Come clean on uniform issue
We should make public the procedures used in buying school uniforms in order to prevent possible corruption, says an article in Beijing News. The following is an excerpt:
The quality authority in Guangdong province released the results of its inspection of school uniforms on Sept 18, finding that 88.8 percent were qualified, an improvement compared to last year. But the check also found that some factories used toxic chemicals in the dyeing of school uniforms.
It is encouraging to see more uniforms passing the quality check, but it is a cause for concern that toxic chemicals have been found in uniforms. It is important that students have uniforms that are both safe and environmentally friendly.
First, it must be made clear that school uniforms are not compulsory. In 2006, the Education Ministry clearly stated that primary schools should not force students to collectively buy teaching materials or school uniforms. A later amendment said that urban schools can buy school uniforms if students are willing and able to pay.
No parent wants to see their child wearing a uniform containing harmful chemicals, so they will obviously be worried by the results of this inspection. They will fear that toxic uniforms may harm the health of their child and suspect that someone may be getting kickbacks from clothing manufacturers.
To help stop parents worrying, schools should make public the procedure used to invite bids for the uniforms and the corresponding bidding prices.
In addition, necessary probes need to be launched to check the legality of the bidding procedures and to carefully calculate the manufacturing costs of uniforms and the pricing of the garments.
Legal measures should be taken if the purchase of uniforms is tainted with corruption. Uniforms are paid for by parents and worn by students, so they must have a say in their design. Schools should consult them before signing any deals with clothing factories.
(China Daily 09/24/2008 page8)
