Dress code in all govt colleges in first phase: Minister

Lucknow: After announcing mandatory uniforms for students in state-run universities and colleges in the state, UP’s higher education minister Yogendra Upadhyaya on Friday said the implementation will be done in a phased manner. The decision to introduce a dress code was taken on Chancellor and Governor Anandiben Patel’s directions, Upadhyaya said.In the first phase, the dress code will be introduced only in colleges, including govt, govt-aided and self-finance institutions, the minister told TOI, adding that the state-run universities would be covered in the second phase. All institutions will be free to decide the colour of the uniforms, the minister said.Upadhyaya said he will meet representatives of private universities to convince them to introduce dress code in their institutions as well. The idea to bring in dress code is to promote a sense of equality and discipline among students, he said.According to the minister, the student community in universities and colleges forms a homogeneous group in which no form of discrimination or social hierarchy should be visible. “Differences in attire often reflect social and economic inequalities, which can create feelings of inferiority among some students and superiority among others,” he said.Upadhyaya reiterated that the dress code will ensure that all students study in an equal environment. He stressed that govt’s objective is not limited to improving academic quality alone, but also to creating a positive, disciplined, and value-based atmosphere in educational institutions.Welcoming dress code, vice-chancellor of DDU University Gorakhpur, Prof Poonam Tandon, said, “A uniform dress code across institutions will promote discipline, equality, a sense of identity, and a more academic environment among students.”APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University vice-chancellor Prof JP Pandey said there is no harm in introducing dress code in higher learning institutions. “It will end the divide between rich and poor. Also, any student wearing the uniform will be caught if he/she remains at public places during the study hours,” he said.