All Queensland schoolgirls will have the choice to wear shorts or pants at state schools following an overhaul of uniform policy.

State Education Minister Grace Grace on Sunday confirmed uniforms would be brought into the modern age from next year.

“We know around 60 per cent of state schools are already offering these uniform options for girls, but we found that some schools had not updated their student dress codes in many years,” she said.

“Girls should be able to engage in active play and classroom activities or ride their bikes to and from school without being restricted by what they’re wearing.”

It will be up to schools to decide what design, colour or style of uniforms will be offered to students, Ms Grace added.

Liberal National Party Leader Deb Frecklington supported the move but said it should not take until next year for schools to make pants or shorts available.

“Girls should be able to run and jump and play around our school grounds just like boys can,” she said.

“Girls have been doing this for years, if not generations. I don’t know what the big delay is.”

Ms Grace originally flagged the change in March.

Stretton State College was already allowing schoolgirls to wear shorts.

Executive Principal Jan Maresca said only about half of the girls wanted to wear a skirt.

“We listened to our girls and made changes so they can be comfortable in their uniforms,” Ms Maresca said.

“Come into our school now and you’ll see girls kicking a football, playing handball, lying under a tree reading a book and hanging from monkey bars unrestricted.”

-AAP