ISLAMABAD: Academic staff in the country’s federal capital will now have to follow a dress code as according to a recent letter, employees won’t be able to wear t-shirts, jeans and have to follow appropriate formal clothing advised by the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE).
The recent notification issued by the department on Tuesday (today) directed all heads of educational institutions to ensure teachers ‘observe reasonably good measures in their physical appearance and personal hygiene’.
The letter recommended a formal dress for females which includes: “Appropriate simple and decent shalwar kameez, trouser, shirt with dupatta/shawl. Purdah observing females are allowed to wear scarf/hijab while ensuring its clean and neat appearance. Fancy/party dresses in official gatherings/meetings are discouraged”.
It also clarified that wearing jeans and tights are not allowed in any case while formal shoes are allowed. Owing to long-standing hours during teaching, comfortable shoes like sneakers and sandals can be worn as well. But wearing slippers is not allowed at all.
As it adds certain restrictions for female staff, the letter also added a ‘what to wear’ list for men.
“Wear appropriate, simple, and decent shalwar qameez 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). Wearing jeans is not allowed in any case. During the summer, a half sleeves dress shirt or bush shirt can also be worn but t-shirts of all types are not allowed”, it said.
The FDE directed male staff to wear only formal shoes. It said wearing shalwar Kameez with waistcoat, pants, and shirt with tie (preferably jacket/coat) was mandatory.
It further asked to maintain regular haircuts, beard trimming, nail cutting, shower, and use of deodorants/perfume. The letter said gatekeepers must always be in their recommended uniforms and all the support staff may also be allocated a uniform.
All staff shall maintain a formal dress code while in the institutions, premises, and during official gatherings, ceremonies and meetings.
The list didn’t end here as it also recommended that all teaching staff must wear gowns while attending the class and lab coats while taking practical period.
The letter sparked a debate as many termed it dress policing, however, the FDE director while speaking with a news outlet said the letter was issued with a ‘good intention’.
“It is the responsibility of teachers to observe a proper dress code as they are a role model for students”, he maintained.
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