Primary teachers to follow new dress code from next academic year, says Maharashtra school education minister

In a bid to bolster discipline and improve the overall school environment, Maharashtra’s School Education Minister Dada Bhuse has announced that primary school teachers across the state will be required to follow a dress code starting from the upcoming academic year.

Speaking at a school event in Malegaon, Bhuse emphasized that the initiative is part of a larger plan to streamline responsibilities and lighten non-academic duties for teachers. “While the state government is committed to easing the workload on teachers, we are also focusing on elevating the learning atmosphere. Introducing a dress code is one such measure,” he said.

Bhuse added that the government was equally attentive to student welfare, reiterating its ongoing support for school uniforms. "Funds for student uniforms will be directly deposited into the accounts of school management committees. This will enable them to distribute uniforms on the first day of school," he noted.

Teacher groups have welcomed the move in principle, but have urged the government to involve them in shaping the specifics.

“There is no opposition to the decision,” said Sunil Sangle, state treasurer of the Maharashtra Rajya Prathamik Shikshak Samiti. “However, we’d prefer to reserve full comment until the official details are shared with us.”

Sanjeev Borse, secretary of the Primary Teachers' Association in Nashik, echoed a similar sentiment. “A dress code can help improve visibility and engagement between teachers and parents. We only ask that the government collaborates with us on the design and implementation.”