SARKAR KI KAKHI

It was when School Chalo Abhyiyan Rally was organized, students from Government and a Private school assembled together and I could feel the stark contrast between the sickly colour of Kakhi of Govt. school children and the colourful uniform of private school. Both schools were in the same village and the children too belong to the same area. The blunt difference in the colors of their uniform was a really strange sight.

We know that color is a powerful and important communication tool .Children are naturally attracted to bright colors which is why most toys and activities are brightly colored.

Most of us have a favourite colour and prefer some colours over others. This is because colors can affect our moods, so we surround ourselves in the colours that have a positive impact on our mood. For instance red can boost your energy and yellow often makes people feel happier. 

Colours have cultural significance as well. Color expert Faber Birrern carried out many studies into this area and in his book Color Psychology and Color Therapy; he states that for both gender, blue and red ‘maintaina high preference throughout life. He found a high preference throughout life. He also found that yellow is popular with children.

Children of both Govt. and Private School assembled together before the Rally

Uniforms

Many researchers agree that school uniforms policies have the greatest impact on student achievement when they are part of a larger comprehensive school reform plan. (Jones, 1998, Daughterty, 2002; Murrary, 2002).

There are several reasons that advocates of uniform suggest in favour of Uniforms. An increased level of sense of belonging amongst students has been attributed to school uniforms. Likewise, Murry (2002) reports that uniforms have been linked to increased self- esteem and confidence amongst students. Further he writes that uniforms focus students’ energy on learning rather than on seeking peer approval for their outfits. It also helps lowering the clothing costs. But it should not disregard the children’s innate desire for wearing some pleasant color dress.

When both colors and uniform have deepest meaning and significance, the education department must have been imaginative to choose a colour that would be appealing to the children’s interest. Though appearance can be deceptive, we all give prime importance to the appearance. How we look in the dress is a concern for everyone. The state government should have given consideration for the children’s interest and choose a different color that would not be as bland as kakhi.

School Chalo Abhiyan Rally in the Village of Dumri, Gorakhpur Dist.

During the rally children were shouting slogans to spread the message of importance of education and provisions in the Right to Education (RTE) Act. My mind was obsessed with myriads of unanswered questions. What could be the reason behind choosing Kakhi as the uniform? What would have happened if those children were given a different color of dresses? What the children would have felt when they see children in the same village wearing colorful uniforms? If they were given a choice, would kakhi be their choice? 

Among many other disparities the government school children are segregated by the choice of kakhi uniform as a sign of their colorless life in the classroom. May be the color of uniform may not be an issue for the children who even do not have a chair or bench to sit in their class room. They may not be fascinated about having  colorful clothes while noting in the classroom tempt to feel so. All my thoughts must be of an outsider who is ambitious about a rich life. Finally I too started shouting “Siksha Hamara Adhikar hei”