The Impact of School Uniform Policies to the Behavior of Senior High School

Students of Imelda Integrated Secondary School

A Quantitative Research

Presented to the

Faculty of Senior High School

FATIMA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Fatima, General Santos City

In Partial Fulfilment

of the Requirements in the Subject

Practical Research 2

Rhea Salaver

Elene-Beth T. Orandoy

Kiermelvie C. Balantay

John Kyle T. Dumasig

Kent Torrefranca
Chapter l

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

The school uniform policies provides data and implementation that allow every

student to wear the given uniform as part of school practices, culture, and was

applied to promote and represents school image. Uniform have been a staple

component of private schools for many years, but have increased in public

schools. As stated in Bees Creek School (2017) The goal of a school uniform

policy is to give parents and students a common understanding of what is

expected of them in terms of wearing a school uniform.

According to Joshi et al., (2012) In this situation, students' behavior is defined

by explicit instruction, which can help them learn the positive behaviors and

skills they are expected to display at school as well as help them overcome

some academic deficits. In addition, as stated in NSW Government (2020) A

person's behavior is their actions. It is the action taken by an individual to

cause something to occur, alter, or remain unchanged. A person's behavior is a

reaction to events that are occurring both externally—the environment,

including other people—and internally—thoughts and feelings.

School uniform policies influence students to have valuable insights into the

pros and cons of the school uniform used. It is important to document the

perception of these students. Students nowadays, tend to wear civilians over

uniform some reasons are following new generation trends, to express

themselves, and to be comfortable to what they wear rather than following

school uniform policies. It became normalized when new generation arrived.

The researchers are motivated to conduct this study because it will serve as

basis for understanding how important school uniform is in enabling students

to behave properly, help them to be more focused on learning, and reduce

numbers of bully at school which will results in higher performance of students

because of the healthy environment they contained inside the school.

This study wants the school administrators and students to know the

relationship of school uniform policies on the behavior of G12 HUMSS students

in Fatima National High School. That will address various perspective and

opinions of students on the implementation of uniform.

Statement of the Problem

This study generally aims to determine if school uniform policies can improve

the behavior of Senior High School Students of Imelda Integrate Secondary

School
Specifically this study shall answers the following questions:

1.) What is the impact of school uniform policies among Senior High School

students?

2.) What is the behavior of Senior High S students?

3.) Is there any significant relationship between school uniform policies and the

behavior of G12 HUMSS students?

Significance of the Study

This study aims to provide factual Information about the impact of school

uniform policies to the behavior of G12 HUMSS students in FNHS.

The results of this study will be beneficial to the following:

School Administrators- This study will help them to implement a safer school

environment and fostering school culture.

To the Teachers- Through this study they can maintain the focus learning

environment among students.

To the Parents- This will be a cost savings for many parents and also to lessen

their worries about what their children will wear everyday in going to school.

To the Students- This will help in fostering sense of belonging and reducing

peer comparison as anyone dress similarly.

To the Future Researchers- This can be used as a basis for learning and

gaining insight into the significance and effects of student conduct on school

uniform policies.

Scope and delimitation of the Study

The focus of this study is to determine the impact of school uniform policies on

the behavior of G12 HUMSS students.

The respondents of these study are the two hundred forty five(245) HUMSS

students in G12 of Fatima National High School enrolled into school year 2023-

2024. Slovin's formula was used to get this number of respondents. This study

will be conducted in September 2023 at Fatima National High School.

Chapter ll

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES AND CONCEPTUAL

FRAMEWORK

RELATED LITERATURE
School uniform policies according El-Rayess et al., (2019) When their inability

to acquire and wear school uniforms causes them to openly break their

symbolic identification with the majority. Levesque (2011) asserts the theory of

Erikson's (1997) "Sometimes the justification for school clothing codes and

uniform policies is the belief that they would help adolescents fulfill their

developmental goals" For certain students, choosing what to wear to school is

frequently a significant choice that is connected to their developing sense of self

and location.

The results of the study show that there are statistically significant differences

in how boys and girls perceive the emotions and behaviors that come with

wearing a school uniform. Girls are more likely than boys to think that

students who wear uniforms feel more confident and like they belong to the

group. More often than not, guys perceive wearing a school uniform as a sign of

limitations on their freedom. The study offers reliable empirical evidence in

support of the school uniform policy (Popa, 2018).

Sometimes the argument over what students should and shouldn't wear to

school ends up in court. Many schools have created dress rules and, most

recently, required school uniforms as a way to address security and discipline

concerns in an attempt to minimize controversy and potential disturbances

surrounding student apparel (DeMitchell & Fossey, 2015). In an effort to

balance out gang-related activities and rappers' dress rules, urban public

schools have lately instituted school uniform policies (Ansari et al., 2022). It is
anticipated that dress code laws pertaining to school uniforms will lessen

violence in schools, avoid disciplinary problems, and enhance school safety.

However, students have rights and such rights may cover matters pertaining to

political, economic, and cultural liberties. School uniforms elicit strong

unfavorable reactions from students, particularly from teenagers (Mahlangu,

2017). Similar conclusions were reached by Brunsma and Rockquemore

(2010), who found no connection between student attire and substance

misuse, behavioral problems, or attendance. Contrary to widespread opinion,

the researchers found that uniforms negatively affect pupils' academic

performance. Uniform policies provide a clear and visible symbol of educational

reform and advancement, which may indirectly affect student performance and

the school environment. "Opponents argue that uniforms violate young people's

right to free speech and have not been shown to be effective.

Following the 1996 State of the Union Address by President Clinton, school

uniform rules truly took off. He emphasized that students would be safe and

that school uniforms would aid in promoting security. "In his 1996 State of the

Union Address, Bill Clinton challenged schools "to teach character education,

to teach good values and good citizenship. And if that means that teenagers

will stop killing each other over designer jackets, then our public schools

should be able to require their students to wear school uniforms." (Yeung,

Ryan, 2009). Proponents contend that uniforms can improve school safety as

well as attendance and student achievement (Boutelle & Marsha, 2008). And
encouraging pupils to feel linked to their school can improve their wellbeing

(McNeely et al., 2009).

According to the Philippines article of Nord Anglia Education (2023), If a child

feels like they don't fit in or have the uniform, it can be damaging to their

confidence and the potential for children to tease and make fun of one another.

A lack of confidence can be one of the biggest obstacles to academic growth.

"There are significant safety concerns associated with not adopting a uniform

in school. With their school colours on, children can immediately be recognized

at a distance as a member of that school. In a situation where someone who

isn't a member of the school is on-site, they can be easily identified as not part

of the school by their lack of uniform.

Furthermore, children are not any different from adults in that they express

themselves through their clothes. Regrettably, it might bring a distinction

between children when they express themselves differently from other children.

Allowing kids to dress whatever they choose can drive a wedge between them

rather than foster a sense of equality and camaraderie among those wearing

uniforms. It evens the playing field when pupils arrive at school dressed

identically each day. Children experience a greater sense of equality and there

are no expectations about what they should wear. Every child starts from the

same place, regardless of their social status. If their parents cannot afford the

newest uniforms, youngsters from lower-class homes may feel alone without

them.
Establishing a standard helps to spread the notion that everyone is the same.

Kids from diverse backgrounds join together and can quickly recognize a

teammate based only on what they wear, which fosters a sense of unity and

solidarity that disappears when school uniforms are eliminated. By instituting

a school uniform, this risk is eliminated, giving your child more confidence in

the classroom and less reason to worry." Popa (2018)

RELATED STUDIES

Gentile and Imberman (2009) state that certain school districts now require

uniforms due to concerns about student safety on urban campuses. But

nothing is known about how school uniforms have impacted the classroom

atmosphere. In her opinion, Kouzmine (2019) listed a number of reasons why

wearing a school uniform is detrimental. She claims that the school uniform

restricts students' ability to express themselves freely, causes discomfort,

pushes conformity, and encourages diversity. Moreover, parents are burdened

further because purchasing one might be expensive. Numerous concerns were

found to be non-supportive of the unified code, according to similar studies

(Cheurprakobkit & Bartsch, 2010). The study found that, despite no

discernible variation in perception by gender, students strongly connected their

school uniform to their self-esteem based on their perceptions of it.

According to The National Bureau of Economic Research also carried out a

study with a focus on the trend of adopting school uniforms and a sizable

urban school district. Researchers discovered in this study that there was no

statistically significant difference between pupils in the district they analyzed

who attended schools with and without uniforms (Rice, 2011). Conversely,

Evans and Kremer (2009) also carried out a study in Kenya and instituted

school uniforms via a lottery, aiming to investigate the potential impact of the

uniform on academic achievement. They discovered that wearing a school

uniform greatly improved student participation and attendance, with a greater

effect on girls.

Moreover, a number of research on school uniform regulations suggest that the

original objectives included raising students' self-esteem, relaxing social

constraints, and lowering incidents of student-to-student violence related to

attire and shoes (Stockton & Gullat, 2015). There have been mixed results on

the real impact of school uniform policies. On the one hand, a NAESP research

study's findings demonstrated that principals had a good impact on: (a)

student safety; (b) peer pressure; (c) school spirit; (d) focus on homework; and

(e) classroom discipline (NAESP, 2000). Evidence suggests that school uniforms

may enhance a school's atmosphere by lowering competitiveness, boosting

student self-esteem, and raising academic achievement, according to Konheim-

Kalkstein (2006). UK Teachers think that when kids wear uniforms, they are

more courteous, duty-minded, and focused.

Compared to pupils who had no prior experience, those who had reported

wearing school uniforms expressed a more favorable opinion of the policies

(Mimmo, 2012). Furthermore, children attach a lot of significance to their

appearance and clothing when attempting to fit in and compete with their

peers. Many school reform programs have implemented uniform policies in an

effort to enforce behavior management and promote a sense of cohesion and

belonging among students (Uriyo, 2000).

Furthermore, according to a study, wearing a school uniform makes kids feel

more equal to one another, which boosts their self-esteem. They went on to say

that students benefit from wearing school uniforms because it makes them less

self-conscious about their appearance and what other people may think of

them. Students will undoubtedly learn more and perform better if the school,

where they spend the majority of their time, fosters an environment where self-

esteem is nourished and physical disparities are not a problem (Sempele,

Wamalwa, and Kisilu, 2014). In a public school, wearing a school uniform had

a beneficial impact on variables such as attendance, test scores, and student

behavior. In particular, wearing a school uniform either supports equality or

condemns disparities between pupils from different social classes.

The study of Jones (2017) there may be a positive impact on the school climate

that ensures equal opportunities for children from diverse backgrounds.

According to his research, wearing a school uniform will also minimize parent-

child conflict and bullying among students. While this claim provides

interesting details about school environments, disputes and bullying incidents

are still on the rise in the study area, which prompted the researchers to look

further into the matter. The researcher comes to the conclusion that students

benefit greatly from wearing school uniforms, particularly in terms of safety,

and that students' attitudes are reflected in their choice of attire. Additionally,

the researcher finds no evidence of a substantial correlation between the

number of the percentage of students that wear school uniforms and their

knowledge of its significance (Paracha, 2017).

A child's sense of family and belonging is enhanced by wearing a school

uniform since everyone is dressed same. Critics claim that items of apparel like

see-through shirts, low-cut jeans, and in a school context, apparel bearing

phrases deemed insulting is unsuitable and obtrusive (Patton, 2011). Many

school districts have implemented stricter dress restrictions or mandated that

students wear school uniforms in response to these critiques (Lumsden &

Miller, 2002).

According to a study conducted in the Philippines, even though students are

aware of the advantages and disadvantages of wearing a uniform, they

continue to use their choice, preference, self-expression, and socioeconomic

standing as justifications for not adhering to the school uniform policy. It is so

recommended that the current school uniform policy be thoroughly reviewed in

order to develop a more suitable policy (Javillonar & Vasquez, 2019). Due to

DepEd Order No. 45 s. 2008. Polomolok National High School's administration

did not mandate that students wear school uniforms. On the other hand,

students may wear their uniforms if they are still accessible. The institution
promotes uniform wear among students in order to increase safety both on and

off campus.

Conceptual Framework

INDEPENDENT VARIABLE DEPENDENT VARIABLE

Fig. 1 The Conceptual Framework of the Study

Figure 1 shows the conceptual framework of the study. School uniform policies

are the independent variable while the behavior is the dependent variable of

the study. The independent variable focuses on the school uniform policies

engage by the learner of Grade 12 HUMSS students of FNHS such as dress

code and other form of school uniform policies. The dependent variable focuses

on the behavior of the students.

Hypothesis of the study

Participation on school uniform policies has no significant effect on G12-

students' behavior in Fatima National High School.

Definition of Terms

For clarity and specificity about the study, the following terms are defined

operationally.

School uniform policies. Refers to the policy that implemented to students to

wear required school uniform by the head of the school.

Behavior. Action where students express their confidence and emotion on the

implementation of wearing school uniform.

Humss students. Refers to the respondents involve in the study. This will

include Humanities and Social Science of Fatima National High School enrolled

in school year 2023-2024.

Fatima National High School. This is the school where the respondents are

enrolled in Humanities and Social Science strand of the school year 2023-

2024, located at Brgy. Fatima General Santos City.

Chapter lll

METHODOLOGY

This chapter discusses the methods of research used during the course of

study it discusses the research design, research respondents, research

instrument, research procedures, and statistical treatment.

Research Design

This study will use the descriptive-correlational method of research. It aims to

determine the impact of school uniform policies to the behavior of G12

Humanities and Social Science(HUMSS) of Fatima National High School.

Descriptive-correlational statistical focuses in evaluating and examining

patterns of relationship between two variables. That provides valuable and

reliable insights across fields in research.

Research Respondents
This study involves two hundred forty five(245) Grade 12 Humanities and

Social Science(HUMSS) students of Fatima National High School, Brgy Fatima,

General Santos City for the school year 2023-2024. Slovin's formula was used

to get the numbers of respondents.

Research Instruments

The research will utilize questionnaires on the impact of school uniform

policies to the behavior of the Grade 12 HUMSS students in Fatima National

High School. It is a two-part questionnaire. The first part of the questionnaire

will determine the impact of school uniform policies among G12 HUMSS

students and the second part will determine the behavior of G12 HUMSS

students.The questionnaire adopted from related studies that consist of

sixteen(16) items on the school-sponsored likert-scale; it is a response scale

primarily used to obtain participant’s self-confidence. The scale will be

described as follows.

Description Range

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree 5
4

Research Procedure

Before to the distribution of the questionnaire, the researcher will ask

permission from the school head to conduct the research. Upon the approval,

proper coordination will be made to arrange the visit and distribution of

questionnaire to the respondents. The questionnaire will be distributed by the

researchers themselves to the respondents and as soon as the respondents will

be done answering, retrieval of the said instrument will be followed.

Statistical Treatment

To treat the data gathered, frequency distribution and weighted mean will be

used to determine the impact of school uniform policies.

To treat the data gathered, frequency distribution and weighted mean will be

used to determine the behavior of G12 students.

The researchers will used Pearson Product Moment Coefficient Correlation to

find out the impact of school uniform policies to the behavior of G12

Humanities and Social Science(HUMSS) students.

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