No Casual Attire Allowed: Maharashtra Government Sets Dress Code for Teachers, Bans Jeans and T-shirts

In a significant move, the Maharashtra government has introduced a dress code for school teachers, prohibiting the wearing of jeans, t-shirts, dark-colored clothes, or designs and prints. According to a Government Resolution (GR) issued by the school education department, female teachers are advised to wear salwar or churidar with a kurta and dupatta or a saree, while male teachers should opt for a shirt and trousers, with the shirt tucked-in.

The GR, which outlines nine-point guidelines regarding the dress code, applies to all schools, regardless of whether they are public or privately run and affiliated with the board. The resolution emphasizes the importance of teachers being mindful of their attire, as school-going children are impressionable and inappropriate clothing choices by teachers could have a negative impact.

However, this move has drawn criticism from teachers and educationists who question the necessity and intent behind such a mandate. Many argue that teachers are already conscious of dressing appropriately, and schools have their own measures to ensure decorum. Some view this as unnecessary interference by the state into individual and local prerogatives.

While the government clarifies that these guidelines are not mandates and there are no plans for punitive action against non-compliance, it has introduced a symbolic gesture to recognize teachers. Henceforth, teachers will prefix “Tr” before their name, similar to “Dr” for doctors and “Adv” for lawyers, aiming to boost their morale and provide them with formal recognition. The Commissionerate for School Education is tasked with finalizing the symbol and ensuring its widespread publicity.