The paddock is our new old school

After at a meeting with representatives of the ONF V.V. Putin proposed returning school uniforms; a survey of 64 thousand readers on http://news.mail.ru/politics/10639134/ showed that his idea, one way or another, is supported by 81% of respondents. I personally voted against it, but remained in an insignificant minority, which was quite surprising. I was even more amazed when I began to read opinions on this topic on teacher forums. The percentage of teachers in favor of introducing mandatory uniforms turned out to be no less.

As a teenager, I was a shepherd and observed cows that, having discovered a passage in the paddock, ran out of the fence and, in the ecstasy of freedom, began to kick their hooves, jump, and gallop like a doe. Thus, from the cracks of the collapsing Soviet school, a generation of innovative teachers arose who ceased to see the student solely as an object for the formation of “consciousness” and discipline. Everyone became tired of the corral school by the end of the 80s, and teaching teams began to give birth to the ideas of “schools of cooperation”, “schools of joy”, etc. However, like runaway cows that after a certain time return back to the herd, the current generation of teachers, raised by modernization longing for the former paddock.

One teacher says: “We have a lyceum. The uniform is clearly stated in the school’s charter. There are no problems. The director herself is present every day when students are admitted and supervises very strictly.” This is by no means a reservation. Many educational institutions today actually allow children to enter. A strict Cerberus at the entrance passionately checks whether the child’s appearance matches the status of some innovative institution. There is nothing to be surprised here; in the education system, the term “pass” has long been established in relation to subordinates. Ministry specialists let department heads through, who, in turn, let directors through, directors let teachers through, and teachers let students through. The neglected teach the neglected, and it’s hard to call this situation conducive to the development of human dignity.

One of the main arguments of supporters of uniform school clothing is that uniforms discipline. True, the “order” so beloved by them is achieved through suppression, but this does not in the least bother the mentors of the younger generation. Here are a few typical statements from uniformed activists in the teachers' lounges: “The children are against it, the parents' opinions are divided. But educated and thoughtful parents are for it”; “While children are studying in a class group, they must adhere to the same requirements. If the internal ego of parents is higher than the public one, please study at home, even in pajamas!”; “Form is needed, but children at their age are not able to objectively and intelligently form their views in this direction.”

This category of teachers is always ready to confront disobedient students and their parents. The form is introduced by a majority vote of the school councils using an administrative resource, which is not much different from its brother in the elections (it is no coincidence that the teacher in the election commission causes distrust among many), after which the eternal struggle for appearance begins, regular raids by administration representatives during breaks and their sudden drop-offs for classes.

They convince with words about equality - a deceitful, sanctimonious pose, where the fig leaf of sameness bashfully covers up the realities of monstrous social stratification. Yes, you can’t hide it with either aprons or jackets, because cheap material is different from expensive, because there are also briefcases, cell phones, laptops, class trips and gifts for the class teacher.

They convince with aesthetics. Like, this is good and beautiful. There are probably episodes in life like “Last Call”, when form suits you. Maybe even on stage as part of individual events. I just remember that by the end of the school year, Soviet girls’ school dresses were worn out to holes, and it was a pity to look at them. Wearing the same thing for years is something that can only appeal to aunts who somehow find themselves at school and admit: “It’s somehow uncomfortable to feel among a motley crowd of students.” I agree with the objections to tank tops, miniskirts and protruding panties as elements of school clothing, and to the display of naked navels in educational institutions, no matter whether teachers’ or students’. But form is not a cure for vulgarity, lack of culture or bad taste.

The apotheosis of the return to the era of the corral is the following confessions of teachers: “I am only for school uniforms. If teachers also had uniforms, it would be even more beautiful”; “I would be happy to wear a teacher’s uniform. Stylish, strict, no need to show anything to anyone, children don’t laugh behind their backs, colleagues don’t compare.” Yes, I can imagine a picture when Russian teachers, whose average age is now about 53 years old, will put on their green uniform and wear it, taking into account the existing salaries, into old age. They will die in it on the teacher's desk.

...At least adults can choose: work, school. Children cannot choose. I am grateful to those of my colleagues who feel and do not hide: “Our students HATE school uniforms. They resist with every fiber of their soul and go into open conflict with teachers and parents...” Children get their first experience when those with power revel in it and try to break it over their knees at school. And it seems that 80% of children’s souls are unable to endure this experience. Otherwise, where do all these adults come from who obediently walk into the pen?