Dress code is out: Women teachers can wear pants, shirts, sarees in school
Women teachers can now wear salwar-kameez, straight palazzos, pant-kameez, sarees and churidaar suits in schools.\B \BThey can also show up in formal trousers and shirts if they want to. For male teachers, formal trousers and shirts will be the preferred outfits.
The government has issued a detailed advisory on what will constitute a decent dress code for teachers, removing all ambiguity around the issue. The government had asked the Education Department to ensure a decent dress code for teachers on a voluntary basis in schools. As the order did not specify what constitutes a decent dress code, it was interpreted differently by the authorities concerned in various districts and schools.
In some districts, the Deputy Directors have reduced the choice of clothing under the dress code for women teachers to just salwar-kameez and saree, which The Tribune had highlighted a few days ago. While agreeing that teachers should dress up decently, some women teachers argued that limiting the choice of clothing to just salwar-kameez was neither fair nor practical. “We are wearing straight palazzos and pants in school for many years and we have never felt these dresses are inappropriate,” said a teacher. “It’s good that the government has now issued detailed guidelines about what’s appropriate and what’s not,” she added.
As per the advisory, some teachers have been coming to school wearing fashionable, flamboyant and unsuitable clothes. “Such clothes lead to an informal environment, which does not align with a teaching institution,” it stated. The other objective of the dress code is to give teachers a professional and dignified look, as “students emulate teachers when it comes to dressing style and mannerism”.
The advisory makes it clear that the adoption of the dress code is voluntary. However, principals and headmasters have been urged to adopt the dress code after due consultation with teachers.
What’s allowed
Women teachers: Indian attire such as salwar-kameez with dupatta, straight palazzo, pant-kameez, sarees, churidaar suits or formal trousers and shirts
Male teachers: Formal trousers and shirts (matching sober colours)
Formal blazer: Maroon or shades of blue
Formal and professional footwear
General grooming principles with respect to hair, nails and appearance may be specified.
Weather appropriate headgear maybe allowed
Proper track suits or outdoor wear may be allowed during sports events, rallies and outdoor activities
What’s not permitted
Jeans, denims, trousers with multiple pockets, T-shirts and casual wear
Bright, flashy-coloured clothing and excessively patterned outfits
Gaudy clothing and party apparel
Flip-flop or casual slippers
Heavy or flashy jewellery
Himachal Tribune