School staff members offended by government circular asking them to avoid wearing indecent clothes
A recent circular issued by the school education department, which urges teachers to be dressed in a “decent manner”, has evoked strong responses from teachers, who are offended by what they see as the officiousness of the message.
The circular dated June 29, in essence, tells teachers: Please avoid wearing indecent clothes; it is important that you are attired in and accessories that go with the dignity of the teaching profession and uphold our culture, tradition and ethos. You have to set an example to students.
“But, who decides what ‘decent’ is?” asked a teacher at a Panchayat Union School in a southern suburb of Chennai. Terming the note condescending, the teacher said in a tone that was unmistakably sarcastic: “As teachers we are aware of our role and the responsibility that goes with it. I wear a sari on most days. Now if the department find my style of wearing it objectionable, will they send someone to drape it around me?”
Another teacher felt there were a few teachers who could dress better. However, after the initial judgement, of her colleagues’ dress sense she spoke in support of her clan, saying: “Well, beyond a basic dress code, the way one dresses is personal. No one should dictate what teachers ought to wear. Teachers are quite conscious of these things.”
According to a senior official in the school education department, the decision to send out the circular was sparked by a photograph of a teacher in which he was wearing “cooling glass and a cap”.
The official said: “He was posing like a hero and we thought teachers should dress more responsibly. Otherwise it’s a circular we send out from time to time. It is a general request and not meant to put down teachers. Some people are simply reading too much into it and over-reacting,” he said.
A teacher at a Chennai Corporation-run high school said it was only in Tamil Nadu that the school education department insisted on formals – shirts and trousers for male teachers and saris for female teachers. “We visited a few schools in Delhi as part of a programme and found many male teachers dressed in T-shirt and jeans. Even the female teachers were in salwar-kameez,” he said.
This circular is applicable primarily to government and aided schools. However, barring a few private schools in the city that have gradually moved on to a broader dress code for teachers, many private institutions, too, insist that women teachers be dressed in saris.
S. Amudha Lakshmi, principal of Chettinad Vidyashram, said the school prescribes saris for its women teachers. “If, for medical reasons, some teachers want an exemption, we give one temporarily.” Chitra Prasad, correspondent and principal, NSN Matriculation School also feels sari tends to be a more appropriate outfit for women teachers, particularly in higher classes. “They tend to look mature in a sari and students take them more seriously. Sari is considered moredignified, particularly in south India.”
But, there are also those like Calibre Educational Foundation Trustee Madhuvanthi Arun who believe that it is not what one wears, but how one wears it. “It’s not about sari or salwar-kameez. Dignity is something that comes from within. And all our teachers know that – they are thinking individuals and professionals,” she said.
Jashoda Sundar of Sivaswami Kalalaya Senior Secondary School, said she strongly believes that any teacher who takes herself and her job seriously will dress appropriately. “Some people tend to equate saris with decency. It doesn’t work that way – there is nothing indecent about salwar-kameez or trousers. Teachers know these things,” she said.
Keywords: teachers dress code, TN education department
The Tamilnadu Education Dept. is not worried about the teachers
working in govt school sending their children to private schools only;
the teachers are also not bothered about the quality of education
imparted by them but the more salary they are paid the best private
schools they seek for their wards. Govt school teachers are the best
example for liars and generations of citizens exhibiting "double
standards" are moulded from these educational institutions. The debate
should be more on whether it is ethical to work in govt schools and
send one' own children to private schools only and not on dress code.
Wow!!! The moral police strikes again and for the wrong reason. "Cooling glass and a cap" and "posing like a hero" are issues now. The idiot who took offense on this, should be fired from Chennai corporation. People should realize that teachers are common people to, with likes and dislikes. They should be given space to fulfil these simple wishes, and infact be encouraged to show their human side to their students. Chennai corporation should withdraw this note and apologize to the teachers and public alike. Stupidity can be found in unexpected places. Today we found it in Chennai corporation
Government should not appoint itself as the moral guardian of the
society. Imparting moral lessons is not its job.It should mind its
business which has been assigned to them at public cost.Government has
no moral ground to preach about dignity.
Enough has been commented already about this topic. Opinions are certainly welcome from readers, but what is critical and necessary decision is that what is acceptable for the society at large. Here the society is obviously TN schools. Not World, Not India, Not North India, Not South India. And in order for any society to function normally, there must be a set of broad guidelines to be followed. That is true with any society. Free society is acceptable only if participating members are self disciplined and that kind of a society hardly exist. it is like looking to apply the formula PV = nRT. Under these circumstances, establishing broad guidelines would be very helpful for the society to function normally. But the important point is the guidelines should be well thought through and not be decided by authorities with skewed thought process. The above decision needs to be thought-through and arrived upon. But for god's sake do not compare with any other state/country. Thats ignorance.
I was amazed reading this article. Why does india treat all its citizens as if they are toddlers. i just cannot accept that adults are told what to wear. i personally find sari a very unbecoming attire. It is like a uniform that women wear in india. Girls between 16 to 30 years of age look 50 years old and those who are over 30 years of age look like a hag when they wear a sari. I live in Britain and i have not found teachers here being treated by students in a disrespectful manner.There are problem children everywhere, who will be disrespectful, this has nothing to do with what a teacher wears.
Sir, I do not understand the need for the criticism about the government order, which only says that the teachers have to wear any dress that is in decent manner. What is wrong? The teachers can not argue that it their prerogative to wear "any" dress. There is a lot sense and semantics behind dress code all over the world. While some follow the code for need and the others follow it as a tradition. Students in school wear uniform, Customer meetings in corporates need formal dresses. Even in my college there were two lecturers, one dressed modestly and the other not so modest. There were comments passed. I am not justifying the passing comments but that can be avoided by being modestly dressed. Teachers have a responsibility and so others holding responsible jobs. As an individual outside the place of need, one can wear whatever. But responsibility means a lot. So instead of criticizing, let us take this as guideline. Why frown?
India, grow up! There's nothing more to add. We are living in the 21st Century! I live in Germany. Here teachers can wear what they want. As each person is different, let each one decide what is best for him/her. Students know how to evaluate their teachers. Its not what they wear, but how efficient and professional they are in their areas of speciality is what matters, end of the day! What is the necessity of "dressing decently" when one's mind is already corrupted? By the way, who said, "eat for yourself, dress for others" - its the stupidest quote I've ever heard, perhaps put together by the Mr. Jayaram himself. Here in cold countries, one has to dress for oneself, otherwise one would freeze. In the same way, it is absurd to cover oneself up from head to toe in a tropical country as India. Please use some reason. The discovery of blouses for women is also repressive and patriarchal. On the other hand, I find it most funny, when youngsters wear Jeans in hot, hot chennai!
Does someone still thinks that sraee is a comfortable dress for our climate and weather. I feel a loose pant and a cotton shirt will be more comfortable and doesn't expose too much. Moreover what ro wear or not to is individual choice, govt. has no role in it.If I want to expose myself that is my liberty until otherwise i don't come nude. I hope that govt. should stop this kind of nanny state in th e21 st century. Instead of concentrating on real issues such as corruption, poverty govt. is wasting time on these issues whcih are more personal.
I taught English in a private school in chennai.I was told to wear a
saree everyday to school.Except for lower classes,hardly any student
from higher classes had any respect for a teacher.They would pass
comments in front of the teacher.So how can anyone say that students
give more respect to teachers or take them more seriously.And not to
mention,nowadays,students,both boys and girls come to school wearing
stylish accessories like jewellery,stylish hairstyle as if they have
come to a fashion show and not school.Doesn't the Government need to
make some rules on students too?There's a need for a circular on
students too.
I find this circular bit silly.I mean one should dress the way they like but one should maintain the desency.Our country should develop in such areas where dress code does not becomes a major issue to our society.Sometimes I read in news papers stating that
women should dress up in a proper way so that men don't get attracted and indecence crime takes place.I strongly appose this because as a human a women has an equal right to choose to dress up the way she wants.Thank you!
Eat for yourself; dress for others - it is said. While one should dress in a such a manner that it does not become a laughing stock before others, it, however, should not be to impress others; Professional ethics must also be adhered to. In a class room where there are students, most of of them would be adolescent, is it appropriate for a lady teacher to come clad in skinny dresses? In so far as the circular does not say that teachers should come in such a dress or the other, why make a fuss. One should not read in between the lines.
Govermnt has circulated a circular to wear descent clothes,so why we are making it an issue of dignity and all.Government has not qouted personaly to anyone ,it was so general.And it is a need of the our because the western culture overshadows our culture in many ways.Teachers are the beacons towards a good national and humanity so if we starts from here it will be a good move.
I am definite that most of the students would not have heard about this circular unless given wide publicity in our Tamil channels.
Till this day, no student would have even remotely imagined or thought on these lines. What this stupid circular has done with its publicity is that it has turned their attention to this act.
We wonder what is an indecent exposure? some times, saree clad women are a real turn on than a salwar kameez.
If you turn any one's attention to a non issue, they especially students will become more curious and venture .
this circular is an embarrassment to teachers .
I live in Spain, and teachers come to primary school wearing shorts.
Initially, I thought it was a bit excessive, but given the heat, it is
appropriate and comfortable for working with small kids through the day.
Temperatures in India are on the average 10 degree celsius more.
Humidity is close to 80%. Such circulars go against common sense.
@ Subbu- the comments reek of patriarchy. Perhaps he is not aware of civic duty. It is
because of the fact that only the affected person must speak up - Holocaust occured. This
concerns everyone since a government ordered someone to dress up today can tomorrow
ask you to only read and see only what it deems fit.
You might like a nanny state Subbu - but it is not the same for all of us.
Moral policing - be it by the state, non- state or family actors - is repulsive and inhibitive. It
creates an element of doubt and consciousness. The intent is to control and conform. A
country that claimed independence nearly 65 years ago - is still learning its mind to be free.
Does 'decently dressed' mean wearing a saree and a blouse? Most of our
women do expose their midriff in the process. This can not be accepted
as being 'decently dressed' by any standards or culture.
What is the hue and cry about this circular?This is applicable for those who dress indecently.Hence who dress in a decent manner can leave the circular as it it is.
Dressing is part of our personality. The Tamil saying goes like this "Aal paathi aadai paathi". What puzzles a thinking person is why the Government turning a blind eye to gross and indecent violations of dress code in cinemas and dramas which are not in line with our culture and tradition. Today more than the teachers, the actors and actresses are looked upon as role models by youngsters. Why not the government come out with a dress code for actors just as the ban on smoking in films?
Its an unwarranted circular for the teachers, on the other hand Government should focus on dress code for Hospital Nurses and Women police personnel, its their big skirts (for nurses) and tight pants with shirts tucked in for the lady cops which makes them look extremely bad.
I dont know the reason for this hue and cry. What is wrong in saying that the teachers should wear decently? That is what every student and their parents also want. Let us not make mountain out of molehill and news out of nothing - HINDU please!
Because a teacher was photographed with a sun glass and a cap like a
hero? They are heroes.
What is wrong if a teacher wears a sun glass or a cap?
As the official clarified it was a routine thing done from time to time, just as a reminder. People who react are the ones who are defensive. Just as the students should not wear whatever they like, so should the teachers. While there are still some teachers at all levels in all places who dress befitting their profession, we find many teachers dressed worse than the students. A male teacher should not come to work in Bermudas in the name of freedom. Similarly, in the case of women, one may be dressed in a sari but still reveal a lot that is not required for teaching purposes!
Whatever the teachers wear,it should impress the students and a
sense of respect must be created in the minds of the pupils,giving
no room for negative comments in private,about the
attire.However,being the makers of the role models for the present
society,the teachers shouldn't have protested the issue of
circular,by taking it as a routine circular for their information.
This much of fuss is wholly unwarranted in the matter.
Making a dress code to the teachers is very good decision.It shows the dignity of the teachers very effectively.
Teachers are those who have to be treated as equally to our god since
they are paving us in the right path with right wisdom and they are also
our moral guardians as they have a moral responsibility to mould each
students to become a perfect social citizen..Inspite of this a teacher
must have to possess their dignity in all aspects,that should impart
moral dignity to the students..so according to my opinion the government
interference is not at all inappropriate since they are really concerned
over the educational system.
Thats a very funny circular.They should specify the space between the
choli and the saree.Exactly one inch.They should specify the length
of the sleeve-half an inch above the elbow.They should specify the
neck cutting.Roughly one inch all around below the neck.
They should allow ladys suits with skirts two inches below the knee
and tops with sleeves between below the elbow and the wrist.Tops with
collars etc.Use the services of a fashion designer and suggest three
modes on Photograph and then circulate the model dressing of teachers.
Great! The government does not govern what needs to be governed and interferes in things that they should be least worried about.
They will come down heavily on teachers and professors when they bring a
dress code for the adolescent students but they will without any call come and advice teachers what they should wear, that too from a picture where someone wears a cooling glass and cap! What the heck they want to do in the scorching hot and bright day at places like chennai.
Seriously who are these people who don't know to prioritize what is the need for the society! Please fix the students, their attitudes towards education and teachers, their friends and party circle, MMS Clips and all nonsense. Leave teachers to do what they do the best - Teaching!
I am an English teacher for grade 1 to 7 at a government school. My
children want see me always with their best. Indeed I wear some clothes,
they like much. Our modern children some times like some new fashioned
dresses but I don't wear any t-shirts, jeans. They sometimes discuss
over my dress. They like it too.
'It is not what one wears but how one wears'. Madhuvanti Arun has put it in a decent
way.Education of dress code is equally important in a dignified human civic society.
Punjabi suits, jeans have over taken many of our dresses.I wear saris
occasionally. As for the teachers, I think they are the only ones who
wear saris on all the days. The government circular is most not
welcome.
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