No decision yet on changing school uniform in KP: minister

PESHAWAR: Though determined to change the colour of school uniforms, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI)-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has yet to take final decision to this effect while its coalition partner, Jamaat-i-Islami, has already expressed its reservations over the issue.
However, both the parties have refused to accept that they have any differences over the matter. This disproved the reports that the uniforms issue, especially the proposed introduction of paint-shirt at the school level, has caused rift between the coalition partners in the provincial government.
Reached on telephone, Minister for Education Mohammad Atif Khan made it clear that no decision has yet been taken to change the uniforms or its colour. He added that the matter had been thoroughly discussed by the government functionaries and also with the other stakeholders.
He said they had been receiving complaints from students, parents and teachers from across the province and almost all the stakeholders were opposed to the colour of the uniform. “They believed that the uniform of black shalwar-kameez and cap was inconvenient keeping in view the environment and weather in most parts of the province,” he added.
“In view of the complaints, we sought suggestions from all the stakeholders. On the basis of those proposals we made up our mind to at least change the colour of the dress. It is clear that the colour of uniform would be changed, but a final decision has not been taken so far,” Atif Khan pointed out.
He said the government had the plan to make the use of paint-shirt and shalwar-kameez optional.
“We will give the option to the parents-teachers committees to choose between shalwar kameez and paint shirt in line with the local traditions and requirements. For example, the students of Dir and other such areas could not be forced to use paint-shirt. On the other hand, those studying in places like Peshawar and Hayatabad love to wear paint-shirt,” he argued.
Atif Khan, who belongs to the PTI, ruled out any differences with the JI over the issue. He said he discussed the matter with his cabinet colleague Inayatullah Khan of the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) and was convinced that there was no problem in changing the colour and giving the option to students of the two sets of uniforms in different areas.
The issue hit headlines when the new provincial chief of JI Mushtaq Ahmad Khan issued a statement, opposing the proposed changes in uniform. Mushtaq Ahmad was of the opinion that paint-shirt was the symbol of Americanisation and Westernisation and they would not accept the change in the uniform.
Provincial general secretary of the JI Abdul Wasi, however, told The News that the issue was highlighted out of proportion in the media. He said they have neither launched any protest against the proposal nor formally opposed it. “Also, the government has not yet taken any formal decision to change the existing uniform and introduce paint and shirt,” he reminded.
He said the JI expressed its concern on the basis of some genuine reasons. He said that majority of the schools were lacking furniture and other basic facilities.
“How would a kid sit on bare floor in paint and shirt in a school where there is no furniture,” he asked.
Abdul Wasi said the JI wanted the government to focus its attention on provision of basic facilities to the schools instead of wasting energy on non-issues. “We are coalition partners in the government and the issue would be resolved internally in an amicable manner. Also, there is no harm in the use of national dress of shalwar-kameez,” he added. There were reports that Chief Minister Pervez Khattak made a phone call to Mushtaq Ahmad Khan to felicitate him on assuming the office of provincial chief of JI. During their talk, the matter of uniform was also discussed and both agreed to hold a meeting on the issue. However, the date for the meeting has not been finalised.