Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Saturday denied that the government had passed an order prohibiting elementary and middle school teachers from wearing jeans to work. The order had reportedly banned teachers from wearing the attire to class or while visiting the directorate in Chandigarh, The Times of India said. "Usually, it is noticed that the teachers of government primary and middle schools come to the schools wearing jeans. They are similarly clad when they visit the directorate for any work, which is not appropriate," mentioned an order issued on the behalf of State Primary Education Director RS Kharb on Thursday.
While the four-line order on the ban did not cite any reason for it, top education department officials said teachers were regarded as role models for students and they should dress appropriately. “Teachers ask students to maintain discipline, including wearing school uniforms. They themselves should wear formal attire to set an example,” an education official told The Times of India.
Teachers' bodies were upset by reports of the order. Leaders of one such outfit, Haryana Vidyalaya Adhyapak Sangh, will soon meet state Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma on the issue.
In 2012, the Women and Child Development Department in the state had asked women employees to wear “decent” clothes while on the field. The order had reportedly said that women should either wear salwar-kameez or saree. The order was withdrawn after several protests.
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