The Education Department in Chandigarh has issued a new directive introducing a weekly formal dress code for teachers and principals working in government schools. This regulation, which will come into effect next Monday, is being seen as a first-of-its-kind initiative in India.
According to the circular, the move is designed to promote a collective professional identity, visual harmony, and a disciplined atmosphere across all government schools in the city. It intends to make teaching staff appear more uniform and presentable, reflecting their professional responsibilities.
DETAILED GUIDELINES FOR MONDAYS
The dress code applies every Monday, with distinct dress instructions for male and female teachers and principals:
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Male teachers: Blue formal shirts with grey trousers
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Female teachers: Beige sarees or salwar-kameez with maroon borders
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Male principals: White shirts with grey trousers
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Female principals: Beige sarees or salwar-kameez with golden borders
These revised guidelines were released after the department faced some resistance to its earlier proposal. The current version balances tradition with formality, aiming for acceptance amongst staff.
The circular clearly states that compliance is mandatory. Heads of schools have been given the responsibility to ensure that all staff members follow the dress code without exception. No exemptions have been mentioned, making it a strict weekly requirement.
STEP TOWARDS VISUAL UNITY
With this decision, Chandigarh’s Education Department hopes to instil a sense of discipline and belonging amongst the educators. While the idea of dress codes for students is common, applying similar standards to teachers signals a cultural shift in educational environments, possibly influencing other states in the future.
This bold step reflects a growing trend of professionalism and identity-building within the public education system. Whether it sets a precedent across India remains to be seen, but it certainly places Chandigarh at the forefront of teacher presentation reforms.
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