Cuban schoolboys will be wearing shorts and not long trousers next school year, because of an economy drive.

The change in school uniform will apply to boys enrolled in the fifth and sixth grades of elementary school from the 1998-99 academic year onwards.

Cuban station, Radio Rebelde, said on Tuesday that considerable thought has been given to the design of the new uniform.

"After discussing several designs with the Jose Marti Pioneers Organization and the Union of Young Communists - among others - the short pants design will have deep side pockets, creases in the front, knee-height pockets, and belt loops," the radio report said.

"The new uniform will also be more fashionable and more appropriate for our country's weather," it added.

The change in the uniform means that Cuba will be able to make big savings on the red fabric that is normally used in the manufacture of uniforms.

It will be possible to produce an additional 28,000 items of clothing, shorts included

The new uniforms will be manufactured as from January.

They will be ready by March, in order to have sufficient time for them to be distributed before the start of the new school year.
 

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