KVS has decided to patent the new school uniforms

KVS has decided to patent the new school uniforms

The Kendriya Vidyalaya Sanghathan (KVS) has decided to patent the new school uniforms that it will introduce for Class 1 students across the country with effect from the current academic session.

"Our dress code had been used by various other schools in the country. To avoid such 
duplication byother institutions, we will get the new dress code patented," said joint commissioner (training), KVS, Sachi Kant.

The new dress code will comprise check-patterned shirts, dark grey check-patterned frocks and trousers for girls and boys, respectively, for the Classes 1 to 8. For students of Classes 9 to 12, check-patterned kurtas and shirts are to be worn with trousers, salwars and waistcoats.

During winters, cardigans and sweaters in dark grey colour with red borders can be worn along with grey coloured hooded jackets with the KVS logo embroidered on the back.

The sports uniform has been designed keeping in mind the colours of four houses in KVs, namely blue, yellow, red and green T-shirts that will be worn with navy blue track pants.

The initiative is part of a larger, albeit gradual rollout of the school network's new dress code. While the shift in uniform will be mandatory for almost one lakh students who have taken admission in Class 1 in various KV branches, it will be compulsory for the students of other classes with effect from the 2014 academic session.

"The uniform sets for winter, summer and sports activities will cost around Rs. 3,500. We will give specifications, samples of fabric and prototypes of the new uniform to all regional officers, schools, principals and parents. Similar information will also be uploaded in our website," said KVS commissioner Avinash Dixit.

The regional officers, schools and parents can procure fabric in bulk and get the new uniforms stitched. The accessories such as belt, pair of socks, multi-purpose shoes and scarf have also been redesigned.

The new uniform has been designed in collaboration with the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) and ministry of textiles.

The current design has been in use in KVs since the network of schools was established in 1963. The schools have been informed that the old and new uniforms shall continue during the transition period (academic sessions 2012-13 and 2013-14) for Classes 2 to 12. "The old uniform shall phased out by 2014, by when all the KV students will follow the new dress code," Dixit added.

Fee hike on the anvil

The KVS Board of Governors is also pondering a hike in the fees for the students of Classes 9 to 12. "The scenario has changed in last five years. We will ensure that the hike is nominal for these classes, while we provide free education to all students till Class 8 as per the rules laid under Right To Education (RTE) Act," said Sachi Kant. He added that till Class 8, KVs fund education and raise infrastructure with the help of the Vidyalaya Vikas Nidhi (corpus).

Kendriya Vidyalayas charge Rs. 25 per child as admission fee. Those studying Computer Science from Class 3 pay Rs. 50 as additional charges.

Tuition fee for students in Classes 9 and 10 is Rs. 200, while those opting Science, Commerce and Humanities in Classes 11 and 12 pay Rs. 400 and 300, respectively.