PETALING JAYA: The education ministry today said primary and secondary students can wear either white shoes or black shoes when they resume classes next year.
In a memo sent by the ministry’s director-general dated yesterday, all head of units and state education directors were told, however, that students must wear the same colour socks as the shoes they choose to wear.
The ministry also stipulated that shoes are to be made of canvas or from other synthetic materials, such as nylon and polyester, which have permeability and air circulation, providing for students’ comfort, safety and health.
In 2018, former education minister Maszlee Malik courted controversy when he said the education ministry would allow students to wear black shoes and socks in schools from 2019 with full implementation of the policy to start in 2021.
When announcing the move in July 2018, Maszlee said that many parents had complained that their children’s white school shoes soil easily.
The ministry said today’s statement also nullifies its 2018 circular which called for students under the ministry to wear black shoes. – FMT