Uniform supply likely delay to hit Telangana government schools

The supply of school uniforms in Telangana’s government schools is delayed as the Education Department has not placed its usual order with TGSCO, opting instead for centralised procurement from private firms.

Karimnagar: The supply of uniforms to the students studying in government schools is likely to be delayed further. The students, who would be provided uniforms at the beginning of the academic year, are unable to get them this time around.

Surprisingly, though nine days are left for the reopening of schools, even the cloth has not been supplied to the self-help group women, who stitch uniforms. The Education Department’s decision to procure fabric through a centralised tendering process from private companies is said to be the reason for the delay. Besides textbooks and notebooks, two pairs of uniforms would be provided to the students studying in government schools across the state.

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To provide employment to women, the Self-Help Group women are engaged in stitching uniforms by supplying cloth. Per uniform, women’s groups are paid Rs 75.

Usually, the cloth is supplied to women’s groups during March and April. SHG members, who take the measurements of students well in advance, complete uniform stitching by the end of May and supplies to schools before reopening.

However, so far, even the cloth has not been supplied to women’s groups this time around. Moreover, the SHG members have not taken measurements.

In order to support handloom weavers and strengthen their livelihood, the state government in March 2024 issued GO MS no 1, directing all departments, corporations, hospitals and public undertakings to procure cloth from TGSCO.

However, the Education Department has not placed its annual order for school uniform fabric with TGSCO this year. Instead, it plans to procure fabric through a centralised tendering process from private companies.

Traditionally, the Education Department places orders worth around Rs 105 crore between December and January. Instead of women’s groups, the government plans to stitch uniforms in a big way on Juki sewing machines, an education department source said.

Per uniform, Rs 75 is being paid to women’s groups. It costs Rs 35 to Rs 40 if uniforms are stitched in bulk on Juki sewing machines, the source added.