Mohan Majhi government changes school uniforms from green, a colour associated with BJD

Odisha government changes secondary school uniform color from white and green to maroon and clay bake yellow.

The Odisha government has changed the secondary school uniform from the current white and green, a colour linked with the 24-year rule of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), to maroon and clay bake yellow.

In a letter addressed to all District Education Officers, the School and Mass Education department said the government had approved the new design and colour of uniform secondary school students in government and government aided schools under Mukhyamantri Chhatra Chhatri Paridhan Yojana.

“The new design may be implemented in schools where uniforms in the old design have not been stitched or distributed,” the department directed. Earlier there was no colour specified for secondary students in class nine and 10. Last year, the white and green colour was introduced.

“The dress code for high school students has been changed. Previously, the former government altered the school uniform colours with political motives in mind. Politics should not pollute school atmosphere, which is why we have now introduced a new uniform colour,” Nityanand Gond, School and Mass Education Minister, said.

“We will shortly make the new uniforms available to students. Apart from uniforms, the State government is focusing on improving quality of education,” he said.

The Mohan Majhi government has carefully chosen the school uniform colour to avoid the criticism which the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government had faced for its selection of colour for various schemes and infrastructure.

Bharatiya Janata Party sources said the BJD had chosen the colour green for uniforms, schemes and other infrastructure to leave a lasting impression in voters’ minds. The saffron party had raised objection to wider use of green in government institution and government-funded projects.