Northern Ireland's education minister, Paul Givan, announced on Friday that schools will be required to give female pupils the option of wearing trousers as part of their school uniform from next year.
The revised guidance, Mr Givan said, will also cover physical education and games, removing the ability of schools to prohibit girls from wearing trousers for lessons or sporting activities. "Today, I am taking that decision, that will be formally communicated, schools will be hearing from me," he told the BBC.
The move comes after critics accused the Democratic Unionist party minister of dragging his feet before making the change. Campaigners and opposition figures had called for clearer, more gender-neutral uniform policies in schools, arguing that current practices could be restrictive and discriminatory.
Mr Givan's announcement signals a formal policy shift that will be communicated to schools in the coming weeks. The revised guidance is expected to standardise practice across Northern Ireland schools by ensuring girls can opt for trousers as an alternative to skirts or dresses, including when participating in PE and games.
The change adds to an ongoing conversation about school uniform policies and gender equality within education systems. Schools will await the formal guidance from the education department for details on implementation and timing ahead of the next academic year.