LAHORE: The Punjab authorities has directed all academics working in public sector colleges throughout the province to put on black robes throughout college hours whereas performing educational duties, introducing a standardized costume code aimed toward selling uniformity {and professional} identification.
A notification issued by the Punjab Faculty Training Division on February 19, accessible with Daybreakacknowledged that the brand new costume code will come into impact from February 23 (Monday).
The division directed all chief govt officers (CEOs) of district training authorities (DEAs) to make sure the implementation of the directives throughout Punjab.
The notification mentioned that instructing was a career that commanded respect, authority and ethical management in society, and the dignity and credibility of academics was mirrored via their “conduct and look”.
It acknowledged {that a} “well-defined costume code” would improve respect for academics amongst college students, dad and mom and the neighborhood, whereas additionally selling self-discipline, equality and a targeted studying atmosphere inside academic establishments.
Below the accepted coverage, all academics, no matter gender, cadre or geographical location, shall be required to put on a black robe throughout college hours.
The notification mentioned the robe should be worn over modest and first rate apparel in accordance with cultural, social and moral norms.
For male academics, the advisable costume code is included shalwar kameez in “plain and sober colours” or pants and a shirt with closed footwear or sandals with straps.
Feminine academics have been suggested to put on a “appropriate costume that displays dignity”, together with closed footwear or modest sandals.
The notification mentioned that the heads of academic establishments could be liable for guaranteeing day-to-day compliance, whereas CEOs on the district stage have been directed to make sure strict implementation via monitoring mechanisms.
The division termed the matter “most necessary” and instructed authorities to implement the orders in letter and spirit.
Nonetheless, the transfer was criticized by academics’ consultant our bodies.
Punjab Lecturers Union (PTU) Common Secretary Rana Liaqat instructed Daybreak that the atmosphere in lots of components of the province was not appropriate for sporting robes throughout college hours.
He mentioned many academic establishments lacked primary amenities, together with sweepers to take care of cleanliness, and questioned how academics would handle the robes in such situations.
He additional mentioned {that a} appropriate robe would price between Rs3,000 and Rs4,000, including that one instructor would require no less than two robes.
Liaqat recommended that as a substitute of robes, the federal government ought to direct academics to put on them shalwar kameez with a waistcoat or costume pants with a plain shirt on the major, center and highschool ranges.
He proposed that robes may as a substitute be made a part of the uniform for larger training academics at faculties and universities.
He mentioned academics on the major, center and highschool ranges couldn’t financially afford the extra expense and demanded that if the federal government wished to implement the coverage, it ought to present month-to-month monetary help or a stipend for the robes.
He additionally identified that many colleges didn’t have safety guards or designated workplace area to soundly retailer the robes, questioning who could be accountable in case they went lacking and academics needed to bear the monetary loss.
