Public school students in the Philippines are not required to wear a school uniform. This page explains the two DepEd orders behind that policy, DepEd Order No. 45, s. 2008 and DepEd Order No. 46, s. 2008. It also covers what counts as proper school attire and the dress rules for teaching and non-teaching personnel.
On this page 6 sections
Key points
- Uniforms are not required. Public elementary and secondary schools may not require students to wear a school uniform (DepEd Order No. 45, s. 2008).
- ID cards are free. Schools must give students identification (ID) cards at no cost. The school pays for them from its MOOE (maintenance and other operating expenses).
- Existing uniforms are still allowed. Students who already own uniforms may keep wearing them if they want, so families do not have to buy new clothes.
- Proper attire still matters. DepEd Order No. 46, s. 2008 sets principles and suggested attire so that students dress respectfully without extra cost or discrimination.
DepEd Order No. 45, s. 2008: Student uniforms not required
Dated June 2, 2008, and signed by Secretary Jesli A. Lapus, this order is addressed to undersecretaries, assistant secretaries, bureau, center, and service directors, regional directors, schools division superintendents, and chiefs of divisions.
Its purpose is to increase school participation of all school-aged children by removing obstacles to enrolment in public schools, especially financial ones. On the President’s order, it states:
- The wearing of a school uniform shall not be required in public schools.
- Identification (ID) cards shall be provided to students at no cost to them. The school administration shall fund these from their MOOE.
Students with existing uniforms may continue using them, if they so desire, to avoid extra costs for new attire. The order was issued for immediate dissemination and strict compliance.
DepEd Order No. 46, s. 2008: Proper school attire
Dated June 10, 2008, and also signed by Secretary Jesli A. Lapus, this order goes to the same offices. It gives guidance on what proper school attire is, since uniforms are no longer required.
Guiding principles
- A student’s basic right to go to school, study, and learn is of paramount importance and should be respected and promoted at all times.
- A student’s attire should reflect respect for the school as an institution for learning.
- A student’s attire should not become a cause for discrimination, particularly for students from a lower socio-economic status.
- Promoting physical hygiene and proper school decorum is part of the teaching-learning process, so a student’s attire and appearance should show what they learn from it.
Suggested attire for elementary and secondary students
| Clothing | Footwear | |
|---|---|---|
| Boys | Polo shirt or T-shirt with sleeves, any plain color, with a minimum of prints; pants (long or short), any color | Any |
| Girls | Dress, skirt and blouse, or blouse and pants, any color, any print | Any |
Students with existing uniforms can still wear them if they wish.
What students are discouraged from wearing
- Expensive clothes (signature or designer brands) or flashy clothes
- Tight-fitting pants, blouses, or dresses
- Mini-skirts and short shorts
- Blouses with plunging necklines
- Hip-hop pants for boys
- Sleepwear
This order was also issued for immediate dissemination and strict compliance.
Uniforms for teaching and non-teaching personnel
The two orders above are about students. For DepEd employees in the division:
- There is no new design of national uniforms for SY 2018-2019, per DepEd Memorandum No. 63, s. 2018.
- The design in DepEd Memorandum No. 84, s. 2016 is still used as scheduled (Mondays and Wednesdays, and Tuesdays and Thursdays).
- Proper dress is governed by CSC Resolution 002515 of the Civil Service Commission, the Revised Dress Code for all government officials and employees in the workplace.
On days with no prescribed office uniform, employees should wear appropriate business attire:
- Maong (denim) pants are fine if paired with a collared polo shirt for men or an appropriate blouse for women.
- No tattered maong pants.
- No ostentatious display of jewelry.
What this means for parents and schools
Parents do not need to buy a uniform for a child to enrol in or attend a public elementary or secondary school. A child can wear neat, decent everyday clothes that follow the suggested attire above. Schools should not turn a child away for not wearing a uniform, and they should give ID cards free of charge.
Frequently asked questions
Are uniforms required in DepEd public schools?
No. DepEd Order No. 45, s. 2008 states that the wearing of a school uniform shall not be required in public schools. Its goal is to remove financial obstacles to enrolment.
Do students have to pay for their school ID?
No. Under DepEd Order No. 45, s. 2008, ID cards are given to students at no cost. The school funds them from its MOOE.
Can my child still wear an old school uniform?
Yes. Both orders say students with existing uniforms may continue wearing them if they wish, to avoid the cost of new clothes.
What clothes are students discouraged from wearing?
DepEd Order No. 46, s. 2008 discourages expensive or flashy clothes and tight-fitting pants, blouses, or dresses. It also discourages mini-skirts, short shorts, blouses with plunging necklines, hip-hop pants for boys, and sleepwear.
Can DepEd teachers wear maong pants?
On days with no prescribed uniform, maong pants are allowed if paired with a collared polo shirt for men or an appropriate blouse for women. Tattered maong pants are not allowed.
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