SHUBHANGI SHIFA
Ranchi, April 15: As private schools in the city reopen after an almost two-year break, several schools, including Gurunanak High School, Cambrian Public School and Surendranath Centenary have changed their school uniforms.
Meanwhile others like St Thomas have forced parents to buy new uniforms because they have ‘brought changes in their logo’. Almost 60 percent of schools in the city including DAV Swarnrekha and Tiny Tots in Vidyanagar seem to have taken a similar path to make up for money lost during the pandemic.
As a result, parents fear enrolling their children in these schools may prove to be a lost deal. One parent Mukesh Singh said, “Earlier getting a kid into schools was tough, now it seems like the battle is not over just yet. Now we even have to run for uniforms and books that usually a school prescribes we purchase from a designated shop.” Several parents that had already bought new dresses for their children are now forced to return them because of either the new uniform or a minute change.
Several parents did express disappointment in the matter saying if they complained much about it, “Their children may end up suffering.”
The vice principal of a private school in Ranchi said, “Only a limited number of schools seem to have changed uniforms and books. Everything is normal in other places.” He said that during the pandemic, all the school managements have suffered huge losses. After two years, the game of extortion is going on in the open schools through uniforms and books. This is happening because of the hefty commissions that book publishers are paying school managements. He further added, “The school management gets a commission of up to 20-30 percent on uniforms and books without doing anything. Who can say no to that kind of money?’
A uniforms shop owner, over the condition of not revealing his name said, “None of the parents that bought uniforms from us and then returned because of changed uniforms, were informed prior to the purchase. Some shopkeepers provide commission to these schools and make a partnership for selling the said uniforms.”
He further continued, “They do not seem to care that even the parents had troubles during Covid. Schools like St Thomas have changed their logo and added their name on the lapel of the trousers. I don’t know if this will help in the education of children, but it seems like schools believe this will help.”
The Education Department claims to have an eye on the issue, but states that without proper proof, no action may be taken. Ranchi DSE Kamala Singh, when asked of this issue said, “It is not in our control to check which books or the kind of uniform a school permits at their premises. We can say nothing to these schools changing their uniforms after reopening; neither can we comment over the selection of books by the schools.”
When questioned about the difficulties parents may have to face due to the sudden changes, he said, “Even though I understand, it is completely a private school’s jurisdiction if they want to change their uniform.”
Meanwhile, the government in Punjab led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has issued stern orders against all private schools. New orders have been issued by the Mann government regarding uniforms and books. As per the orders, private schools will no longer be able to change school uniforms and dress codes for two years. In addition, there is a complete ban on private schools forcing parents to buy books from a particular shop. A press note has also been issued accordingly. It also said that strict action would be taken against those private schools if the tax was violated.
