Mexico City officials have announced a "gender neutral" policy on school uniforms, saying boys can wear skirts and girls can wear pants if they want.

For decades, public schools in the capital and the rest of the country have required standardized plaid pants for boys and plaid skirts for girls. Girls could wear sweat pants for gym class.

Students risked being sent home if they showed up for classes in anything different.

But Mexico City's mayor said Monday that students at primary or grade schools can wear pants or skirts without fear of punishment.

Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum said "this is about equality and fairness." On social media, opponents quickly criticized the move and posted a slogan reading "Education, or Indoctrination? Equality, or Imposing Gender Ideology?"