Kannur, Kerala: Only male students from the Above Poverty Line (APL) category are getting free uniforms in government high schools. As the Centre and State are still in dispute over the PM Shri Scheme, the funds allocated have not been sanctioned in these schools to distribute free uniforms to students belonging to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category, Scheduled Caste, or Scheduled Tribe categories.

The funds for these categories depend upon central fund allocations through the Samagra Shiksha Kerala (SSK), while for APL categories, the uniforms are given directly by the State government. Teachers face trouble as they find it difficult to convince parents and students who ask about the free uniform difference.

Meanwhile, uniforms for aided schools and classes 1 to 7 of government schools are distributed using the State government's fund.  This has not stopped. When free uniforms are available at the aided schools, parents will naturally get attracted to enrol their students in those schools, which in turn affects admissions in government-run high schools, says a headmaster.

Students from classes 1 to 8 receive Rs 600 as a uniform allowance.

Curious problem

UP schools across the state received free handloom uniform materials, but many students have not received full sets. Teachers have flagged a specific issue: the funds allocated are meant for distributing shorts to boys in Classes 1 to 4, but many students demanded full-length trousers instead. In response, some schools began issuing fabric sufficient to make trousers rather than shorts. This led to a shortage, making it difficult to ensure adequate cloth for all students. As a result, some children received shirt fabric but were left without enough material for trousers.