Romania to amend mandatory school uniform bill following student protests

Legislative proposal and Senate approval

The Romanian Social Democratic Party (PSD) initiated a legislative proposal to amend Pre-university Education Law no. 198/2023, introducing mandatory school uniforms for pre-university students nationwide. Under the initial text passed by the Senate in late September (with reports recording the vote date as 21, 22, or 25 September 2026), students are required to wear uniforms in accordance with each pre-university institution's internal regulations. The measure establishes that the exact design and clothing elements are determined by each school's administrative board, subject to the approval of the representative parents' council. To address financial burdens on families, the bill includes mechanisms to provide uniforms free of charge or subsidize their acquisition through public funding. Following the Senate vote, the legislative package moved to the Chamber of Deputies for further review.

Student opposition and nationwide protest

The legislative move prompted swift backlash from student advocacy groups, who stated that pupils had not been consulted during the drafting process. The National Student Council (Consiliul Național al Elevilor, or CNE) criticized the policy and formally requested that the Chamber of Deputies reject the draft law. On Monday, 28 September 2026, the CNE coordinated a nationwide protest across secondary schools, encouraging pupils to attend classes wearing black clothing. The organization argued that institutional resources should focus on resolving severe structural problems in Romanian schools rather than standardizing dress codes.

If you also believe that mandatory uniforms do not solve the problems of Romanian schools, on Monday, 28 September, come to school dressed in black as a sign of protest. Education is not fixed at the tailor!

Parliamentary talks and student inclusion amendment

In response to the demonstrations, PSD Senate leader and bill co-initiator Daniel Zamfir scheduled consultations at the Senate on Friday, 2 October 2026. The meeting brought together four student representatives from the CNE (Mihnea Haiduc, Bogdan Enache, Bogdan Gogan, and Anda Șinca) and leaders from three parent associations. The participating parent delegates included Sorin Berilă of the Parents' Alliance (Alianța Părinților), Eugen Ilea of the Parents' Federation (Federația Părinților-PRO EDU), and Valentin Ilie, Sorin Panait, and Ioan Rotaru representing the National Federation of Parents (Federația Națională a Părinților-EDUPART). The talks focused on addressing student grievances regarding representation and input in school decisions.

I was in complete agreement and I will support as an amendment in the Chamber of Deputies their request that the appearance of each school's uniform result from the total involvement of the students. At the same time, students believe that education has multiple problems and that introducing mandatory attire is not necessarily a priority.

Legislative progression in the lower house

Following the discussion, Zamfir stated in a public post that the opinions of lawmakers, students, and parents were not fundamentally divergent, describing the controversy as a false conflict amplified by divisive actors. He expressed regret that formal dialogue had not occurred before the initial parliamentary vote, noting that earlier consultations could have prevented hostility surrounding the bill. Zamfir acknowledged that education in Romania faces numerous severe challenges that mandatory uniforms alone cannot solve, though he maintained that the measure remains a necessary policy step. The draft law now proceeds to the Chamber of Deputies, which serves as the final decision-making body, where lawmakers will review the proposed amendment granting students direct oversight of uniform designs.