The Bihar Education Department has ordered all educational institutions in the state to “implement a formal dress code” for teachers and non-teaching staff in teaching hours and during office hours. The Department has also been alarmed by the utilisation of DJs and arrangements for discos on school grounds, emphasizing the importance of keeping students disciplined and the dignity of schools.
Bihar Education Minister Mithlesh Tiwari has stated that measures will be put in place to ensure that the guidelines were followed to the hilt. If DJs or disco activities were used during the entertainment programmes on campus, this would not be authorised, he added.
Vijay Kumar Pandey, Director (Administration) of the Education Department posted a letter to the officers at districts on Friday, urging them to make sure that all officials present in schools are wearing formal attire.
Speaking to PTI, Tiwari underlined that discipline should be kept in schools. Teachers are role models for the students and their behaviour and conduct therefore, an important factor in the educational environment is his dress, his actions and his conduct, he said.
The minister quoted the Sanskrit quote ‘Vidya Dadati Vinayam’ (education breeds humility), stressing the need for leading and other teachers to behave properly.
The department’s letter pointed out that there was Inconsistency with regard to appropriate clothing and disciplined behavior in class. Both teachers and non-teaching staff were seen wearing casual clothing (such as jeans and T-shirts) according to reports which were contrary to the current guidelines.
Restriction of DJ And disco Programmes On Campus.
The department also expressed concern to the DJ performances, disco activities and other entertainment programmes deemed unsuitable for educational premises. The “dignity” of educational institutions and the teaching profession could be at stake in the “activities,” the letter says.
But the department said disciplined and dignified cultural programs such as dance or music shows will continue to be held on special occasions based on the academic calendar.
The letter referred to rules citing when dress etiquette must be observed in contempt proceedings in front of the Supreme Court and Patna High Court as instances of institutional dignity.
The District Education officers have been instructed to ensure that all teachers and non-teaching staff adhere to the instructions given during class time and office hours.