Karachi colleges staff told to follow formal dress code

KARACHI: The Directorate of College Education, Karachi region, has issued a circular directing employees at government colleges to observe a formal dress code during working hours, stating that casual or unsuitable clothing does not meet the professional standards expected in public educational institutions.

According to the circular issued on Thursday, the directorate said it had noted with serious concern that some employees, particularly male staff, were attending duty in casual or inappropriate clothing. It said this included T-shirts, jeans, tight-fitting clothes, slippers and fancy sunglasses.

The notification stated that such clothing would not be allowed during official working hours. It further said that wearing T-shirts, jeans, tight-fitting clothes or fancy sunglasses during office hours was strictly prohibited for all employees, and asked that the directions be treated as most important and followed in letter and spirit.

Dress code for teaching and non-teaching staff

Under the instructions, male teaching staff, especially those posted at government girls’ colleges, have been told to wear decent and formal dress, preferably a full-sleeved shirt with formal trousers or traditional shalwar kameez. They were also advised to wear an academic gown with proper formal shoes while delivering lectures.

Female teaching staff were directed to wear decent, modest and professional clothing suited to an educational setting. The circular said their appearance should uphold the dignity of the teaching profession and support a respectful academic atmosphere. They too were advised to wear an academic gown with formal shoes while taking lectures.

For non-teaching employees, particularly those serving in government girls’ colleges, the circular said staff should wear neat, decent and official attire in keeping with their responsibilities.

Principals asked to ensure compliance

The directorate has asked principals of government colleges across the Karachi region to circulate the instructions among all employees and ensure strict enforcement. It warned that any violation would be dealt with under the relevant government rules and departmental regulations.