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Fresh Tenders for supply of school uniform material – Ministry of Education
View(s):The Education Ministry is to call for fresh Tenders for the supply of school uniform material, following revelations that some samples provided were not in keeping with the required standards, said Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam.
The decision came after the Education Ministry called for a report from the Sri Lanka Institute of Textile & Apparels on the samples provided.
According to the report, some 18 suppliers had deviated from the required standards, which was 65% polyester and 35% cotton.
Of some 129 samples 47 had failed to pass the required standards.
Mr Kariyawasam said that complaints had been received from parents and unions about the quality of the uniforms, and therefore decided to check the samples of the material.
He said one of the samples had 91% polyester and 9% cotton.
“We believe that, over the years, low quality material has been supplied due to irregularities. That is the reason the samples were checked. Some of the uniforms were transparent and unfit for children,” he added.
He said the previous government changed the procedures on the grounds that they wanted to promote local production, but in fact, some of the suppliers had imported material from overseas and provided them for uniforms.
He said next year’s supplies will be accepted through open Tenders.
Ministry Secretary, Upali Marasinghe said the latest evaluation report is under study and they will conduct inquiries against those responsible for providing low quality material.
He said that suppliers can supply imported material, but need to ensure proper quality.
Tenders are due to be called next month.
- Damith Wickremasekara