Three weeks into the school year, government school students in Belagavi district are still waiting for their uniforms. Out of the 4.5 lakh students in Belagavi and Chikodi educational districts, only 1.4 lakh have received their uniforms. Traditionally, government primary and high school students receive their uniforms on the first day of school. However, this academic year, many schools have yet to distribute uniforms, forcing students to wear their old ones.
The delay is attributed to the late delivery from a Maharashtra-based contractor awarded the contract to supply the cloth. An official from the education department explained that Belagavi educational district comprises seven zones, with a demand for two sets of uniforms for 1,96,292 students. So far, uniforms have been distributed to 58,851 students (29.9%). In Belagavi’s urban zone, two sets of uniforms have been provided, while only one set has been given in the rural zone. Zones like Kittur and Khanapur have yet to receive any uniforms.
In Chikodi educational district, which includes eight zones, 2,51,742 students need uniforms. To date, uniforms have been distributed to 78,816 children (31%). Nippani and Kagwad zones have received two sets of uniforms, while only one set has been distributed in Chikodi zone.
Students like Preeti, Shanta, and Neelam from Class 8 in Belagavi’s rural zone expressed their preference for receiving uniforms on the first day of school, making it easier to sew and wear them. Mohankumar Hanchate, deputy director of the school education and literacy department, assured that uniforms are being distributed gradually and all students will receive them within a week.
With 4,48,034 government school children in both education sectors of Belagavi district, only 1,37,667 children (30.7%) have received their uniforms, leaving 3,10,367 children (69.3%) still waiting. The significant delay has sparked curiosity and concern among the residents of Belagavi.
