PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE | DEHRADUN
The State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) chairperson Geeta Khanna has urged parents to directly inform the commission regarding any private school that provides substandard uniforms and other related issues.
Recently, The Pioneer highlighted concerns from many parents about schools mandating that they purchase uniforms from specific shops that provide low-quality uniforms, ultimately aimed at increasing their profits.
This situation not only imposes a financial burden on families but also raises health and comfort issues for students. In response to these concerns, the National Association for Parents’ and Students’ Rights (NAPSR) has emphasised the need for the Education department and SCPCR to enforce strict measures against poor-quality school uniforms that could also pose health risks to students.
Khanna stated that the commission regularly addresses issues related to fees, books and other concerns promptly. Earlier, she wrote to the district magistrate about several violations by bookshops, resulting in the sealing of some shops. Additionally, she has consistently reached out to the Education department, issuing guidelines and insisting that strict action should be taken if any school is found engaging in practices that exploit students.
The SCPCR chief said that the commission conducts inspections at regular intervals but it is challenging for the commission to inspect every school regarding uniforms and other related matters. Therefore, she encouraged parents to inform the commission about specific schools that have ties with shops providing substandard uniforms. Based on these complaints, she assured that the commission would take strict action against such schools.
Khanna expressed concerns about the use of synthetic fabrics in school uniforms, stating that they are not suitable for students. During summer, synthetic materials can cause overheating, while in winter, they may lead to students feeling cold. With the rise in dengue, she warned that students wearing long-sleeved clothing made from synthetic materials could be at risk of various skin infections and ailments, including heat stroke, fungal infections and dehydration. It is preferable for school uniforms to be made of pure cotton for the well-being of students, she added.
