Agartala: The Tripura unit of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) has threatened to launch an agitation, demanding that the state government reverse its decision to introduce standardized school uniforms for students of government schools.
The Education Department recently issued a notification stating that a single uniform would be implemented for all government schools, including Vidyajyoti and PM-SHRI institutions, starting from the next academic session.
The directive aims to ensure resemblance in uniforms among schools of the same category.
Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, NSUI leader Amir Hussain strongly condemned the move, calling for an immediate rollback.
The union’s protest highlights growing opposition to the government’s new policy on student attire.
“We strongly opposed the move. The decision has been taken to give undue privilege to a businessman from Gujarat. The local businessmen who are engaged in making and supplying school dresses will suffer,” he said.
According to Hussain, more than 4,00,000 students are currently enrolled in various government-run schools across the state.
“The contract, which was given to a Gujarati businessman for supplying school dresses, may involve Rs 50 crore. The fund, which is meant for the local dressmakers, will now go to Gujarat,” he stated.
Asserting that the NSUI and the Youth Congress will jointly launch statewide agitation demanding the rollback of the decision, Hussain urged the students and youth to come out against the government’s move.
ALSO READ: Tripura constructs 443 earthen check dams to support farming and fish production
Nilkamal Saha, President of Tripura Youth Congress, alleged that the school dress contract was given to a Gujarati businessman before the Education Department issued a notification over the introduction of standardised school uniforms for all government-run schools.
All Vidyajyoti, PM-SHRI and other government schools will adopt a common uniform, the notification issued by the School Education department on September 11 said.
This uniform directive shall not be applicable to Shishu Bihar H.S. School, West Tripura, Sukhamoy H.S. School, West Tripura, Umakanta Academy, West Tripura, and PM SHRI Radha Kishore Institution, Unakoti district. This dress code will be applicable to all students from Classes I to XII studying in all Government Schools except the four schools.
All District Education Officers (DEOs) have been instructed to direct the Principals, Vice-Principals, Headmasters, Headmistresses, Assistant Headmasters/ Headmistresses, and Teachers-in-Charge of all government schools under their jurisdiction to adopt the prescribed uniform colour and design for students of Classes I to XII.
