Now, uniforms of government schools in Rajasthan set for a makeover

JAIPUR: Come April and students of government-run schools in Rajasthan may be seen in new and fashionable uniforms, replacing the fivedecade-old combination of blue shirt and khaki short or skirt. The school dress will either be in the colour combination of yellow and blue or white and grey.

The state education department has appointed a committee to design a fashionable school uniform for government school students. It has shortlisted a few options which, officials said, are widely available, easy to stitch and represent the Indian culture.

At present, 60 lakh students wear blue shirts and khakhi shorts or skirts in 72,990 government schools.

The Rajasthan government came up with the decision to change the uniforms so that government school students do not feel inferior to those going to private schools, state education minister Vasudev Devnani said here.

“The existing uniform has become synonymous with the poor state of affairs in the government schools over the years. Now, government schools are fast changing, progressing and have superseded private schools in many ways. The colourful new uniform will boost the confidence of our students,“ she said.

An official said,“The education budget doesn't have any head for school uniforms. The Centre has shown interest in our proposal of sharing on a 40:60 ratio to meet the fund for uniforms.“