The French Minister of Education Gabriel Atal stated today that he is in favor of it suit test use the of enforcing a dress code in schools, as the debate over a ban in its public schools continues abaya – a loose full body garment worn by some Muslim women.

Uniforms have been compulsory in French schools since 1968, but they regularly return to the political agenda, often under pressure from conservative and far-right politicians.

Atal, who announced the ban of the abaya last week, he told BFM TV that he would announce in the fall a timetable for the trial use of school uniforms in schools that agree to take part in the trial.

“I do not believe that the school uniform is a magic solution that will solve all the problems associated with harassment, social inequalities or the secular nature of education,” he said. However, he added that “we have to do experiments, yes let’s try things’ to get the conversation going.

France has imposed a ban on religious symbols in public schools supporting the popular character of education and the state. The issue is sensitive and regularly causes political tension in the country.

For some, the uniform means equality and the elimination of differences of social status and wealth. For others, it’s a conversation that’s unnecessary and distracts from more serious issues like discipline and harassment.

In January 2023, the wife of President Emmanuel Macron, Brigitte, said in an interview with the newspaper Le Parisien that the school uniform “erases differences, we save time – it takes time to choose what to wear in the morning – and money – compared to the ‘branded’ clothes”.

She said she wore a uniform for 15 years, a dark blue skirt and sweater as a schoolgirl, and that she accepted it positively.

“So I’m in favor of the school uniformbut be simple and not blurry,” he added.