Punjab withdraws dress code for teachers; suspends two officers

Chandigarh, May 9 (IANS) Under fire from various quarters, the Punjab Education Department on Tuesday suspended two officers and withdrew its controversial order prescribing a dress code for women teachers in government schools.

Education Department Deputy Director Amrish Shukla and Assistant Director Amarbir Singh were suspended by Education Minister Aruna Chaudhary, who took strong exception to the dress code order issued "without proper authorisation".

The controversial order, issued in Punjabi language, said "jeans, tops, bhadkeela pehrawa (brightly coloured clothes) and fashionable dresses" worn by women teachers had a bad influence on students.

It also directed district education officials to conduct regular inspections in government schools to ensure that women teachers did not wear such clothes.

Chaudhary said the letter contained "very denigrating language (about) female teachers", adding the two officers were responsible for issuing it without taking higher authorities into confidence.

"Any affront to the dignity of nation-building teaching community will not be tolerated. Such a language in respect of women teaching staff smacks of regressive thinking and such a mindset needs to be condemned," the Minister said.

But the officers concerned justified the order, saying that complaints were received that government teachers, especially women, reported for duty wearing "bhadkeela pehrawa".

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