There’s good news for students in government schools. Along with uniforms and textbooks, they will soon get a pair of shoes or slippers. The plight of students in rural areas, where they walk to school barefoot, spurred primary and secondary education minister Vishveshwar Hegde Kageri to come up with this idea.
Furthermore, the precedent set by Journalists’ Association of Karwar, which distributed slippers to government schoolchildren in that district, inspired Kageri, who attended that event a few days ago. “I have seen many children do not wear shoes or slippers while coming to schools. Most students walk at least 2km to reach school and it is not safe to walk barefoot,” said Kageri.
“I’m thinking of introducing the scheme in our government schools. Like distribution of uniforms, textbooks and mid-day meals, wearing of shoes is also one of the basic necessities for schoolchildren,” he said. The state education department provides two pairs of uniform, textbooks and bags. This package does not include footwear and it’s soon going to be revised to include footwear.
Kageri has said local officials must implement this measure at the local level. Before the government makes this a rule, Kageri wants private sponsors to pitch in. “I have asked officials to take up the job with help from local people who are interested to sponsor (the scheme),” said Kageri.
Under the school adoption programme, the education department has tied up with sponsors to improve infrastructure at schools. “In line with the school adoption programme, we can
approach those interested to help children and this will not be a burden for the government,” said an official.
