In a move that has invoked criticism from the education community, the Maharashtra Education Department has announced a dress code for male and female teachers.
As per the circular released by the education department, female staff are expected to either wear a saree or a salwar while male teachers must wear shirt and trousers.
Currently, the dress code in private schools across Maharashtra ranges from school to school. While some schools expect teachers to wear only salwar and kameez for women and casuals for men, the others, mostly international schools allow Western business casuals for both genders.
The department, however, said that the choice of color rests with individual schools.
Female teachers can wear a salwar, skirts and kurta or kurta sets with dupattas to school. While for male staff, it has been suggested that light color shirts be worn over dark pants and tucked in. With expections for medical reasons, male teachers must wear shoes to school and female teachers must sport “appropriate” footwear.
Citing that students look up to teachers as role models, the circular states the manner in which teachers dress has implications on children.
