Latest Move by Kerala School Towards Gender Equity: Unisex Uniforms

Vinod Kakumanu
Dec. 6, 2021, 3:45 p.m.

With a strength of 754 students, Valayanchirangara Government Lower Primary School in Ernakulam district of Kerala has initiated a move towards gender neutrality by introducing unisex uniform for all their students, irrespective of gender. This uniform consists of a 3/4th shorts and shirt. It is being considered as a holistic approach to encourage gender equity in the state.

The left government in Kerala has announced that it would support the concept of gender-neutral school uniforms, which was unthinkable by everyone so far. Though the new dress code was planned and introduced in the lower primary section in 2018, it was extended to all students after the schools reopened post pandemic-induced lockdown in this academic year.

The current president of the PTA, Vivek V, was part of the executive committee of the PTA, which had taken the decision in 2018. He stated that they wanted every child to have the same level of freedom in movement and same uniform. The students and their parents supported this idea.

V. Sivankutty, General Education Minister, hailed this move by the Valayanchirangara LP school, and said that all such gender inclusive activities will be promoted by the government. He also said that necessary steps would be taken to include gender equality and justice in the school curriculum.