Decision to impose any specific dress code upon children not taken yet: Kerala Minister

The concept of gender neutrality is a debatable topic in Kerala, he said, that it has been decided to conduct gender auditing of textbooks in the state.

Decision to impose any specific dress code upon children not taken yet: Kerala Minister

Amid the ongoing debate on the implementation of gender-neutral uniforms in state schools, the Kerala government has now made it clear that it has not taken any decision yet to impose any specific dress code upon children. While speaking on the same, General Education Minister V Sivankutty said, "a uniform that is generally acceptable and comfortable for children to wear is something that is recognised in society."

The concept of gender neutrality is a debatable topic in Kerala, he said, that it has been decided to conduct gender auditing of textbooks in the state."Gender-neutral uniforms have been voluntarily implemented by the management in certain schools and have been wholeheartedly welcomed by the public and the media, he said in a press meet. It is understood that there are no complaints either from children or from parents in those schools that have implemented such a decision," the minister said.

"But, the government is not insistent in implementing this. We have not taken the decision to impose any specific uniform code in schools," he added.

While speaking on the decision by the state child rights panel directing the government to turn all single-sex schools in the state to co-educational institutions, he said "the LDF government has already converted 21 educational institutions into mixed schools after it came to power." "Those schools, which apply for the co-education status with the consent of parent-teachers' association and the respective local bodies, would be made mixed institutions after conducting necessary inspections there," he said.

Currently, there are total 381 girls/boys schools in Kerala including 138 in the government sector and 243 in the aided sector. The Minister said the first-year Higher Secondary classes will start on after completing the allotment procedures which would begin on August 5. "Due to the delay in receiving central allocation for the implementation of the mid-day meal scheme in schools for the year 2022-23, the state government has allotted Rs 126 crore from its budget for the same," he said.

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