DSEL orders an investigation into the quality of footwear, socks handed over to the government. schools

DSEL has set up a district-level inquiry committee to check the quality of shoes and socks distributed to students of classes 1 to 10 in government schools. | Photo credit: File photo

Shortly after Upalokayukta Justice KN Phaneendra ordered a suo motu case to be registered on the allegation of distribution of substandard shoes to government school children, the Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEL) ordered an inquiry into the case.

DSEL has set up a district-level inquiry committee to check the quality of shoes and socks distributed to students of classes 1 to 10 in government schools. The committee will be made up of CEOs of zilla panchayats.

In the order, the department instructed that officers or employees selected for the review committee should not be from DSEL. The committees must complete the verification and submit a report within 10 days.

After receiving the district reports, the commissioner of the department prepares a national consolidated report based on the findings and submits it to the government.

There have been complaints of shoes tearing or soles separating after a few days of use, shoes that are too big or ill-fitting, and similar sock defects.

The department called for independent verification as the complaints raised doubts about whether the shoes and socks supplied were certified by authorized agencies and whether the products supplied were certified. Teams must visit at least 25% of the schools in each district.

Verification teams were instructed to check for delamination or peeling of the soles, loose stitching around the toe or heel, whether the upper material used in the footwear met the specifications in the tender or whether a synthetic material was used, and the thickness of the material. They must also take random measurements of shoes delivered to see if ill-fitting shoes have been distributed. Teams must verify the lot number, Institute of Footwear Design and Development certification) and pre-shipment inspection certificate.

The Commission must take photographs of its verification process and attach them to the report.

Published – 11 Sep 2026 21:37 IST