GB News presenter Martin Daubney has slammed a Welsh secondary school’s decision to ban skirts in favour of a “gender-neutral” uniform, branding the move a symptom of “wokearity”.
Bryn Teg School in Bridgend has sparked a parent revolt after announcing that all pupils must wear trousers to reflect “modern values” and “inclusivity.”
The South Wales school claimed the move will save parents money due to trousers being considered more weather-resistant, adding the measure is being put in place for “practicality, equity and the realities of family life”.
During a heated discussion on GB News, Martin questioned why “equality” always seems to result in girls losing their right to choose. He suggested the move has the “whiff of woke” and ignores the practical reality of parenting.
Speaking on The People’s Channel, Martin said: “Now there’s been a huge conversation about this. Is it about cultural reasons? Is it about inclusive gender neutrality? Or is it actually a case of girls once again having decisions made for them? Or could it be something a bit more innocent? What do you reckon?”
School teacher Debbie Hayton said: “I suspect, Martin, it’s the same as it’s always been. Girls have been rolling up their skirts and schools have got exasperated, so they’ve banned skirts to avoid the issue. I mean, it is true to say that since time immemorial.”
Martin Daubney said: There used to be strict skirt-length rules in schools, and if you broke them, you’d be sent home.
“I’m guessing those days are gone. My daughter is 11 now, and it seems a lot of girls wear trousers anyway but shouldn’t they at least have a choice?”
Martin Daubney has slammed a Welsh secondary school’s decision to ban skirts
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GB NEWS
Ms Hayton said: “Well, they should have a choice. Skirts and trousers are normal office wear for women, so that should be reflected in school uniforms.
“And if a school is so keen on being gender-neutral, then allow boys to wear skirts as well if they want to or at least when it gets really hot in the summer allow them to wear shorts. Allow both sexes to wear shorts so they’re comfortable.”
Martin said: “I think you’re absolutely right. If a boy went to a head teacher and said ‘I’d like to wear a skirt’ they’d probably say yes because they wouldn’t want to be seen as transphobic or exclusionary.
“So if that’s the case, why can’t girls simply choose what they want to wear?”
A Welsh secondary school has banned female students from wearing skirts in an ‘equality’ push (file photo) | GETTY
The teacher said: “They should be allowed to choose between skirts and trousers. I was amused one summer when boys weren’t allowed to wear shorts, so they turned up in skirts instead and because the school had a gender-neutral policy, that was fine.
“I do think we should look at school uniforms. They should be tidy and children should be well presented, but at the end of the day, pupils should wear clothes they feel comfortable in.
“If a girl wants to wear a skirt, she should wear a skirt. If she wants to wear trousers, she should wear trousers.
“And the argument that this saves money is nonsense. If you already have trousers, you can just wear them anyway.
“I suspect, though we don’t know for sure, that girls have been rolling up their skirts and the school has brought in a new uniform policy to counteract that.”
Martin said: “But the school in question Bryn Teg School in Bridgend, Wales says the change is about equality, reflecting the values of modern pupils and being inclusive.
“That does give it the whiff of woke, gender-neutral uniforms.
“And any parent watching will know that if your daughter already has skirts she can wear for multiple years, you’re now being told to throw them away and buy a new uniform. That could leave working-class parents worse off.
Ms Hayton said: “Well, that’s been the complaint, hasn’t it? Parents have bought skirts and then the school says they can’t be worn anymore.
“But what school is going to come out and say ‘We’re so exasperated with girls rolling up their skirts and nothing we do is changing it, so we’re banning skirts? They’re not going to say that, are they, Martin?
The school told GB News: “This a single streamlined uniform reduces pressure on families, removes unnecessary distinctions and ensures every people can feel comfortable and confident.
“This is a positive step forward for us simpler for parents and carers, more practical for pupils and fully in keeping with the inclusive values that we stand for.”