TWO determined Enniskillen pupils are continuing their push for greater equality in schools, calling for girls to have the legal right to wear trousers as part of their school uniform.
As previously reported by the ‘Herald, Astrid Knox and Rhea Donnell, both aged 12, have been advocating for the change since last year.
Starting with their primary school, Enniskillen Integrated, where they successfully lobbying to give girls the option to wear trousers, the pair’s mission has grown into a campaign for legislation across the North.
The girls returned to Stormont this month with NI Children’s Commissioner Chris Quinn to present their case to the Northern Ireland Assembly’s Committee for Education.
Their proposal is to amend the School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Act (Northern Ireland) 2026 to guarantee that all schools allow girls the choice to wear trousers.
Supported by Youth Panel member Maddison Blair, who led a similar campaign five years ago, Astrid and Rhea are challenging outdated uniform policies and encouraging schools to reconsider traditional dress codes.
The campaign has already sparked wider discussion on fairness, comfort, and gender equality in schools.
Commissioner Quinn praised the students for their commitment, linking their campaign to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which includes the rights to play, privacy, and non-discrimination.
He emphasised that children’s views on matters affecting them must be taken seriously and called on school leadership to listen to their concerns.
In the North, school uniforms are not governed by legislation, leaving schools to determine their own policies.
Department of Education guidance advises that uniforms should be ‘fair and reasonable’ and ‘practical, comfortable and appropriate,’ while providing value for money to families.
Astrid and Rhea are now calling on parents, educators, and fellow students to support their initiative, aiming to make school uniforms more inclusive and modern.
