Providing uniforms to students in schools a challenge for teachers

For the past six years, the government has been providing `400 for a set of uniform, that includes a pant, a shirt, a pair of shoes, socks, a cap and a jersey and a dupatta for girl students.

For the past six years, the government has been providing `400 for a set of uniform, that includes a pant, a shirt, a pair of shoes, socks, a cap and a jersey and a dupatta for girl students.

"I can't understand know how can one get a dress in `400 including shoes, while the cost of only a dupatta is more than `100", said Navdeep Kaur, education officer at Government Primary School in Ubhawal, the native village of finance minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa.

"I got a grant for the uniforms of 180 students, then I visited several readymade garment shops, but I found the amount quite meager. Then we arranged a tailor, who stitched the uniforms of the students. We also pay from our own pockets as the money is not sufficient," she said, adding, "Instead of teaching, now teachers are busy in preparing food, providing dresses and fighting with the agitating parents, who complain about the poor quality dress."

Similarly, Ranjeet Kaur of Government Primary School, Ganota (Lehragaga), said, "At least `800 per student are required for the proper dress of the students. In `400, you cannot buy good quality shoes from the market."

Kanta Rani, education officer at Government Primary School Dhuri, termed it a challenge for the teachers to get a complete dress in rs.400

"Though, we are managing to implement the direction of the government, but the authorities concerned should understand that it is not possible to manage every item of the dress in `400 and should increase the grant."

District education officer (secondary education) Nirmal Singh

Sidhu also expressed the same views. "When I was principal of a school, we used to contribute `100 extra to get a uniform for a student, now inflation has increased how a teacher can buy a uniform in `400 for a student of Class 8?", he asked.

According to Sher Singh Balewal, DEO (primary), Sangrur, a total of 1,30,615 students, including 94,305 girls, have been identified for the school uniform scheme. "Till date, we have got grant for 90,915 students and 86,740 students have already been provided uniform, and efforts are being made to provide uniform to the remaining students," he added.

However, Pushpinder Sharma of Government High School, Kheri, said that their school has not got any grant for the uniforms so far.