(Jamaica Gleaner) A universal dress code is now in place to govern the way teachers are dressed while they are on the job. The Ministry of Education document outlines that it is imperative that all members of staff in the ministry and in schools be appropriately attired and well groomed for the office and for business and professional assignments.
However, the document has met with mixed reactions from persons in the education system, some of whom are not pleased with aspects of the rules.
The ministry’s document outlined that if persons fail to adhere to the rules, they could be faced with disciplinary actions.
“Staff members who breach the ‘dress code’ should be sent home by their supervisors to change into appropriate office attire, and return to work by 11 a.m., or forfeit the day. An officer who repeats the offence twice will be subject to disciplinary action,” the dress code read. Implementation of the penalties, however, is left up to each school’s discretion.
Education Minister Andrew Holness said the ministry has been receiving complaints about the way in which some teachers are inappropriately attired for work from board chairmen, principals and parents.
He said the initiative to form the dress code did not come from the ministry, but instead from board chairmen who asked that the ministry’s staff dress code be made systemwide.
“What we have discovered is that principals were actually struggling to get their staff to conform to a dress code. I think most principals accepted this as a good thing because it gives them empowerment to take action and to bring their staff together to uniformity.
“Teaching is about being consistent and it is very difficult for schools to say here is the uniform code for students but yet there might be some teachers not following a uniform code, so I think many principals were happy to see the code,” Holness added.
The minister added that the dress code is of a minimum standard and so schools are free to add to it. However, schools that are below the standard are encouraged to at least meet the requirements.
Board’s decision
President of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association, Paul Adams, said the schools have already developed their dress codes to fit into a situation for professional persons.
“The ministry cannot dictate a dress code for schools, the ministry may suggest guidelines … . From time to time, the ministry may send suggestions and so forth, but they can’t dictate because boards run schools,” he argued.
Linda Loza, acting principal of Calabar Infant, Primary and Junior High School, said her staff was not OK with all the items on the dress code.
“Some of the items on the dress code need to be re-examined. Some of the teachers were saying that some of the items were restrictive. For example, that teachers are not to wear sandals because it provides comfort for the standing,” she said.
Principal of Holy Childhood High, Sister Maxine Mcintosh, FMS, said the guidelines that make up the ministry’s code are things that are already in place at her school.
She said if persons step out of line at her school, they are asked to go home and get themselves properly attired.
She added that since the new school year, one teacher was sent home for inappropriate dress.
What not to wear for ladies
Jeans (pants, blouses, jackets and skirts)
Tight-fitting clothing (dresses, blouses, skirts, pants) made from denim or similar materials
Camisoles, sleeveless blouses, halter or tank tops without jackets
Walking shorts, tights and pants above the ankle (cropped pants)
Slippers/sandals (except for certified medical reasons) and flip-flops
Where female staff wish to dispense of high heels at work, they are encouraged to wear flat shoes
Micro-mini and mid-thigh dresses or skirts
Skirts or dresses with splits in excess of four inches above the knee
Skirts or dresses with hemlines more than two inches above the knee
Sheer or revealing clothing that exposes cleavage/midriff
Excessive jewellery (No more than two pieces of any one item)
Eyebrow, lip or nose rings
Multicoloured or brightly coloured hair
What not to wear for men
Jeans pants and shirts
Ear or nose rings
Designs in haircut, hairstyles and cornrows
Sandals and sneakers
Pants below the waist
Sweat pants
Shoes without socks
Polo shirts, T-shirts and ‘ganzies’
Shirts outside of pants (except bush/shirt jackets)
