Pune: The Maharashtra government’s ambitious ‘One State One Uniform’ scheme, aimed at bringing uniformity to government schools across the state, is facing implementation challenges. The scheme, which intends to provide free uniforms to students, has encountered certain obstacles that have impacted its full execution.
Under the previous system, each zilla parishad (ZP) had the authority to determine the uniform color for its schools and allocate funds for free uniforms. However, the new scheme introduces a standardized uniform color to be followed by all ZP schools. While the government initially planned to distribute two uniforms per student, only one uniform will be provided in the current academic year.
The school management committees of all schools have been allocated a fund of Rs 300 per student to cover uniform expenses. The funds are distributed proportionately based on the number of students. However, the distribution of uniforms is limited to girls, students from backward classes, and those below the poverty line (BPL). This leaves boys in the open category without uniforms for this year as well.
Addressing the situation, Deepak Kesarkar, the school education minister, explained, “Although we have launched the ‘One State One Uniform’ scheme, some school management committees had already placed orders for new uniforms. These schools will receive concessions under this scheme. However, we have decided to alleviate the financial burden on students for the current academic year 2023-2024. Therefore, we will distribute one uniform per student, with allocated funds totaling Rs 300 crore.”
As part of the new scheme, students will receive a single textbook that covers all subjects, eliminating the need for separate textbooks for each subject. Four books will be provided free of cost to students throughout the year, with each book covering a three-month period. This replaces the previous practice of using separate textbooks for different subjects. From the following year, each student will be provided with two uniforms as per the scheme.
However, concerns have been raised regarding the expansion of secondary sections in several ZP schools, accommodating classes up to VIII. An anonymous senior official from the education department of Pune Zilla Parishad expressed apprehension about the lack of clarity regarding uniform provisions and fund allocation for this additional class, which has been implemented in numerous schools across the state.
With the end of the summer vacation for students from Class I to Class X on June 14, the Pune Zilla Parishad had planned to distribute free textbooks and uniforms on the first day of school. However, due to the aforementioned challenges, only one uniform was provided to girls and economically weaker section (EWS) and below poverty line (BPL) male students. Male students in the open category will not receive new uniforms in accordance with the state government’s directive.
