The Education Department's provisions for free textbooks, mid-day meals, bicycles, and uniforms for school students are facing serious delays. As a result, the goals of these schemes are being compromised. After several months into the academic session, the supply of milk has just started for students.

No Sign of Uniforms After Half a Session

Even after half the academic session has passed, there is still no sign of the uniforms for students. The situation is particularly concerning for the bicycle scheme meant for female students commuting from remote villages. Students in grades one to eight should receive their uniforms on the first day of school to ensure they can wear them throughout the session.

Large Number of Students Affected

According to the Shala Darpan portal, there are 56,68,253 students studying in government schools from grades one to eight in the state. These children have been waiting for their free uniforms since July. Last academic session, the situation was similar, with delays caused by a failure to allocate the budget on time.

Tender Process Stalled

Sources from the Directorate of Education indicate that the School Education Council invited tenders for uniform purchases. However, the conditions stipulated that only firms experienced in both fabric manufacturing and stitching could participate. This requirement has led to complications, as fabric manufacturers and garment companies operate separately. Consequently, the tender process has stalled.

Parents Left to Arrange Uniforms

With half of the current academic session already over, school heads still lack information on when students will receive their uniforms. In the meantime, parents are forced to arrange for uniforms to be stitched on their own. The state government has announced a provision for ready-made stitched uniforms, but it remains to be seen when these will be made available to students.

Source:Media Reports