Eat, Heat, or "Gang Colours"

How many children in UK schools are going to be put into "isolation" or otherwise bullied because their parents chose to squander what little money they have on food, rent, or heating their homes. Don't these irresponsible parents understand that it it much more important to massage headteachers' ego by pandering to their whims and ensuring their children have the correct "Gang Colours", euphemistically called "school uniform"? Clothes suppliers pay large amounts to schools, to be appointed "the official supplier", thereby having a monopoly. They need to be able to fleece parents to recoup that outlay.

UK teachers aren't competent enough to teach unless their students are dressed in the correct gang colours.

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

SunshineGirl · 36-40, F

Children still need to wear clothes, clothes will cost some money. My nieces' four state schools all choose uniforms carefully so that items can be sourced cheaply from Tesco, etc. I think the 'official supplier' thing largely died out with the decline of independent high street retailers.

NortiusMaximus · M

@SunshineGirl A few schools are reasonable like that but most like to keep the "official supplier" because it's a highly lucrative cash cow. Even Government figures admit that it costs an average of about £700 to equip a child to obtain a "free education". A significant proportion of that money goes to paying a bribe (euphemistically called "commission") to be appointed the "official supplier". It's possible to dress child well for a lot less than that - thereby having enough money left over to put food on the table. The only downside is that the headteacher will have to wait a bit longer for his or her private swimming pool.