DepEd School Uniform Policy for Learners in 2025: Updates and Guidelines

In line with its vision of inclusive, affordable, and cost-effective education, the Department of Education (DepEd) has updated its school uniform policy for 2025. This move aims to promote practical cost-cutting measures to help every Filipino learner access education. It is more important to ensure that all learners can attend school, with or without a uniform. Thus, the official DepEd policy does not require learners to wear a uniform in 2025, as long as they follow the school’s established dress code. On the other hand, the department strictly directs teachers to follow the guidelines for the Schedule of National Teachers’ Uniforms.

This official policy of the Department of Education is outlined in DepEd Order No. 45, s. 2008. It highlights the importance of removing any obstacles, especially financial ones, to ensure that learners can enroll in public schools. Meanwhile, other expenses, such as learners’ IDs, shall continue to be covered by each school’s allotted MOOE (Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses).

Background on DepEd Uniform Policies

The concept of wearing school uniforms in the Philippines dates back to the early establishment of formal education during the American Colonial Period. Historical records show that the Americans modeled the Philippine education system after their public education structure. As a result, they introduced many educational practices and traditions, including the wearing of school uniforms. However, many schools at that time did not strictly require their learners to wear official uniforms.

After World War II, most public and private schools began adopting school uniforms. By the mid-1990s, the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), now known as DepEd, issued general guidelines for school uniforms. It granted individual schools the autonomy to design and implement their dress codes. According to the department, these uniforms should promote school identity, instill discipline, and foster a sense of belonging.

However, DepEd is now shifting its priorities toward educational inclusivity and the removal of barriers to accessible learning. The economic realities, especially among low-income families, have made it difficult for them to acquire decent school uniforms. Thus, DepEd issued an order clarifying its school uniform policy in 2025 that public school learners are not required to wear school uniforms.

DepEd Order No. 45 s. 2008

DepEd Order No. 45, s. 2008, issued on June 19, 2008, clarifies the Department of Education’s policy on the use of school uniforms and student ID cards in public schools. The order emphasizes that wearing a school uniform is not a requirement for enrollment or attendance. Public school students should not be denied access to education simply because they do not have a uniform. This move aims to lessen the financial burden on families and to encourage greater participation in basic education.

The policy also states that identification (ID) cards must either be provided free of charge or at minimal, voluntary cost. Learners and their families should not be required to pay for IDs as a condition for enrollment. This order reflects DepEd’s broader goal of promoting inclusive and accessible education. It aims to eliminate non-essential expenses that could hinder a child’s right to learn.

Dress Code for Learners Without School Uniforms

While the Department of Education does not mandate school uniforms in public schools, learners are still required to adhere to the school’s dress code. This dress code states that learners must wear simple, decent, and non-offensive clothing. Additionally, the attire must be appropriate for a safe and conducive learning environment. The detailed dress code for all public schools is shown below.

• Wear simple and modest clothing appropriate for a school setting.
• Clothes must be clean and well-maintained to promote hygiene and neatness.
• Avoid garments with offensive, vulgar, or inappropriate images or text.
• No revealing or excessively tight clothing (e.g., shorts, spaghetti straps, cropped tops).
• Footwear should be safe and appropriate for school activities (e.g., no slippers unless allowed for specific reasons).
• Avoid clothing that promotes violence, discrimination, or substance use.
• Headwear (caps, hats, etc.) may be restricted during class hours unless for medical or religious reasons.
• Students should maintain personal grooming and hygiene.
• No discriminatory enforcement—students should not be sent home or excluded from class if their attire is modest and non-disruptive.

FAQs about the DepEd School Uniform Policy in 2025