ACT Education Minister Andrew Barr said yesterday that some high schools would unveil their uniforms from next year, which they had designed in collaboration with their students and Canberra Institute of Technology fashion students.

''There are a number of schools that are already well advanced. Some have new uniforms already, others are looking at becoming part of this program,'' Mr Barr said.

''It is an area where, for the 2010 school year and beyond, some of our public high schools will be making changes.''

Under the ACT's public school system, it is up to principals to determine the uniform policy.

But there had been strong interest from schools and students. Uniforms would not be compulsory, but Mr Barr said he hoped that by giving students input into the colours and design, they would be more likely to voluntarily wear them.

Mr Barr revealed the uniforms change while announcing that independent and Catholic schools would join the ACT Government's Safe Schools Taskforce, which develops policies on tackling bullying. It includes representatives of police, school, principals, the teachers' union and the Education Department.

Mr Barr said public schools could learn from the non-government sector, and uniforms were an important part of instilling community and school pride.

''I think that's an area where there's perhaps been some challenges for public high schools around the sense of school culture and identity that's created around the uniform,'' he said.

''I'm not advocating that they become compulsory and that students would be excluded from education by not wearing the uniform, but I think our public schools can look to the example that is set by the Catholic and independent sectors that comes with having uniforms and a greater sense of school identity.''

Meanwhile, the Opposition will table a Bill tomorrow to allow ACT public school principals to suspend students for up to 20 days.