Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Karnataka School Shoe Scheme Faces Quality Complaints and Inquiry
Karnataka gives free shoes and socks to children in government schools.
Parents say some of the shoes break very quickly.
They report that soles come off and that some shoes do not fit properly.
They also say the socks are poor quality.
The program covers students from Classes 1 through 10.
A senior anti-corruption official has started an investigation in 15 districts.
The state government is conducting another inspection of the shoes.
Officials will check the footwear and report their findings soon.
Parents say shoes supplied under Karnataka’s Vidya Vikas scheme tear apart within days, with soles allegedly coming off.
Complaints also cite oversized or ill-fitting shoes, loose stitching, and poor-quality socks.
The scheme provides one pair of shoes and two pairs of socks to 36,56,613 students in Classes 1 to 10.
Upa Lokayukta Justice K.N. Phaneendra took suo motu notice and ordered a preliminary investigation across 15 districts.
The state government ordered urgent district-wise checks, including physical measurements, material inspections, and photographic documentation.
- Who
- Parents and students raised complaints; Karnataka’s Department of School Education and Literacy and Upa Lokayukta Justice K.N. Phaneendra are investigating.
- What
- Free shoes and socks supplied under the Vidya Vikas scheme are alleged to be defective, poorly fitted, and inferior in quality.
- When
- The complaints and investigations were reported on September 12, 2026; officials were given seven days or two weeks for their respective reports.
- Where
- The issue concerns government schools across Karnataka, with investigations ordered in 15 districts.
- Why
- The inquiries were ordered after allegations that the footwear does not meet expected quality standards and may affect basic amenities provided to students.
Parents’ and Students’ Complaints
Government and Investigative Response
Footwear quality
Parents’ and Students’ Complaints
Parents allege that soles peel or come off within days, stitching is loose, shoes are sometimes ill-fitting, and socks are poor quality.
Government and Investigative Response
The government has not established the allegations in the article but has ordered physical checks of soles, stitching, materials, thickness, and shoe sizes.
This year’s supplies
Parents’ and Students’ Complaints
Some complaints say the footwear supplied this year is significantly inferior to what students received last year.
Government and Investigative Response
Authorities are conducting district-wise verification to determine the actual quality and extent of the problem.
Accountability
Parents’ and Students’ Complaints
The complaints raise concerns about whether the welfare support reaching children meets the standard promised by the state.
Government and Investigative Response
The Upa Lokayukta registered complaints against education officials in 15 districts, while the state ordered an internal inquiry and sought reports.
- Scheme
- Vidya Vikas
- Coverage
- 36,56,613 government-school students in Classes 1 to 10
- Provision
- One pair of shoes and two pairs of socks per student
- Investigation districts
- 15 districts
- Distribution status as of August 10
- 21,92,529 pairs distributed; 12,59,298 in transit; 2,09,440 under production
- Government verification deadline
- Seven days from the constitution of district teams
- Upa Lokayukta report deadline
- Two weeks