Updated School Dress Codes
The Ministry of Education has recently approved new requirements for school attire that will be implemented in state and municipal schools starting the 2025-2026 academic year, commencing August 18, 2025. These new regulations aim to ensure safety, school identity, modesty, and appropriateness for the weather and occasion [1][2][4].
For incoming first-year students and transferees, prescribed uniforms will be mandatory [1]. Students from kindergarten through 8th grade will be required to wear school uniforms daily, with seasonal adjustments. During warm weather (up to October 15 and from April 15 onward), students can wear shorts or skorts, while during cold weather (October 15 to April 15), they can opt for pants, turtlenecks, leggings, or tights [2].
Gender-specific attire has been established for everyday uniforms. Girls will be required to wear a jacket, blouse, cardigan, skirt, or classic-fit pants, along with accessories such as ties, scarves, and belts. Boys, on the other hand, will wear classic pants, a jacket, sweater, pullover, or turtleneck, shirt, and accessories such as a tie or belt [2].
Formal uniform components, typically for students in grades 3–8, consist of white button-down shirts, pants, and ties for boys, and white button-down shirts and cardigans for girls [4].
Sportswear (PE uniforms) will be required for physical education classes but cannot be worn for liturgical celebrations unless administratively approved [2]. PE uniforms consist of a t-shirt, sports pants or shorts, and sneakers [3].
All uniforms must adhere to strict grooming standards, and proper footwear is mandated. Uniform policies extend to all school events and activities unless otherwise specified [2][3]. Schools enforce uniform compliance strictly, providing loaner uniforms in case of infractions and involving parents if needed [2][4].
The new standards also prohibit clothing that promotes illegal behaviour, displays symbols of antisocial youth groups, or contains harmful hardware. Headwear is not allowed indoors, and weather conditions and the venue of activities should be considered in sportswear selection [2][4].
The proposed updated uniform designs for 2025 include new styles and materials, particularly in DepEd schools, aiming to modernize uniforms while maintaining standards [5]. These new school attire requirements outline typical requirements for student attire, emphasizing safety, school identity, modesty, grooming, and appropriateness for the weather and occasion [1][2][4][5].
What about the lifestyle changes for students with these new education-and-self-development focused uniforms and general-news about the updated school attire for the 2025-2026 academic year? For instance, the increased modesty in girls' uniforms, the optional weather-appropriate clothing for boys, and the prohibition against clothing promoting illegal behavior.
