(Updated April 17, 6 a.m.) The new uniform designs of the Department of Education for its teaching and non-teaching personnel drew cheers and jeers on social media for the colors, fabric used and their fitting.
DepEd unveiled the new designs in a Facebook post on Thursday.
The designs for the teaching personnel differ from those for non-teaching personnel. There’s also an assigned uniform design per day from Mondays to Fridays.
“Ibinida sa DepEd Central Office ang aktwal na disenyo ng mga bagong uniporme para sa mga teaching at non-teaching personnel ng Kagawaran,” read the post.
Each attire comprises a pair of slacks and polo or blouse for both men and women. The colors were also fairly neutral with a dash of blue in two of the outfits.
The post received mostly positive reactions wherein it garnered 4,200 likes, 2,800 heart emojis and 645 shocked emojis, as of writing.
Some Filipinos, particularly teachers, however, were more critical in the comments section.
Some users addressed the neutral colors that make teachers look “old.”
“Parang tatandang dalaga ako nito lalo sa kulay ng mga new uniforms. Wala bang mas bright at mas nakaka looking young na design?” one said.
Others pointed out that the fabric used seemed not appropriate for the country’s humid weather.
“Paki-consider din po ang tela na gagamitim natin. Alalahanin po natin kung meron mang face-to-face class sobrang init sa ating bansa yung sinagamit po kasi na tela ay sobra init sa katawan,” another user wrote.
Suitable styles for teachers also make them feel good, some users said.
“Sana po mas maganda design sa susunod. Pag kase maganda uniform nkakadagdag din sa moral ng teacher,” the user wrote.
Some Facebook users, meanwhile, aired their frustration over the routine changes and called for a distinctive, permanent look like the ones worn by nurses and the police.
“Sana po ay dumating ang panahon na hindi na pabago bago ang uniporme ng mga guro. Para sa kasarinlan at pagkakakilanlan. Tulad ng mga pulis, sundalo, nurse, di nababago at kilala sila sa kanilang kasuotan!” one user said.
“Sana isang disenyo lang para sa pagkakakilanlan like pulis, sundalo at nurse,” another said.
Clothing allowance and uniform policy
In line with the post, DepEd said that a P6,000 worth of clothing/uniform allowance will be provided and that this uniform policy will be allotted for the school year 2022 to 2023.
“Mayroong P6,000 na clothing/uniform allowance (CUA) para sa taong ito at panibagong 6,000 pesos para sa susunod pang mga taon. Ang allowance na ito ay bilang tugon sa pangangailangan ng mga government employee para sa kanilang uniporme,” DepEd said.
“Ang mga bagong disenyo ng uniporme ay magsisimulang gamitin sa SY 2022-2023. Ang susunod na administrasyon at mga opisyal na may hawak ng DUC ay maaaring magdesisyon na panatilihin ang mga disenyong ito hanggang sa nais nilang taong panuruan,” it added.
In the latest memorandum released last March, DepEd clarified that the school year 2021 to 2022 will serve as the “transition period” for teachers to purchase the new set of uniforms amid the still raging COVID-19 pandemic.
“In consideration with the current crisis brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the continuing implementation of the blended learning delivery and alternative working arrangements in the Department, SY 2021-2022 shall be considered a ‘transition period’ to allow ample time for employees to prepare and purchase new set of prescribed uniforms,” it said.
“To facilitate the transition period, employees can still wear their old uniforms this coming SY 2021-2022. But starting SY 2022- 2023, all teaching and non-teaching personnel shall wear the prescribed new set of uniforms,” it added.
