MARGAO, March 6 -- The Education Department in a circular mandated that all students should wear canvas shoes instead of leather shoes. The reason cited is environmental concerns. Given that government is cutting trees and allowing land conversions without a care, Herald Media asked parents, "Is it sensible that all students have to wear canvas shoes to school instead of leather shoes?"

Every school has their own protocol of what type of shoes to wear, some were wearing leather shoes, this should continue. Now the school is about to close, so buying new canvas shoes will be a financial burden to the parents. So according to me this step which the government has taken is not proper. Every school has managed their own affair by telling stu...