West Bengal Health Minister Dr Sharadwat Mukherjee has urged schools across the state to temporarily modify student uniforms during the dengue season, asking institutions to ensure that children wear clothing that keeps their arms and legs covered.
Mukherjee made the appeal during a high-level review meeting at the Health Department headquarters at Swasthya Bhavan, as the state steps up efforts to contain dengue cases during the peak transmission period.
The minister called on schools to allow students to wear full-sleeved shirts and full-length trousers for the next three months. He specifically urged schools to allow girls who normally wear skirts to switch to salwar suits that cover their legs.
‘PLEASE DO NOT SEND GIRLS TO SCHOOL WEARING SKIRTS’
“We can completely prevent dengue afterward. Awareness is required,” Mukherjee said while appealing to teachers, headmasters and headmistresses to make temporary changes to school uniforms.
“I am sending messages to schools repeatedly, I am folding my hands and appealing to teachers, headmasters, and headmistresses: for these three months, please allow full-sleeved clothing regardless of what your uniform is,” he said.
“Please do not send girls to school wearing skirts. Allow them to wear salwar suits that cover their legs,” the minister added.
Mukherjee also rejected a suggestion to use knee-high socks as an alternative protective measure, saying they may not provide adequate protection against mosquito bites.
“And socks… someone suggested, ‘Let’s give them knee-high socks.’ That won’t work,” he said.
Explaining his reasoning, the minister said, “Knee-high socks stick to the skin and are very thin, so mosquitoes can still bite through them.”
He instead urged schools to allow girls to wear salwar suits and boys to wear full-length trousers and full-sleeved shirts.
GOVT SCHOOLS TO GET NEW GUIDELINES
The state government is expected to issue an administrative circular outlining the temporary attire guidelines for government-run schools. Private educational institutions will also be requested to adopt similar precautionary measures, although the final decision on changes to uniforms will remain with individual school authorities.
The move comes as West Bengal faces a recurring rise in mosquito-borne diseases during and after the monsoon. Health officials are focusing on preventive measures, particularly for school-going children who may spend several hours outdoors or in areas where mosquito exposure is possible.
Mukherjee stressed the importance of prevention and awareness alongside existing dengue-control measures. He also flagged delayed medical treatment as a factor contributing to severe illness, urging people to remain alert to symptoms and seek medical attention early.
“I am asking all teachers and all schools for these three months: September, October, and November, let’s try and see if we can reduce dengue cases,” the minister said.
The proposed measures are intended to reduce exposed skin during the peak dengue season, while the state continues its broader awareness and vector-control efforts.
– Ends
Published By:
Ritaban Misra
Published On:
Sep 5, 2026 11:17 IST
