Chandigarh: Over 105,000 students studying in government schools in Chandigarh will sport a new look this summer with the administration deciding to enforce a new dress code for all classes from July.

Shunning the all-white shirt that gets dirty very fast, the administration has opted for shirts with blue stripes on a white base and blue shorts (knickers) for boys and blue tunics for girls in Classes 1 to 5.

Older boys, from Classes 6 to 12, will wear shirts with blue stripes and blue pants and the girls will be attired in a blue-striped kameez and a blue salwar.

"Uniforms for Classes 1 to 5 for all non-model government schools will be provided by the education department according to the policy of the Chandigarh administration," Chandigarh's Home And Education Secretary Krishna Mohan told IANS.

That will take care of nearly 57 out of the 105 government schools in the 114-square km city.

The administration is not worried about opposition from parents of government school students for the extra money that they will have to spend in getting new uniforms for their wards.

"The change in the colour scheme has been incorporated after considering suggestions from parents and teachers. Economic constraints have also been taken into account. It will give a new look and generate enthusiasm among students of government schools," Mohan said.

The administration has announced that the new uniform will be compulsory for the 2008-09 academic session beginning July.

The last time Chandigarh's government schools changed their uniform was well over a decade ago, education department officials said. They said the new uniform will make government school students look smarter and on par with students from leading private schools. IANS