In a major relief to parents and students, the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KeSCPCR) has directed schools not to make shoes and socks mandatory during monsoon.

In a directive issued on Thursday, the division bench of the commission has directed schools to allow students to wear slippers or any other comfortable footwear during monsoon.

The directive comes after the commission received a complaint from a parent, pointing out that children were falling ill after sitting in classrooms wearing soaked socks and shoes.

Chairperson of KeSCPCR Shobha Koshy told The News Minute that the commission does not intent to curb an individual’s freedom. “The commission is not trying to intervene in the functioning of schools, but the intention is to direct the schools not to compel the students to wear shoes and socks during rains,” she said.

According to reports, the commission has directed the General Education Secretary, Director of Public Instruction, and the CBSE Thiruvananthapuram regional officer to issue instructions to this effect to all school authorities in the state.

The commission has also asked the government to submit a report within 10 days on the action taken on the matter.