Disciplinary Regulation Approved by Cabinet, Published in Official Gazette

The updated regulation, titled Regulation on Rules and Discipline Inside and Outside of Secondary and High Schools (Amendment), delegates the authority to determine student dress codes in compulsory education entirely to school administrations. For high school students, it allows the wearing of certain garments in accordance with their religious beliefs, alongside their school uniforms.

Berova stated that the regulation was drafted with careful consideration of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child—ratified by the Republic’s Assembly in 1996—and other human rights and child protection standards. The final version was shaped after extensive deliberations within the UBP parliamentary group and submitted to the Cabinet by the Ministry of National Education.

The regulation is based on two main principles:

1. Dress codes must not obstruct equal opportunity in education and must comply with pedagogical principles.

2. Discrimination of any kind through attire in the educational environment is strictly rejected.

Berova emphasized that school uniforms remain the standard, with no room for ideological symbols, messages, or badges. The specific design of uniforms will be decided by each school administration.

For students in compulsory education, school administrations will have full authority over attire decisions. High school students, however, will be allowed to wear religious attire that does not cover the school uniform, with regulations concerning color, shape, size, and style to be specified by the Ministry of National Education via official circulars.

Responding to controversy on social and traditional media, Berova dismissed claims that the regulation could allow items such as turbans or fezzes as baseless and unfounded. “Let me be very clear,” he said, “any additional garments worn with school uniforms will be at the discretion of school administrations. For high school students—who are beyond the age of compulsory education—requests to wear certain garments will be considered, provided they do not conceal the uniform, and will be guided by ministry-issued circulars, which may evolve over time.”

The regulation came into force upon its publication in the Official Gazette.