英語版

Iwata School Uniform Selection
Committee Newsletter
August/2024

The second School Uniform Selection Committee meeting was held, using drafts
from other cities as references for discussions on proposal formats and selecting aMaster Maker.

ⅠIt would be beneficial toconsider growth over three
years and incorporate ease ofalteration into the design.

There is a request for functionality,durability, and specific color blending ratios
to facilitate easier comparison.

Suggestions for summer uniforms
are desired. What would be the ideal
specification? And how aremanufacturers thinking about this?

The school should innovate its uniform
designs and usage guidelines.
Preference is for the standard uniform
throughout school life. Currently, sports
attire is worn underneath due toinsufficient changing facilities. It's
important to reconsider these facilities in

Cost benefits emerge when
considering the long-term
perspective. It is essential to confirm
and demonstrate comparisons withcurrent situations.

this gender-neutral era.

In the future, even if the mastermaker conducts student opinion
surveys and design voting, thiscommittee wishes to closely
monitor them.

Based on the committee's comments, the requirements for the bid will be put together
and announced later on the Iwata City website for public bidding..

The previous updates were posted on each middle school's website, addressing feedback
received:
Q1: Will the current uniform prices increase?
A: Price is a major concern for parents. The Iwata Uniform Selection Committee emphasizes theimportance of functionality, durability, and affordability. To achieve this, we are developing
specifications based on which any manufacturer can produce and sell uniforms. This approachpromotes fair competition and ensures an optimal balance between quality and cost. We will
collaborate with manufacturers and retailers to ensure prices are affordable for parents.
Q2: Isn't it uneconomical if hand-me-downs can't be reused with the new uniforms?
A: We consider a transition period of three years for the new uniforms, including evaluating transition
periods at each middle school.
Q3: Did voices from parents and children request a change in uniforms? Is there a need forsurveys among parents and children who purchase uniforms?
A: The Iwata School Uniform Evaluation Committee conducted a survey in 2023 school year withparents of elementary school students (4th grade of Shogakko to 3rd grade of Chūgakko), juniorhigh school students (1st to 3rd grades), and local teachers.
Students currently using uniforms expressed a strong desire for garments that better suit theweather and allow ease of movement. There was a particularly strong request for pants, especiallyamong girls. Parents emphasized the need for functionality. Based on these findings, theCommittee decided to transition to new uniforms.
At the time of the survey, we were planning to introduce new uniforms for the 2026 school year.
We placed special emphasis on the opinions of parents and students who actually use the uniforms,
limiting the survey to parents of elementary school students (Shogakko) and using the results as areference.
Q4: Are there cost benefits?
A: Using the term "cost benefit," we not only anticipate cost savings from introducing uniforms uniformly
across Iwata, but also consider factors such as reuse within the same city when transferring schoolsor among relatives, as well as the time and effort involved in deciding on new uniforms. Moving
forward, we will recruit a company known as the Master Maker to create uniform specifications sothat uniforms can be produced by any manufacturer. In the recruitment guidelines for"Specifications Developer for New Uniform Introduction," we will specify the desire for lower costs
compared to when uniforms are established by individual schools.
Q5: What about giving the freedom not to wear uniforms?
A: At present, we are not considering granting the freedom not to wear uniforms. In the previous year's
Uniform Consideration Committee, it was decided that uniforms are necessary due to benefits suchas enhancing school spirit and a sense of belonging, and their appropriateness for events like
ceremonies, entrance exams, and formal occasions. Opinions from surveys targeting students,
parents, and guardians indicated a need for uniforms. In introducing new uniforms, our aim is toallow students to choose their attire according to events, seasons, and health conditions. We also
want to engage in deeper discussions within the evolving trends of our times, includingreconsidering whether uniforms are necessary, including the freedom not to wear them.