Team Herald
PANJIM: The Directorate of Education has mandated that all students in government, aided, unaided, primary, secondary, higher secondary and special schools wear canvas shoes as part of their uniforms.
The initiative aims to reduce the environmental impact associated with leather and synthetic shoes, which involve harmful chemicals in their production.
A circular issued by Director of Education Shailesh Zingde said," Protection of environment needs to be practiced as much as it is preached. There is no dispute that leather comes at a huge environmental cost. The production of leather from animals involves use of highly toxic chemicals which may be harmful for human skin. Other shoes which are made of artificial leather and other synthetic materials are also manufactured using the same chemicals. Use of this can be significantly reduced by wearing canvas shoes in the schools," he said.
"Canvas shoes are made up of eco-friendly materials, more resistant to wear and tear, more comfortable and relatively inexpensive and most importantly they do not pose any harm to the environment and students. Canvas shoes are always prescribed for sports purposes and can easily be used for everyday wear,"
he said.