Edu dept: No leather shoes in Goa schools, wear only canvas ones

Panaji: The directorate of education has issued a circular to schools on Wednesday asking them to discourage students from wearing leather shoes and to ensure that all students wear the “environmentally friendly” canvas shoes, from now on. The circular states that the only exception will be made for rainwear shoes during the monsoon season.

“Protection of the environment needs to be practised 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 cause harm on human skin, and other shoes which are made of artificial leather and other synthetic material are also manufactured using the same chemicals, use of which can be sizably reduced by wearing canvas shoes in the schools,” reads the circular.

It states that canvas shoes are made up of eco-friendly materials, are more resistant to wear and tear, besides being more comfortable and relatively inexpensive.

“Most importantly, they do not pose any harm to the environment and students. Canvas shoes are anyways prescribed for sports purposes and can easily be used for everyday wear. In light of above, the heads of all the govt/govt aided/unaided primary, secondary and higher secondary & special schools are hereby directed to instruct students to use canvas shoes only in school,” the DoE has said.

The circular said, “Students should be notified that no other shoes will be allowed as a part of school uniform. Except during the monsoon when rainwear is permissible. This circular is issued with govt approval.”


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