CHANDIGARH, July 16 — Members of the Joint Action Committee of Teachers, UT Chandigarh, staged a protest outside the District Education Officer’s (DEO) office in Sector 19 on Tuesday, voicing strong opposition to the Chandigarh education department’s recent directive mandating a uniform dress code for government school teachers.
In a formal objection submitted to the DEO, the committee urged immediate withdrawal of the order, which is set to take effect from July 21. Teachers argued that while professional attire is important, enforcing specific colours and dress styles for all teaching staff—without financial support—is unreasonable.
“The directive doesn’t make sense,” said Savinder Singh, chairperson of the teachers’ union. “The same uniform has been enforced across all teaching levels, and no allowance is being given for it. We believe in dressing appropriately, but forcing fixed colour codes is unacceptable.”
He warned that the union would escalate protests if the order is not revoked by the implementation date. “We are open to dialogue, but if this is pushed forward, we will not stay silent,” Singh added.
The protest comes amid growing unease among teachers, who say the directive was issued without proper consultation. The education department, however, appears determined to implement the policy. UT Director of School Education, Harsuhinderpal Singh Brar, confirmed that several teachers had already begun wearing the mandated uniforms this Monday, in apparent compliance.
“We acknowledge the concerns raised and will engage with the teachers’ committee to hear them out,” Brar said. “That said, the department intends to proceed with the implementation starting next week.”
According to the official order, teachers across Chandigarh’s government schools will be required to wear uniforms once a week. Female principals must wear either a maroon saree with a golden or beige border or a plain maroon suit paired with a golden or beige dupatta. Female teachers are expected to wear an ivory-coloured suit with a slightly darker dupatta or an ivory saree and blouse with a beige or golden border.
Male principals are instructed to wear white formal shirts and grey trousers, while male teachers must don blue formal shirts and grey trousers.
Several educators have questioned the logic and necessity of such specificity. Some have pointed out that the uniform policy overlooks individual comfort, regional sensibilities, and the absence of any financial compensation for purchasing the prescribed attire.
“The move feels top-down and poorly thought out,” said one teacher on the condition of anonymity. “We are not against discipline or decorum, but this takes away our autonomy.”
The education department has maintained that the initiative is part of a broader push to standardize and elevate the public image of government schools. Still, with less than a week before rollout and a growing chorus of opposition, the administration faces increasing pressure to reconsider or revise the policy.
As the standoff continues, both sides are expected to hold talks in the coming days. Whether the directive will remain unchanged or see amendments in response to teacher backlash remains uncertain. For now, the threat of expanded protests looms over what was meant to be a symbolic move towards professional uniformity.
