Civvies Day Pressure Creates Negative Emotions For Some Teens, 2026 (watch)
Civvies day may seem fun at school, but for many South African families it creates financial pressure. Education activist Hendrick Makaneta calls for schools to rethink civvies day to ensure learners from impoverished communities are not excluded.
Cristina Diaconu on Unsplash
Civvies Day Can Highlight Inequality Among Learners
For many learners, casual day is seen as a break from routine — a day to swap school uniforms for stylish outfits and express personal style. However, education activist Hendrick Makaneta believes that casual days may be placing unnecessary pressure on learners and parents, especially in a country where many communities are struggling financially.
South Africa continues to face significant levels of poverty, with millions of families living in under-resourced communities where every rand counts. In these households, even small school-related expenses can become a burden.
School uniforms were originally designed to create equality among learners. Regardless of a child’s background, everyone looks the same in uniform. But civvies day removes that sense of equality and can unintentionally highlight economic differences between learners.
The Hidden Cost of Civvies Day for Parents
A Teen-Approved Outfit Can Be Expensive
The pressure to look fashionable on civvies day can push parents to spend money they had not planned to spend. For teenagers, a “cool” outfit often includes branded sneakers, trendy jeans and a stylish top.
A typical outfit might cost:
- Sneakers: around R800 – R1 500
- Jeans: about R400 – R700
- T-shirt or hoodie: R250 – R600
Altogether, one outfit could easily cost between R1 400 and R2 800, an amount that is simply unrealistic for many families already managing rising food, electricity and transport costs.
For learners who cannot afford new clothing, civvies day can quickly turn into a stressful experience where they feel judged or left out.
Rethinking Civvies Day in Schools
Makaneta has called on the Department of Basic Education to review how civvies day events are handled in schools. If these events continue, participation should always remain optional.
Learners who prefer to stay in their school uniforms should feel comfortable doing so without fear of judgement.
Schools play an important role in promoting dignity, equality and inclusion. Activities meant to build school spirit — like civvies day — should never create division among learners who are already navigating very different economic realities.
Update on latest developments
Youth Express will update our readers once we find out what alternative way schools can fundraise while keeping the mental health of their learners in alignment.
Chat to us at editor@youthexpress.co.za with your opinion on the matter.
Supercharge your career or organization with Melini Moses, click the word: SUCCESS
Share our posts with your friends, please!
