Give free shoes to govt schoolchildren: rights body

NCPCR says it is imperative that kids wear shoes

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has recommended for providing shoes free of cost to children in elementary classes in government schools as well as those enrolled under the Right to Education (RTE) Act in private schools.

The child rights body has recently recommended for distribution of shoes free of cost among the school children, particularly to those who can not afford them, after the issue was discussed at a recent meeting.

Under the RTE rules, free uniforms are one of the entitlements of the elementary schoolchildren, but shoes are not considered as part of the uniforms.

"Given varied weather conditions in the country and considering the importance of shoes in maintaining health and hygiene of children, it is imperative for them to wear shoes,” an NCPCR official said.

The commission has already written to the state governments to consider accepting shoes as one of the entitlements of elementary schoolchildren along with uniforms, and thus, make provisions to provide shoes to them free of cost under the RTE Rules.

"Letters have been sent to all the chief secretaries of the states,” the official added.

During the meeting, the commission also agreed to a proposal to approach the Supreme Court if required, seeking its direction to the governments for “proper implementation” of its recommendation.

The NCPCR, which monitors the implementation of the RTE Act and acts on complaints of violations of the Act, made these recommendations after stakeholders demanded so.

"The commission, while redressing complaints of violation of the RTE Act, and interactions with the children during its visits and other forums, noted that children are asking for shoes as part of their entitlements, which are not being provided to them in their schools,” the official said.

The Centre-sponsored Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, an integrated scheme for school education, provides for two sets of uniforms to all girls, children belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, and to children from below poverty line families, at an average cost of Rs 600 per child per annum.