‘Dress code’ letter lands 2 officials in trouble

The Punjab government on Tuesday suspended two senior officials of the education department for issuing a letter enforcing a “dress code” for women teachers at government schools.

The government had taken strong notice of the matter as the letter was issued “without proper authorisation” and contained “denigrating language” to teachers.

The two officers are deputy director Amrish Shukla and assistant director Amarbir Singh.

Education minister Aruana Chaudhary said that the two officials were responsible for issuing the letter without taking the higher authorities into confidence.

She said any affront to the dignity of the teaching community would not be tolerated. The minister said the controversial letter has been withdrawn.

In the circular issued to all circle education officers and the district education officers, it was said that “jeans, tops, bhadkeela pehrawa (bright suits) and fashionable dresses” worn by women teachers at government schools “excite” students and have a bad influence on them.

The order directed all district officials to conduct regular checks in schools to ensure no woman teacher wears such clothes.

“We are receiving complaints that teachers in government schools, especially women... wear jeans, tops and other many more exciting fashionable dresses during their duty hours. This affects students,” the letter said.