This year for the start of the school year, the Elsa-Triolet college in Saint-Denis has decided to ban the wearing of tap-socks for its students. A divisive decision.
The improbable mode of tap-socks failed to seduce the Elsa-Triolet college in Saint-Denis. The Ile-de-France school has chosen for this new school yearprohibit the wearing of tap-socks for all of its studentsreported The Parisian. “The internal regulations explicitly prohibit the combined wearing of these two accessories”, indicates the medium. From now on, no more students can come in tap dance with socks in class, and there are no exceptions. According to a college teacher, who spoke on the subject, this decision would have been taken for security reasons. “In classes where students are required to handle chemicals, teachers have complained that the feet of those wearing flip-flops were not sufficiently protected,” he explained. A request that has been heard, but which does not pass with some college students.
A divisive ban
As for the students interviewed by the daily, this new banwhich comes some time after the controversy around the so-called “republican” outfit defended by Jean-Michel Blanquer, former Minister of National Education, makes absolutely no sense. Some highlight the comfort of these shoes compared to others, explaining: “We are more comfortable, we feel freer, even more when it’s hot.” For another schoolgirl, flip flops are much more hygienic, “It’s more hygienic to come in tap shoes, especially because your feet don’t smell.”
Others still express their disagreement with this type of decision imposed against their will, moreover on the choice of clothing. “There is too much rules related to our outfits”an indignant student. “If we have the right to wear sneakers, why not tap shoes?”, asks a teenager. “More people (or almost, editor’s note) doesn’t come in sock-slippers, but everyone should be able to dress how they want,” shouts another young girl.
The issue of clothing in schools continues to fuel debate. The academic Laure Bié, in a memoir entitled Proper attire required: the clothing of middle school students to the test of gender equalityhad noticed that these famous flip flops are frequently prohibited in schools because of the “beach side”but also for security reasons, such as “avoid accidents when running”. Finally, in the majority of cases, it is up to the establishment itself to judge whether or not an accessory or outfit is appropriate. A free interpretation which will seem to be continuously discussed, as long as no precise framework will be laid down by the National Education.