No jeans for Haryana school teachers now

CHANDIGARH: After introducing Gita in the school syllabus, the BJP government in Haryana has barred school teachers from wearing jeans. The government says the teachers should become "role models" for the students and desist from wearing jeans in schools as it is considered improper attire, especially in the rural areas.

"Usually, it is noticed that the teachers of government primary and middle schools come to the schools wearing jeans. They are similarly clad when they visit the directorate for any work, which is not appropriate," mentioned an order issued on the behalf of director of state primary education RS Kharb on Thursday.

Justifying this, state additional chief secretary (school education) PK Das said some states, including Odisha, have a dress code for teachers. There, the uniform for male teachers is black pants and sky blue shirts and pink saris and black blouses for women. However, teachers' bodies are not happy with the decision. With 50% of the over 50,000 teachers in government schools aged below 40, they are used to wearing jeans.

Leaders of one of the bodies Haryana Vidyalaya Adhyapak Sangh has decided to meet state education minister Ram Bilas Sharma on the issue.