No dress code for college teachers: Kerala higher education minister R Bindu

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Following complaints about some college managements insisting on a dress code of their liking for teachers in higher education institutions, the higher education department issued an order that clarified that insisting on such a dress code is untenable and undesirable.
“Government has prescribed no dress code for teachers in higher education institutions. Dressing style is a personal choice. As of now, there is no rule that demands a lady teacher to wear only sari on campus. Teachers can wear any dress of their choice as far as it's decent and convenient,” said higher education minister R Bindu.
She said the order was issued after she received complaints that some college heads and managements tried to interfere with the personal choices of teachers.
“There is no government order that prescribes saree as the official dress for teachers,” the order said.
According to the minister, some college managements and certain institution heads still try to enforce dress codes that are not in sync with the changing times. This happens despite repeated clarifications issued by the higher education department over the same, she added.
“Lady teachers in higher education institutions in Kerala have the right to wear a dress of their choice. The attempts to exercise unnecessary control over teachers in the name of outdated moral ideals cannot be entertained at any cost,” Bindu said.