The ASTI has welcomed the decision by Integration Minister Conor Lenihan and Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe to issue recommendations rather than a prescriptive policy to schools in relation to school uniforms.

Speaking of the Ministers' suggestion that the current system, whereby schools decide their uniform policy at local level, should be maintained, ASTI general secretary John White said:

“This recommendation recognises that every school is a unique community of students, teachers and parents, and recognises that second-level schools have been tremendously successful in welcoming students from diverse backgrounds into our schools.

"Irish second-level schools are committed to the social project of integration. It is vital that schools are supported in developing policies which promote openness and inclusiveness in their communities.”

Mr White added that the key to supporting schools in their goal to be inclusive is to resource them adequately.

“Developing inclusive schools is more than drawing up policy documents. It’s about providing adequate resources and opportunities for all students. The recent OECD publication Education at a Glance 2008 shows Ireland coming 27th out of 29 countries when it comes to the amount of GDP per capita invested in each second-level student.”