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A Christchurch high school is making students on detention walk around in orange overalls.
Shirley Boys' High School principal John Laurenson has defended the practice saying that the overalls, which have 'work crew' printed on the back, were not intended to humiliate but to keep the boys' uniforms clean.
"It is usually a punishment to fit the crime. If a boy's seen dropping litter, he picks up litter. If he's treading all over the rose garden, he might do weeding," he told the Press newspaper.
They were worn "purely to preserve the uniform", he said.
New Zealand Parent Teacher Association vice-president Margaret Mooney said the suits were "extremely radical" as they would make the student conspicuous.
"Making kids stand out in orange boiler suits is a form of humiliation," she said.
However, Mr Laurenson said parents and students had never complained about the overalls, which had been in use for many years.
- NZPA
