Himachal implements mandatory dress code for teachers in government CBSE schools

The dress code has been formulated as per the climatic conditions of Himachal Pradesh (Photo: ANI). Himachal Pradesh implemented a mandatory dress code for teachers across 148 government CBSE schools on Thursday, attempting to create a more organised and professional learning environment.A notice dated September 10 explained that the prescribed dress code has been formulated "keeping in view the professional requirements of the teaching profession, uniformity in appearance and the climatic conditions of Himachal Pradesh."The dress code's colour palette includes light lilac, lilac purple and navy blue, with black prescribed for footwear and other specified accessories.The prescribed dress code offers female teachers three alternatives: a saree with a blazer, a kurta/kameez with pants, a plazo or salwar and a blazer, and a shirt and blazer with pants and a tie. For male teachers, however, only a single formal combination has been laid down: shirt with a tie, pants, and a blazer.According to the notice, the dress code is mandatory and will apply to all teachers, including principals, without exception, regardless of how they were recruited or engaged. This includes teachers whose services are being availed on an outsourced basis, for the time being. Reasonable adjustments may be allowed with the approval of the head of the institution in cases of medical necessity, disability or pregnancy. The state government also plans to open 100 new CBSE schools from the coming academic session, while roughly 2,000 teaching posts in CBSE schools have already been filled, PTI reported.To reinforce accountability, a system that logs teachers' attendance three times a day is also being brought in.Director of school education, Ashish Kohli, said the reforms had made a positive difference to the education sector, placing greater importance on quality education, equal opportunities, accountability and learning centred on students. He added that this had made Himachal Pradesh a role model for education reforms. Pranjal Pandey is a journalist with the editorial desk of The Times of India (Online). He looks at the implications of global events for India, with a particular interest in geopolitics and defence. You can sometimes find him looking at the world map, wondering what’s new.