Thiruvananthapuram: The central government has asked other states and union territories to follow Kerala’s example of providing free uniforms to students.

The Union Textiles Ministry has written to all the other states and union territories directing them to explore the possibility of implementing free uniform project.

The letter was sent to directors of Handloom Division in each state on February 11. A parliamentary committee on handlooms had earlier visited Kerala and evaluated the uniforms.

The Textiles Ministry pointed out that Kerala was able to provide continuous employment and better wages to handloom workers using the free school uniform project. The Ministry also lauded Kerala for issuing an order announcing minimum wage for handloom workers.

The letter is accompanied by a study report by National Institute of Fashion Technology, which comes under the union government.

Department of Kerala Industries had implemented the free school uniform project to revive the handloom sector which was going through a crisis. The state government implemented the project by providing wages and thread to handloom workers. The project helped the workers find employment and increased wages year around.

In three years, the state government distributed 70 lakh metres of uniform material to 15 lakh students. During the next academic year, uniform material will be distributed to 10 lakh students. The government is planning to start distribution on April 1, 2020 and conclude before May 15, 2020.

The uniform material will be distributed to students from Class I to VII in government schools and from Class I to IV in aided schools. A total of 8.45 lakh existing students and around 1.25 lakh new students would be distributed uniforms. About 90 percent of the uniform material is ready.