If the justification of black shoe because of economic factor then they should have abolished school uniform altogether. All can wear freely, but with dress code (wear shoes, dress decently) just like in universities... That's how to ease the burden for parents, not by changing colour of shoes. That's what most western kids wearing to school too

When the education system needed a new direction, one the first thing he highlighted on was black shoe instead of stating his vision, mission and action plan. His first impression was destroyed because of that

Same with Malaysia, anywhere have bullies in schools. rich & influenced people always bully weaker & poor people. Kids always compare their bag, stationeries, school shoe brand, school cloth brands etc anyway.

But if they really want to reduce parents & kids burden then free clothing with dress code the way to go, since most Maszlee defenders spin it as to help the parents for economic factor and kids for malas factor.

having a uniform is a way to mold the school student's mindset to one that does not ask too many questions of the government or authority.

you just become another cog in the machine.  Same reason why the syllables includes many memorization tasks, but very little on problem solving and on critical thinking.

just take a look at the joke of Moral Studies.

The practice of wearing school uniform has been adopted by many other countries, and is now common in many parts of the world. Uniforms can be regarded as promoting social equality among students and an esprit de corps, but have also been criticised for promoting a form of uniformity characteristic of militarism.