Teachers at a primary school in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Sanjib Mukherjee

Bhubaneswar, Sept. 17: The debate over the dress code for teachers seems to be intensifying with each passing day. After primary teachers, it is now the turn of their high school counterparts to don uniforms.

The new dress code makes it necessary for female teachers to come to the school wearing sarees with beige body and maroon border besides a matching maroon blouse while male teachers have been asked to come wearing black trousers and white shirts.

The mass education department’s circular to the high school teachers to come to schools in uniforms by October 2 has evoked a mixed responses across the teaching community in the capital.

While a large chunk of teachers in the city’s high schools have expressed dissent over the “imposition”, many others seemed satisfied with the novel concept. Some teachers who spoke against the introduction, however, refrained from disclosing their identities. (Their names have been changed on request).

Bandana Mohapatra headmistress of Capital High School opined that making uniforms mandatory was a “very good endeavour”. “Being a teacher is a matter of pride and with uniforms, we will get the desired recognition in society. Also it would bring in the required discipline. Teachers cannot loiter around outside during school hours. We welcome the dress code,” she said.

“Women generally spend a lot of time choosing the saree they plan to wear when coming to schools. Uniforms will cut down on that time. It would at least save a few minutes that can be better utilised in other important work,” said Mohapatra.

Teacher Pratikshya Biswal, however, questioned: “If the government is so keen to ‘discipline’ everyone by introducing uniforms, why only teachers? Just so that they can spot us if we are not in schools? If the government officials also put on the uniform, you would find more of them out of their offices.”

“The colour combination and the idea of using handlooms is really something worth appreciation. It would not only help our dying weaver community but also keep up our tradition and culture,” said Sarojini Majhi, another teacher.

High school teacher Mrunalini Das said: “I like the idea for the aesthetic sense it has. It will bring in uniformity and the feeling of belonging. There will neither be any difference between the affluent and those who are not able to afford high quality sarees, now any difference between senior or junior, headmistress or a teacher. The show-off and discussion on sarees will no more be there saving much of our time. It’s a very good decision.”

Another teacher Namita Mohanty alleged: “The lecturers have been spared even though we are no less qualified. Through this step, the government has made it quite evident in what regard they hold the government schools. Dress code is humiliating and will only create an inferiority complex among us.”

She opined that the secretary of mass education, Aparajita Sarangi, should read the newspaper everyday to find out how dissatisfied the teachers were with the diktat. “Why should young teachers like us wear such dull, depressing colours? Moreover, it is not an easy task to maintain handloom sarees. The government should come out of its bubble instead of gloating in the fact that the teachers are happy with the dress code,” she added.

Teacher Kabita Senapati said she did not like the idea of uniforms as wearing uniforms would restrict her. “Many of us would prefer to be coming with the drape we like. Since it’s a rule and we are into the profession, we will have no option, but I personally don’t like the idea,” she said.

“It’s a good decision but we are yet to be clear on the directive. It simply mentions the colour. Most of us don’t even know what the exact pattern or the border is going to be. They could have made it clear so that we could start purchasing,” said Saudamini Mishra, a teacher.

Male teachers did not appear much bothered with the new rule.

Teacher Bramhananda Swain said: “The system of uniform was there in private schools and now it’s being introduced in government schools. I neither find any harm, nor do I think it will make a big difference in any way. It will be good if the government can give us a uniform allowance. But even if it doesn’t, the uniforms will be affordable to most of us.”

“It is good. The black and white combination is okay though it looks like lawyers. But in one way its good as people will recognise us as teachers. People can ask us on matter relating to school and students,” said Ashok Panda, a teacher.

Senior teacher of another high school, Sangeeta Choudhury, said: “We have no choice other than accepting the dress code but the government should be thoughtful enough to give us an allowance in this regard,” said Choudhury.

Samir Behera, headmaster of Government Boys High School, Unit 9, said: “It is good that the government has said that teachers comfortable wearing dhotis should to continue with it. It has also allowed widow teachers to wear the saree without border.”

“The expenses will, in fact, lessen specially for women,” he added.

“If they have decided on providing uniforms to all, they should have thought something for the non teaching staff as well. We feel left out,” said Kailash Chandra Sathpathy, a non-teaching staff.

“Is there any provision for a dress code in our code of education or is there any such rule in other states? Only four months ago, the Calcutta High Court had ruled that dress code is a violation of personal liberty and cannot be imposed on a schoolteacher. A protest could backfire and we would end up losing our jobs,” said Bisweswari Ray of a local high school.

Archana Paikaray of Baramunda High School, calling the secretary of mass education a “dictator”, said all teachers and heads of the schools who have accepted the diktat have done so out of fear. “Why should someone with just two years to retire bother buying sarees? Can she (Sarangi) wear the same saree to office everyday?”

She alleged the teachers were not consulted before taking the step.

“What is the point of calling a meeting of teachers’ associations once the decision has been made public the previous day?” she fumed. She cited recent examples of teachers molesting students and said: “Putting someone in uniform cannot change their character or discipline them.”

“Two of our bureaucrats’ wives are teaching in the city’s premier colleges. Let us see if they can implement the same for the lecturers,” she added.

Students of Baramunda High School also voiced their opinions about the dress code for the teachers.

Sonalika Mishra, a Class IX student said: “It is a good step. But I do not like the colour of the saree that they are supposed to wear.” Another student, Rabindra Behera of Class X, said: “The teachers would receive respect everywhere if they don the uniform.”

Should there be dress code for schoolteachers?

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