Youth governor says children should be able to express themselves at school

Victoria’s youth governor has defended kids’ right to express themselves.

In her regular segment with Tom Elliott, Amanda Gailiss said schools shouldn’t put restrictions on students’ appearance, beyond looking ‘neat’.

Ms Gailiss said schools that enforce uniforms should provide a gender-neutral version.

She said students, like anyone, should have the right to choose how they look.

‘I don’t think it’s right to restrict them, because I think that can have more negative impacts on their personality and how they express themselves,’ she said.

Ms Gailiss said it sends mixed messages when we tell female students they cannot wear make-up at school, but then expect them to wear it at work.

Click play for the full segment