Primary school teachers in uniform. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, Sept. 15: After primary school teachers, it is the turn of their high school counterparts to follow a dress code. The government diktat has, however, triggered resentment in the teaching community.

But the state’s school and mass education department has instructed teachers to follow a uniform dress code.

“From October 2, all high school teachers will have to come to schools wearing the new uniform,” said Bhaskar Patnaik, joint secretary of the school and mass education department.

The new dress code makes it compulsory for female teachers to come to school wearing beige colour sarees with a maroon border and a matching maroon blouse. Their male counterparts would be obliged to wear black trousers and white shirts.

Unhappy with the order, teachers are planning to protest against the instructions. They have already questioned the wisdom of the government on the issue at various levels.

Gauging the hostile mood of the teachers, school and mass education minister Pratap Jena has decided to meet the representatives of different teachers’ unions tomorrow to discuss the issue.

“The issue of dress code would be taken up tomorrow. We will try to convince the teachers to follow guidelines to ensure discipline in schools. It will enhance our image in the public,” said a senior official. The department has asked the circle inspectors of schools to start a series of meetings with headmasters and headmistresses to discuss the issue.

“In the first phase, dress code will be introduced in district educational circles of Cuttack, Khurda, Puri and Ganjam. Later, it would be extended to other schools as well,” said Aparajita Sarangi, secretary, school and mass education department.

Teachers, throughout the state, are supposed to follow the dress code by November 14. While Sarangi claimed that the opinion of the teaching community had been sought, teachers alleged that they were never consulted.

“We have not been consulted on the issue. We have other important issues that should be resolved on a priority basis,” said Indu Madhab Mohanty, president of the Orissa Secondary School Teachers’ Association (OSSTA).