Black shoes make their debut
IT was a sea of black - almost.
Although the Education Ministry’s black shoe and socks ruling will not be enforced until 2021, a check by StarEdu found that the majority of students in three schools were already in black on their first day of school.
School reopened on Jan 2 and a day earlier in Johor, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu.
At SK Putrajaya Presint 14(1), more than half of its 1,944 pupils opted for black shoes. Most of the pupils in SK Taman Tun Dr Ismail 1, and SK Taman Putra Perdana, also preferred black over white.
Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching, who was at SK Taman Putra Perdana, in Puchong, said the ministry does not encourage wastage.
“If your old white shoes are still wearable, or if you just prefer to wear white, it’s okay. There’s no need to waste money and buy new black shoes.
“The black shoes and socks ruling only takes effect in 2021. Until then, you can wear whichever colour you prefer.
“My child wanted both colours so this year she’ll be wearing both white and black. No problem,” she said, adding that it was not the ministry’s intention to make parents waste money or to make their lives difficult.
Education director-general Datuk Dr Amin Senin, who visited SK Taman Tun Dr Ismail 1, noted that the majority of pupils had already started wearing black shoes.
The transition from white shoes to black did not seem to pose much problems to parents and the pupils, he said.
From 2021, all school shoes and socks must be in black.
And for the students’ comfort, safety, and health, the shoes must be made from canvas or synthetic material such as nylon and polyester, which are highly-absorbent and breathable.
The ruling is for primary and secondary students in government schools.
Besides wearing black shoes, students must also wear black socks, Dr Amin said in a circular issued to division heads and state education directors on Nov 30.
Students were still allowed to wear white shoes till the end of 2020.
Schools must not have regulations or force students to wear black shoes and socks during this transition period, he said.