School hires "clothing coaches" for miniskirt-wearing students

Van Lodenstein College in Kesteren is using clothing coaches to tackle the problem of students attending school in short skirts. The middle school community wrote in a letter to parents that they want to "act friendly, yet clearly" against students who appear "not neat" in lessons. At Van Lodenstein the usual dress code apply - girls in a skirt, boys in pants and a shirt, t-shirt or sweater. The clothing must testify "the difference between men and women". According to the school, no female students break the skirts rule completely, but some show up in very short skirts. During a conversation with a clothing coach it is made clear that the garment may not be worn again. If a student refuses to comply with the dress code, the clothing coach will invite her parents for a discussion. Additionally the school is working on a plan to distribute "affordable, smooth and neat alternatives to short skirts". Board chairman W. de Potter says that this is absolutely not the clothing police. According to him the school is trying to draw attention to "the beauty of clothes" in a positive way. "For example we have been providing workshops for years. Of course, even reformed youth push the boundaries." Earlier this year the board compiled a document on "honorable clothing" along with other reformed schools. That phrase holds concretely that "boys do not wear sagging trousers, and that girls do not go dressed in short skirts and/or outerwear with a deep neckline".