Parents in lungis, nighties draw Chennai school’s ire

City institution imposes dress code for adults saying their improper attire affected attention of girl students

Parents who drop their children at school may soon be asked to mind their attire.

A city school has sent a formal circular to parents forbidding them from wearing lungis, nighties or shorts when they drop or pick up children from the school gate.

“It is all about enforcing some discipline in the school premises. We see parents coming in really inappropriate attire. It does not send a good signal to the children, who are asked to come dressed in proper uniform and shoes,” said V. Raghupathy, senior principal, Velammal Matriculation School.

He said the security guards had been asked to warn parents who dressed improperly.

Many parents are quite upset with the decision. “When we tried to reason with the school officials, they said such attire affected the attention of girl students. This is completely illogical,” said a parent.

Another parent said the diktat would further compound parents’ woes and add to their stress.

“It makes no sense to impose a dress code on us when we already have time and traffic issues to deal with. It takes barely a minute for my son to get off the scooter and rush into the school premises. Why so much fuss on what I am wearing?” the parent said.

Some parents, however, sided with the school.

“Most fathers are in shorts, and it is an embarrassment for everyone around. There are times when the parents are called inside to speak to the teachers, or when they have to drop the child all the way to the classroom because of the rains,” said K. Saumya, a parent.

It made sense to be properly attired on such occasions, she said.