Impact of ‘one state, one uniform’ policy: 44 million students across the state have yet to receive uniforms | Mumbai News

Mumbai: The implementation of the ‘one state, one uniform’ policy in Maharashtra has left 44 million students in Zilla Parishad schools waiting for uniforms even though the academic year started a week ago on June 15.

Significant delays in uniform deliveries can be attributed to delays in the delivery of textiles by the retailer and frequent uniform policy changes – three times a year, which caused significant confusion, delaying the distribution process.

The ‘one state, one uniform’ policy aims to standardize uniforms for students of classes 1-8 in all government schools in the state of Maharashtra, starting from the academic year 2024-25. Historically, government schools had identical uniforms two decades ago, but this practice was later discontinued, allowing schools to choose their own uniforms. In rural areas, clusters of schools retained similar uniforms.

Parents and teachers expressed strong opposition to the state government’s policy. Sadanand Mohite, parent of a student from Vikramgad, said, “For the first time in five years, my son is going to school without uniform. This is very unfortunate. The government is implementing this policy without proper planning and feasibility study. To fulfill someone else’s ambition, the state government forced this decision on hundreds of thousands of students.”

Mohite also pointed out that students were reluctant to go to school without uniform. “Because our school uniform was very attractive. This year, students expected new uniforms but were very disappointed.

Under the new scheme, the state has entrusted the task of stitching uniforms to a self-help group registered under the name Maharashtra Arthik Vikas Mahamandal (MAVIM), which has drawn criticism from various stakeholders.

“For no reason, the government broke the previous system. In the older system, there was no chance of any abuse because the students provided it to the government ₹300 for uniform per student,” said Ramakant Malale, SMC member of Karjat-based Zilla Parishad School.

He also noted periodic policy changes affecting SMC and local suppliers.

Under the new policy, the government will provide one set of uniforms to be worn on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. At eleven o’clock, the state ordered the wearing of a second set, the “Scout and Guide” uniforms, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, to be organized by local school management committees (SMCs). However, SMC denied this responsibility, citing inappropriateness ₹110 for a uniform policy established by the state.

The owner of the self-help group said they would not be able to deliver the uniforms to schools before August because schools were still waiting for the necessary materials. The main reason for the delay was the failure of the only contractor assigned to deliver the material needed for the uniforms, which disrupted the entire sewing process.

“We still have not received any sewing accessories, including buttons, chains and other essentials,” said a self-help group owner from Ahmednagar district. He also pointed out that previously, most sewing shops received the wrong fabric, which had to be sent back to the seller because it wasted at least seven to eight days.

The Maharashtra Rajya Prathmik Shikshak Samitee (MRPSS) also expressed concerns, asking the government not to force the SMC to stitch. Vijay Kombe, chairman of MRPSS, questioned the feasibility of the task in such a short time. “Despite several resistances, the government was not ready to listen to any of the stakeholders as students are currently facing delays in receiving their uniforms. The government must punish those responsible for this chaos,” Kombe added.

Meanwhile, the owner of a Thane-based self-help group highlighted the reduced profit margins in her current job. “Previously, when we cooperated with schools, we made a profit of ₹100 to 105 for uniform which helped us cover our expenses. Now only with ₹80 for a uniform, managing the sewing fees for workers is difficult. Due to low labor costs, it is difficult to find employees willing to complete the work quickly, he added.

Show the provider a notification of the reason

Pradeepkumar Dange, commissioner of the Maharashtra Prathmik Shikshan Parishad (MPSP), confirmed the delays, attributing them to textile shortages on the supplier’s side. “We accept this delay at the initial stage of textile deliveries. We have sent a show cause notice to the supplier. Now, however, this process is being improved, and our priority remains to make uniforms available to children as soon as possible,” he said.

MPSP also granted an advance payment of ₹25 crore to MAVIM for tailoring work. “It’s also our first time. We make every effort to deliver uniforms as early as possible. We also ask MAVIM to speed up the work.”

An officer from MAVIM said, “The first delay was at the supplier level, which is affecting our schedule. But now we have been instructed to ensure that the self-help groups complete this work on time.”