The Health Minister of West Bengal, Dr. Shardwat Mukjee, has proposed changes to students' school uniforms to prevent the spread of dengue. He urged educational institutions to modify clothing to protect students' bodies from mosquito contact.
During a high-level meeting at the Department of Health building, known as the Health Building, the minister presented several measures concerning the peak dengue season, which runs from July to December. Accordingly, adjustments will be made to the guidelines for government schools.
Under the new directives, boys will be recommended to wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers. Furthermore, girls who typically attend school in skirts will be asked to wear clothing that fully covers their legs. An official circular regarding these temporary uniform changes for government schools is expected to be issued soon. The state government will also request private schools to implement similar safety measures, although the final decision in private schools will remain with the school board.
The Health Minister stated that 'we can completely stop dengue. Awareness is necessary for this.' Addressing teachers, principals, and headmasters, he requested permission for students to wear long-sleeved clothing during these three months, regardless of the uniform adopted by the school. He emphasized that girls should not be sent to school in skirts but should instead be allowed to wear salwar kameez that fully covers the legs.
In response to the suggestion of wearing knee-high socks, the Health Minister responded negatively, noting that it would not work. He explained that knee-high socks remain stuck to the skin and are quite thin, allowing mosquitoes to bite through them. The minister insisted that girls be allowed to wear salwar, and boys to wear trousers and long-sleeved shirts. He called on all teachers and schools to adopt this system in September, October, and November to reduce the number of dengue cases.
