Kozhikode: Gender-neutral uniforms have been a talking point in Kerala in recent weeks. Adoption of a common attire is being considered after a lower primary school in Ernakulam introduced unisex uniforms for its students: short pants and shirts for all.
Now, a higher secondary girls' school in Kozhikode district's Balussery has adopted the same.
The 200 Plus-One students at the Government Girl's Higher Secondary School here will be sporting shirts and trousers from Wednesday, just like the boys in their class.
Earlier, the girls had to wear kurta and churidar, with many girls choosing to wear an overcoat as well.
Other schools
The Valayanchirangara LP School created history by introducing gender-neutral uniforms for students in 2018. The concept of a single uniform for boys and girls was first introduced at the pre-primary section of the school. Later in 2019, three-fourth pants were made part of the school uniform at the LP section.
The new unisex uniform was adopted after teachers realised that girl students were keeping away from sports and other activities because of the discomfort while wearing skirts.
The gender-neutral uniform for students was implemented at the Government Lower Primary School at Ranni in Pathanamthitta district in 2014. The uniform is three-fourth pants and shirt for both boys and girls.
This uniform has been followed at the Karyambadi Government LP School in Wayanad since November 2018.
Recently, the Alappuzha district panchayat reached an agreement with the education department to ensure gender-neutral uniforms in 48 schools that come under it.
The new uniform would be introduced from next academic year onwards.