Karnataka Government Issues Circular Making Uniforms Mandatory for SSLC Exams

Vinod Kakumanu
April 5, 2022, 11:19 a.m.

Karnataka’s primary and secondary education department issued a circular stating that the students of government schools should appear for the class X board examinations in uniforms prescribed by the state government. It also added that in case of private (aided and unaided) schools, students need to wear the uniform prescribed by their respective school managements.

The circular was signed by V Srinivasamurthy, the under-secretary of the department, and it cited the state government’s order on uniforms issued on February 5. It also added that the government’s direction was ratified by the Karnataka high court. The circular was issued for resolving the confusion regarding wearing hijab inside classrooms.

Following a huge hijab controversy, the Karnataka government on February 5, had banned clothing that disturbed equality, integrity, and public order in educational institutions. This had resulted in massive state-wide protests. The state government had told the high court during the hearing of a petition against this order, that students should wear uniforms prescribed by their respective college development committees.

A senior Karnataka education department official stated that the circular was only clarifying that all state government schools must adhere to the school uniform prescribed by the government, which doesn’t allow wearing of hijabs. He further said that if any school allowed hijabs, then students would be allowed to wear them inside the classrooms. The officials at the examination hall will be responsible to process the verification of these rules.