The Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) has issued a new dress code for the staff of educational institutions, whereby teachers working for federal government institutes will not be able to wear jeans and t-shirts.
In a notification issued on September 6, the FDE outlined in detail what men and women can and cannot wear. The FDE reasoned that research has proven that attire has an influence on people’s perceptions and is more than just about something you are wearing.
“At first instance, the outlook imposes a very positive expectation subjective to the likeliness and behaviour pattern of the students,” the FDE said in its notification ahead of its guidelines on the dress codes.
The FDE has prohibited female teachers from wearing jeans or tights, while male teachers can’t wear jeans and T-shirts.
Teachers have been instructed to wear teaching gowns in class and lab coats in the laboratory.
For women, a “simple and decent shalwar kameez/trousers shirt with dupatta/shawl” has been recommended.
Only formal shoes, which includes pumps, loafers and mules, are allowed. But owing to long-standing hours during teaching, comfortable shoes like sneakers and sandals can be worn as well.
Female teachers wearing headscarves will be allowed to wear scarves and hijab, the notification read.
Male teachers will not be allowed to wear shawls (chadars) during winter, but can wear sweaters, coats and jerseys.
If a male teacher is coming in to work wearing shalwar kameez, he has to wear a waistcoat with it.
If he is wearing a dress shirt, it should preferably be full sleeves with a tie and trousers. During the summers, a half sleeves dress shirt and/or bush shirt can also be worn.
For shoes, men can only wear formal shoes, which includes dress shoes, loafers, Moccasins and boots. Sneakers and sandals can be worn too, but not slippers.
All non-teaching staff must also always maintain presentable and wear neat, clean and properly ironed clothes and appropriate shoes.
A note on “physical appearance” and personal hygiene was also given by the FDE, asking all heads of institutions to ensure that every staff member observes “reasonably good measures” in their physical appearance and personal hygiene. This includes a regular haircut, beard trimming, nail cutting, showers and use of deodorants/perfumes.
