TEACHERS CALL FOR SAREES
Our blessed island is never short of varied controversies that crop up times without number. One of the latest to surface is the CALL FOR SAREE-PLUS AND LESS by the Govt. school female teachers!
One group of teachers want the saree to remain as their one and only school wear, while others favour alternative dresses instead, when attending school. The conservatives feel that the saree and Osariya (Kandyan version) being part and parcel of our country’s rich culture and an age-old tradition, hence the ideal attire for school teachers enabling them to maintain much dignity and decorum. On the flip side, with rapidly changing times, most young and not so young ladies who are employed both in the corporate and state sectors prefer ready-made clothing that are in vogue today, to sarees. Also, convenience, comfort, affordability and reduced dressing time are plus points for their preference.
On the other hand, much has been said and flaunted on human rights and gender equality for women in Srilanka, although in this instance only male teachers are given a choice to wear what they prefer to school.
However, it should be noted that some female teachers on physical training aspects including sports and dancing have opted to wear dresses other than sarees which are convenient and supportive of their practical training activities, without any fuss.
There are around 250,000 teachers of which 75% are females. In this background, it is high time the minister of education and other hierarchical officers concerned without making biased and top-down directives or proclamations arbitrarily on dress-code for female teachers, appoint an expert committee of only lady professionals and experts to make a final decision on this matter. The committee should be mandated to obtain views of all stake holders -specially the female teachers and principals- and decide once and for all the most suitable dress or dresses for all govt. female teachers.
Sooner the committee is appointed the better. If not, there is every possibility that this dressy situation may go out of control and very soon instead of modest and decent dress wear, we may see fashion parades even in schools!!
M.r.pathirage, Kolonnawa