the latter if that's actually what Brunsma concluded. But it isn't. On the basis of this research and work he's done since, Brunsma remains sceptical that there's any reason for sustaining them:
From his review article here -
http://www.knowledge-...policiesinpublics.pdf
"Despite media coverage, which has been exceedingly selective and misrepresentative, and despite the anecdotal meanderings of politicians,
community members, educators, board members, parents, and students, uniforms have not been effective in achieving the outcomes they were assumed to aid"
"What is clear from the research is that school uniforms, as a policy and strategy, do not play a role in producing more parental involvement, increased preparedness, positive approaches toward learning, pro-school attitudes, a heightened feeling of school unity and safety, or positive school climates. Therefore, such a policy should not be touted as increasing the educational atmosphere at any level of schooling."
And yes, I agree there's a slight problem with the fact that his research is American-based. But I still think it undermines the argument made by so many that to abandon uniform policies is tantamount to anarchy and will destroy the jobs market.
"but I don't believe that something should be jettisoned purely because there are some people who prefer to mark themselves out as 'individuals' and can think of no other way of doing so... "
This actually gave me pause for thought. Not entirely sure how to respond to it, to be frank. But while I'll admit you've assessed my personal motives quite accurately, I think you're portraying the reasons for removing a uniform policy as a bit more facile than they actually are. If the research indicates that they don't achieve anything they're intending to, then they should go. If the only justification provided for them essentially just boils down to control and a subtle kind of intolerance (which I've demonstrated above), then that's just not enough.
I'll admit to some idealism regarding freedom, but if we can at all help it, then I sincerely believe that the way we arrange our society should be done in the most justifiable (on some grounds or another) way possible.