Student groups endorse handloom-based school uniforms

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Dec 5 : Six student groups (AMSU, MSF, DESAM, KSA, SUK, AIMS), the Sub Committee on School Uniform (Eyong Phee) and various school organisations have resolved to enforce the adoption of school uniforms made from local handloom products/materials from the upcoming 2026-27 academic session.
The Sub Committee and six student groups have appealed to educational institutions in the State to comply with the resolution.
Speaking to media persons at DESAM Head Office in Keishampat today, M Somorjit Meitei, convenor of the six students group, said that the resolution was passed unanimously during a meeting held on December 4 at Manipur Press Club organised by the Sub Committee on School Uniform.
Representatives of the All Manipur Recognised Private School Welfare Association (AMRPSWA), Private School Development Council, Thoubal (PSDC), Catholic Education Society Manipur (CESM), Bishnupur District Recognised Private School Association (BDRPSA) and CBSE Affiliated School Association (CASA) attended the meeting where two resolutions were passed.
As girl students from Class VIII onwards wear phanek as their uniform, the gathering also resolved to ensure that these garments are locally made handloom products.
M Somorjit highlighted the widespread use of garments bearing close similarity to the traditional phanek, but procured from other States, being worn as school uniforms.
Thus, on behalf of the Sub-Committee affiliated to the six student groups, he appealed to Class VIII and above girl students to only wear locally made phaneks as their school uniform.
On another note, he urged teachers, intellectuals and concerned stakeholders to deliberate over which handloom product(s) will be best suited to replace school uniforms in the State so the adoption process can proceed smoothly.
Subsequently, he appealed to handloom weavers to ensure a steady supply of these products, set a fair price and make sure the items are of good quality.  
Saying that use of school uniforms sourced from other States will be prohibited from the next academic session, he urged schools still engaged in such practice to stop immediately. He made the same appeal to firms engaged in supplying uniforms to schools, advising them to instead supply locally made handloom uniforms.  
Highlighting the need for Government assistance in this matter, M Somorjit further urged the concerned authority to provide necessary support to the weavers and enable them to meet the supply for school uniforms.