Recently, Pakistan’s Federal Directorate of Education issued a notice wherein they directed female teachers to not wear jeans and tights. On the other hand, male teachers were asked to not wear T-shirts and jeans, reports India Today.
According to Dawn, both male and female teachers have been asked to ensure personal hygiene – including regular haircuts, beard trimming, nail cutting and use of perfume.
The formal dress code for female teachers includes a “decent” salwar kameez, trouser, shirt with a dupatta or a shawl. Purdah observing females are allowed to wear a scarf or a hijab but one that is “neat and clean” in appearance. Only formal shoes like pumps, loafers and mules are allowed. Comfortable footwear like sneakers and sandals have also been allowed, considering teachers stand for a long time. However, slippers are not allowed.
For male teachers, the letter instructed, “Wear appropriate, simple and decent salwar kameez preferably with a waistcoat in accordance with the weather conditions. Wear a dress shirt (full sleeves preferably with tie) and trousers (dress and cotton pants only). During the summer, a half sleeves dress shirt or bush shirt can also be worn. Only formal shoes (dress shoes, loafers, moccasins and boots) must be worn.”
Members of the staff have been asked to stick to the dress code inside the institution and during official gatherings, ceremonies and meetings.
This notice has sparked outrage online where people highlighted that banning certain clothes stands in the way of people’s freedom. Some also called it a “dictatorship”.
Given the general state of the country, this government’s priorities are insane…
Federal Directorate of Education issues dress code for male, female teachers – Pakistan – https://t.co/wEReTyynYj https://t.co/dkwAEtmJJU
— Maria Amir (@Beentherella) September 8, 2021
Focus on improving education standard than on dress code.
Federal Directorate of Education issues dress code for male, female teachers https://t.co/Ri1KiMpHdy— zahid Hussain (@hidhussain) September 7, 2021
While we are still busy telling men and women what to wear. Rest of world is going casual creating thinking spaces, artificial intelligence and cloud based applications. 😩😒😩 Federal Directorate of Education issues dress code for male, female teachers https://t.co/ptjgITxtfI
— najma minhas (@MinhasNajma) September 7, 2021
Dress code won't stop the nasty thinking of men/teenagers we have in our society. So kindly keep that Taliban thinking to your ourself. We have been raised in same country you made the young nation thinking worst. https://t.co/Chz4tR1lzE
— quixotic (@Oneofabich) September 8, 2021
Are we living under some sort of dictatorship? Dress Code for teachers. please raise standard of education rather than getting head in useless things
Federal Directorate of Education issues dress code for male, female teachers https://t.co/WvEznPuIj0 https://t.co/jrnbiM3kQB
— Rubab (@Rubab) September 7, 2021
However, there were also some who lauded the new dress code.
Encouraging step. Dress code as per the Islamic teaching be enforced and extended to all educational institutions of the country and for both teachers and students. https://t.co/c4c4G2md1S
— Ansar Abbasi (@AnsarAAbbasi) September 8, 2021
This should have happened a long time ago. Totally support this step taken in the right direction by FDE. Now they have to ensure that the rules are being followed. Dress code & hygiene should be implemented in other departments of society as well. https://t.co/mRMFvoXMF6
— Saud Adeel (@Saudqureshipk) September 8, 2021
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