Punjab: School heads ‘reluctant’ to accept uniforms over quality issues

Punjab: The project director of the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) has written to district education officers in Punjab, saying that uniforms being distributed through self-help groups (SHGs) are “not being received” by many school heads. This comes after the distribution of uniforms began among underprivileged students studying in classes 1 to 8 in Kiratpur Sahib, Salora and Mianpur blocks of Ropar. Many teachers said they were “reluctant” to receive the uniforms due to quality and measurement issues. Dismissing quality concerns, Punjab education minister alleged that “some vested interests were against involving self-help groups in providing uniforms”. Over the past few years, the education department has been gradually moving from the practice of involving school management committees to self-help groups. This year, the department has decided to procure uniforms for six lakh students from SHGs. In the current academic session, 14 lakh poor students will be given uniforms at Rs 600 per uniform. The government has set aside Rs 35 crore for this. Uniforms for the remaining students are being procured through school management committees. Several school heads and parents have questioned the quality of the cloth being used for the uniforms. They say the uniforms do not have items like ties and belts. Harpal Singh, father of a Class II student from Kotla Nihang village, said that apart from quality, the size of the uniform given to his daughter is also an issue. ‘Centralised system is being blamed’ He said, “Earlier, the vendor used to come to the school with the uniform and make changes on the spot as per the need and provide ties and belts.” A primary school teacher said that currently a centralised system is being followed, under which they provide the measurements of students to the district education officer through the block education officer. The teacher said, “The uniforms being provided are of poor quality and are not as per the measurements.” Sukhwinder Singh Chahal, president of the Rajkiya Shikshak Sangh, claimed that this situation has arisen because the department has stopped the practice of involving school management committees.