Unisex Modi jacket finds place in new TN govt school uniforms

Interestingly, the ‘Modi’ waistcoats which are so in vogue right now, seem to have found their place in the girls’ uniform.

For the first time in India, four unique sets of uniforms have been designed for primary, middle, high and higher secondary school students of all government schools at a cost of Rs 400 crore, Education Department officials said. More than 60 lakh students will benefit from the scheme.

“Tamil Nadu School Education Department’s initiative will be the first such measure in the country,” a senior official said. “From this year, four uniform patterns will be introduced for all students at government schools,” he said, adding, “the aim behind this is to identify the student’s class by looking at them.”

Elaborating on the selection procedure, the official said that Arvind Mafatlal Group was identified as the supplier and was asked to send at least 50 different designs. “Once we got the designs, we held discussions with teachers and PTA association members before zeroing in on the colour codes and patterns. The final selections were sent to the Minister for his approval following which stitching orders were made,” he said.

Students studying from Class 1 to 5 will get green checked shirt and dark green colour bottom wear. Similarly, those from Class 6 to 8 will be given light pink and blue checked shirt and cream colour bottom wear. Girl students will also get grey colour waistcoat. Class 9 and 10 students will get pink checked shirt and grey bottom wear.

In addition, girls will be given grey colour waistcoat. For Class 11 and 12 students, the government has decided to distribute dark navy blue checked top wear and dark navy blue bottom wear. The girls will also get dark blue waistcoat.

“Four sets of uniform will be given to each student before schools re-open,” another official said, adding the number of sets of uniform has increased from one to two sets in 2011-12 and to four sets from 2012-13 onwards.

The uniform pattern for girl students studying from Class 6 to 12 will be salwar kameez and for boys studying from Class 6 to 12 will be full pants as uniform. All the uniform sets are expected to reach the education department before re-opening of schools.