PIONEER NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The National Association for Parents’ and Students’ Rights (NAPSR) has underscored the need for the Education department and the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) to implement stringent measures against the poor quality of school uniforms that could pose health risks to students. Many parents have expressed their concerns about schools mandating that they purchase uniforms exclusively from certain shops, which, in turn, provide substandard uniforms to students to enhance their profits. This situation not only places a financial burden on families but also raises health and comfort issues for students.
A parent Jagdish Dixit said that his children are currently enrolled in a private school. He has noticed that each year, he purchases new school uniforms, as they become tight or are not durable enough due to poor material quality. He alleged that the school has established connections with certain stores to supply uniforms to parents, dictating the commission rates. Consequently, the uniform shop owners are offering inferior quality items such as shirts, pants, ties and more. Recently, he purchased new uniforms for his children, but found the fabric to be inferior with the quality of the clothing compromised. This not only forces him to buy replacements annually but also affects the comfort of his children while wearing them at school. Regarding this, some action should be taken, he said.
Similarly, another parent, Sushma voiced her concerns and urged the authorities to address this problem, which affects not only the financial burden on parents but also the well-being of their children. She averred that the owner of the school uniform shop sells low-quality products due to the commissions tied to the schools, which pressure parents to purchase them annually for their children.
Many other parents have shared similar concerns regarding the poor quality of the school uniforms.
President of NAPSR, Arif Khan expressed concern stating that the schools have created different uniforms for summer, house dress and winter uniform. “Additionally, the schools have partnered with specific shops and compel parents to purchase uniforms solely from these locations. In exchange, these shops provide subpar uniforms due to the commissions received. The winter blazers, for instance, are of such poor quality that they shrink after just one or two washes, forcing parents to repeatedly buy new ones for their children, further straining their finances,” Khan said.
He further said that the quality of the school uniform shirt and others is poor, as they are made with a blend of materials including polyester and other low-quality materials instead of pure cotton. This results in an uncomfortable experience for students when wearing them. Particularly during the summer season, students may be at risk of skin issues. Therefore, it is essential for the district administration, the education department and the SCPCR to take action, not only considering the financial impact on parents but also prioritising the health of the students, he said.
