Macron says he supports the idea of testing school uniforms in France

PARIS - French President Emmanuel Macron has said he supports the idea of students wearing uniforms in schools amid backlash over a recent ban in classrooms on abayas, the full-length garments traditionally worn by some Muslim women and girls, reported dpa news agency.

The debate about the introduction of school uniforms has flared up again in France because, according to authorities, female pupils are increasingly wearing abayas in schools.

At the beginning of the school year, French Education Minister Gabriel Attal announced a ban on the wearing of abayas. Attal also said that a trial run for uniforms in various schools is planned to begin in the autumn.

Macron supports the idea of experimenting with school uniforms. The goal is to support the heads of schools who are often faced with heated debates over what pupils are allowed to wear in the classroom, he said.

"The issue of unique dress is in my opinion more acceptable and seems a little less strict from a disciplinary point of view," Macron said Monday evening in an interview with the YouTube personality Hugo Décrypte.

Macron added that without imposing a strict dress code or uniform, "you can say - 'put on a T-shirt, jeans and a jacket.'"

An association for the protection of Muslims' rights filed an emergency appeal against the ban with the Council of State, the country's highest administrative court.

The complaint is to be heard in court on Tuesday.

No one should be stigmatised or excluded because of their clothing, Macron said. Furthermore, he added that the idea to regulate pupils' dress does not only relate to religious clothing but also to overly eccentric clothing.

There have also been debates in France in the past about whether students should be allowed to wear revealing clothing such as crop tops.

The public display of symbols seen as religious has repeatedly provoked controversy, in particular where Islam is concerned.

In 1994, a law was passed that allowed only discreet religious symbols in schools.

Ten years later, the donning of headscarves was completely banned in schools, along with the kippa and large crosses.

In 2010, the ban on full-face veils in public followed. - BERNAMA-dpa