Do not use plastic Tricolours, says state education dept

Schools have been instructed not to use national flags made of plastic during national days or other celebrations.

Schools have been instructed not to use national flags made of plastic during national days or other celebrations. Taking a strict stance on proper handling of the national flag, the state school education department has asked schools to use flags with care.

The order has been sent to schools ahead of the Republic Day celebrations on January 26.

Plastic flags and other paraphernalia with Tricolour embossed on it are sold outside schools during national days. Even schools distribute such paraphernalia to students during certain events.

“National flags, made of paper or plastic, or paraphernalia with tricolour embossed on it, strewn across the school campus or the road have become a common sight on school campuses, streets,” reads the resolution issued on December 5. It also observed that school students and teachers do not know how to handle the national flag properly.

So the department issued strict guidelines for schools to follow while, handling the national flag, in line with the home department guidelines issued on June 1.

One of the major points in the guidelines is that school management will be held responsible if students are found disrespecting the flag. If needed during school events, only small paper flags can be given to students on the condition that they handle it with care.

Some of the school principals said that the guidelines are unnecessarily severe. “Small children might mishandle the flag unknowingly, this needs to be taken into consideration,” said Prashant Redij, principal, Hilda Castelino High School, Kandivli.

Schools are also against putting a stop on plastic flags. Anil Bornare, teacher from Swami Muktananda High School, Chembur said, “Paper flags can be easily torn while plastic flags are long lasting,” he said.