Northern Ireland schools must give girls option to wear trousers from next year

DUP education minister accused of dragging feet before revising guidelines on uniform

Schools in Northern Ireland must give girls the choice to wear trousers as part of their uniforms as well as for PE and games, according to revised guidelines.

From next year schools would no longer be able to prohibit female pupils from wearing trousers, Paul Givan, the country’s education minister, said on Friday. “Today, I am taking that decision, that will be formally communicated, schools will be hearing from me,” he told the BBC.