With only five days left until the start of a new academic year in Maharashtra, the state government's plan of one state, one uniform and centralising the production of school uniforms is still facing major obstacles. The goal was to provide two sets of uniforms to children from classes 1 to 8. This would include the Scout and Guide uniforms. The plan was to roll this out with the upcoming school year, beginning on June 15.
However, a recent circular from the MPSP (Maharashtra Prathamik Shikshan Parishad) states that schools are now responsible for arranging for the sewing of a second uniform at a cost of INR 100. This means each student will only receive one stitched outfit from the government.
The School Management Committees (SMCs) have criticised this decision. They claim there are insufficient funds and time to meet the criteria. The circular also requested that schools get the uniforms sewn locally. The SMCs are required to finish sewing the scout and guide uniforms, and the government will supply fabric for the same.
The delay in uniforms is due to logistical difficulties. The project of producing 88 lakh uniforms was challenging. The government encountered more challenges when it started the process in January. There were legal challenges about tendering procedures and differences in standard measurements.
Government sources claim that input from schools brought attention to differences in uniform requirements. There was a requirement for longer shorts and skirts and the provision of salwar kameez and dupattas in earlier grades. This made the production process more complex.
Later, women in self-help groups (SHGs) were involved in the stitching process. Therefore, garment traders also criticised this decision. They claimed that SHGs lacked the knowledge and tools needed to produce complex uniform designs.
The uniform guidelines say that boys will wear light blue shirts and dark blue half-pants or full-pants. Girls will wear light blue shirts, or kameez, and dark blue skirts, or salwars. The Scouts and Guides will also receive uniforms with shoulder stripes and side pockets.
In April of last year, the state's department of education decided to implement a new, uniformized dress code for all pupils attending government-run schools.
A Government Resolution (GR) published by the school education department in October of last year said that the Maharashtra Prathamik Shikshan Parishad (MPSP) would be in charge of providing these uniforms. These would be required for children in classes 1 through 8 in all government-run schools.
The state's department of education released a circular in January outlining the requirements for the shoes and socks that should be provided with uniforms. Government schools will receive state-provided uniforms. This include black shoes with buckles for girls and laces for guys. Two pairs of basic, knitted nylon socks will go with one pair of shoes. They could be black, grey, or navy blue in colour.
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