Students wearing the same school uniform are drawn together by a common bond as they identify themselves with the culture of the school. They may be strangers to one another but because they wear the same uniform, there is a sense of camaraderie of belonging to a group of people, which defines themselves by a given set of principles, values and purpose for their existence in the society. This creates an identity for the individuals of the school.
The uniform also creates a sense of unity for a community of people. This bond of belonging to a set of intangible values such as culture, values and beliefs of the school is manifested by the tangible form of any individual wearing the uniform. Anybody on the street would be able to tell which school that person is from, by the school uniform and would also think of what that community of people has achieved or been identified with. Thus, those wearing the school uniform would be compelled to live up to the image it has created for the society at large. For example, if NUS High is noted for being a school, which excels in Math and Science, a look at a student in uniform from the school would create a certain impression on the minds of the public. He would most likely think the student must be one who is really good at Math and Science.
It is reasonable to conclude that while the school uniform helps to instill a sense of identity within the students, it also compels them to live up to the moral standards expected of them. A deviant behaviour of a student in uniform would not only bring about shame to himself, but also to the school he represents. He has to observe decorum and propriety in public places, especially when he is in uniform, for he not only represents himself, but a community of people whose reputation is at stake if he misbehaves. In a way, being in uniform exacts the best behaviour for a student.
Some time ago, a student from a renown school was rude to a bus-driver and straightaway, the headlines of the newspaper was splashed with unflattering coverage of the incident bringing disrepute to the school. When one student mars the image of the school, the public views of the school is difficult to correct. Therefore, each school often tries very hard to maintain a clean image so that the media would not be given any opportunity to cast the school in bad light. Students are often reminded to refrain from shouting or unruly acts. It is hoped that students would be proud of the school they belong to and thus be morally obligated to raise the reputation of the school in the eye of the public. Understandably, it is easy to see why a student in his school uniform would tend to be more kind and caring towards the elderly in public.
From all these, we can see that by wearing the school uniform creates a sense of identity and helps to bring out the best in an individual.
