The proposed new policy for changing government school uniforms from 2027 onwards permits students in Grade 9 and above to wear beards. 

At present, although high school students are not allowed to keep beards, higher secondary students are allowed to do so. 

The Education Ministry has now shared the new policy and uniform designs with schools. 

As per this new policy, students at Key Stage 4 and 5 (Grades 9, 10, 11 and 12) are allowed to keep facial hair (beards and mustaches). However, facial hair must be kept neatly trimmed. 

Similar to current practice, the new policy also requires male students to keep their hair shortly trimmed. Hair dye, highlights, and tattoos are prohibited. 

As per the new policy, female students in Key Stage 2 (Grade 4) and above are required to wear trousers. In the instance they choose to wear skirts, trousers must be worn under the skirts. 

Girls must wear long- or short-sleeved uniform shirts, the length of which should come to 2 to 4 inches below the hips. 

A circular sent by the ministry to government schools this week states that the decision to change uniforms was made after extensive consultation with senior officials of schools. 

Education Minister Dr Ismail Shafeeu has stated that the uniform changes were proposed in response to several complaints from parents. He believes that the changes will make uniforms more affordable, and bring an end to monopolization of uniform sales.