An MIC leader has criticised the Education Ministry's move to allow Form Six students to choose not to wear uniforms, saying that it will create a divide between the rich and poor.

Furthermore, Youth chief C Sivarraajh said the ruling on attire would not have an impact on the standard of education.

"The move will also create a divide between rich and poor students. The rich will show off with their expensive dresses and the poor will suffer from an inferiority complex.

"Worse, this will directly affect the poor students' studies," he added in a statement today.

Describing the move as a "bad idea", Sivarraajh said it would also lead to numerous disciplinary problems, with regard to adhering to the dress code.

"Teachers, who are already overworked, will have an additional role to check on students to ensure they are properly attired.

"The purpose of wearing uniforms to schools is to eliminate individual choices. Now conflicts will arise more often between teachers and students," he added.

Moreover, the MIC Youth chief said the decision would also bring additional pressure to parents with children demanding for fashionable clothes.  

"Students, especially girls, will waste their time thinking of what to wear each morning.

"With uniforms eliminated, students will compete to wear what is the 'in thing' putting pressure on parents to acquire additional clothes," he added.

Education Ministry director-general Khair Mohamad Yusof was reported as announcing that schools can no longer compel Form Six Students to wear standard attire and would be allowed to use traditional outfits or other apparel as part of their dress code.