13/10/2026
KNOW YOUR POLICY 🎒
DepEd Policy Says Public School Uniforms Are Optional And Student IDs Are Free
For many Filipino families, buying a school uniform and paying for a student ID may seem like an automatic part of sending a child to public school.
But longstanding Department of Education policy says otherwise.
Under DepEd Order No. 45, s. 2008, public elementary and secondary students are not required to wear school uniforms. DepEd later reiterated the same rule under DepEd Order No. 41, s. 2012, which states that students with existing uniforms may continue wearing them if they choose.
The same 2012 order also states that student identification cards must be provided at no cost to learners, with school heads or principals funding the IDs through the school’s Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses or MOOE.
That does not mean students may wear just anything to school.
Under DepEd Order No. 46, s. 2008, learners are still expected to wear appropriate school attire. The order gives suggested clothing options while emphasizing that attire should not become a source of discrimination, especially for students from lower-income families.
DepEd Order No. 41 also states that its guidelines remain effective in succeeding school years unless revised or repealed.
The policy continues to be cited today.
In May 2026, DepEd Butuan City Curriculum Implementation Division chief Dr. Kevin Hope Z. Salvaña reminded families that uniforms are not a prerequisite for enrollment or attendance in public schools.
“We do not require uniforms in our public schools. So, they can still go to school without a uniform. Wearing decent clothes is already enough,” Salvaña said during a Philippine Information Agency program.
The important distinction is that schools may encourage uniforms and still require proper, decent attire, but under the cited national DepEd policy, wearing a uniform itself should not become a barrier to attending public school.
For families managing education expenses, knowing that uniforms are optional and student IDs should be provided without charge can make a meaningful difference.
