School makes suits mandatory for girls, stirs controversy

Charanjit Singh Teja

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Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 6

In a controversial move, Kundan Vidya Mandir School has made wearing suits mandatory for girl students. The decision was implemented today, the first day of the new academic session.

The school authorities said the step was taken for the safety of the girls. Earlier, the girls would wear skirts up to Class XII. Sources said the authorities had observed serious behavioral issues among the students.

Navita Puri, principal, said the decision was taken after consulting the parents. "We are concerned about our students. It is for the safety of girl students," she said.

Some parents also supported the decision. "Nothing is wrong in this move. We don't want someone to click photographs of our children and share it on social network. We have to maintain the decorum of educational institutions," said Kawar Jatinder Singh Bajwa, a parent.

The sources said the DAV College Governing Council might also replace skirts with salwar-suits in its schools nationwide.

JK Sidhu, principal, DAV Public School, BRS Nagar, said: "We have received directions from Delhi to replace skirts with salwar suits. We will implement it from the next academic session. We have not received much opposition on the matter."

Mona Singh, principal, Guru Nanak Public School, said: "It is the problem of gender sensitisation. Changing the dress won't make any change in the mindsets. I fear that one day people would again suggest the century-old 'parda' system for women in the name of safety."

Paramjit Kaur, District Education Officer, said: "Salwar suits are mandatory for girls in all government schools and there has never been an issue. Private schools ask students to wear skirts. If schools are facing any problem on the matter, they are free to change the uniform."