Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights on Thursday directed that schools should not insist on students to wear shoes and socks during the rainy season. The commission asked general education secretary, director and CBSE, Thiruvananthapuram regional officer, to direct the authorities of all schools across the state to comply with the commission’s directions.
A division bench comprising Shobha Koshy and K. Nazeer directed the officials to revert with action taken report within ten days. The commission directive came in the wake of a petition filed by a parent stating that children were developing health problems because of wearing wet shoes and socks throughout the day.
The parent urged the commission to direct schools to avoid shoes and socks during the rainy season. The commission issued urgent orders to safeguard the interests of the children. When contacted, general education secretary A.P. M. Mohammad Hanish said, “I haven’t seen the order yet. During the rainy season, clothes, shoes and socks get drenched. So we need to insist on convenient clothing and shoes.”
He said notwithstanding the fact that different schools have different uniforms, “I really would feel that the suggestions for the rainy season should be given a serious thought. Schools have adapted themselves to monsoon season in the past, we have not been insisting on any kind of strictures. But if there is a direction from the commission, it has to be complied with,” he added.
Mahesh D. Dharmadhikari, regional officer CBSE, said he had not received the commission order. “Once I get the order, I will seek the opinion from my superiors at the head office who are competent to take a decision on such issues. Basically, uniform issues are dealt with by individual schools, PTA and other stake holders,” he added.
A section of parents has complained that with schools enforcing strict uniform regulations and declining to make exceptions for footwear in monsoon, children often fall sick spending the entire day in their wet shoes and socks.
Even shoes which are suitable for rains, are not being allowed as it goes against the dress code. There are instances of schools insisting on students on bringing an extra pair of socks which they can change in the event of getting wet. There have been demands for allowing appropriate shoes like floaters.
