Shillong: In a landmark move aimed at fostering a more cohesive and equitable learning environment, the Meghalaya Education Department has mandated the implementation of student uniform policies across all government colleges in the state. This directive, issued on June 24, comes in response to persistent requests from various educational institutions and student unions across Meghalaya.
The notification, signed by Commissioner and Secretary Vijay Kumar Mantri, underscores the policy’s core objectives: “to foster unity, camaraderie, a sense of belonging among students while reducing visible socio-economic disparities.” This marks a considerable departure from the long-standing tradition of allowing casual wear in the state’s government colleges. The decision follows sustained advocacy from both college administrations and student representative bodies, who championed uniforms as a means to cultivate a more inclusive campus atmosphere. While the overarching goal is uniformity in principle, each college will retain the autonomy to design its own specific uniform, ensuring that institutional identity can be maintained alongside the broader aims of unity and reduced socio-economic divisions among students. This flexible approach acknowledges Meghalaya’s diverse cultural fabric within its educational institutions. Reports indicate that student unions were particularly vocal in pushing for this change, recognising that noticeable economic disparities in clothing choices occasionally led to social barriers on campus. Further details regarding the implementation process and timeline for the introduction of uniforms are expected to be disseminated by individual college administrations in the forthcoming weeks.
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