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Enforcement
of Ministry of Education Sport and Culture Circular No. 76 of 2002
on the Dress Code
Innocent
Sibanda, National Co-ordinator
Progressive Teachers’ Union
of Zimbabwe (PTUZ)
September 13, 2002
We in the Progressive Teachers’ Union
of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) see the above referred to circular (reproduced
below) as an affront on the dignity and fundamental constitutionally
guaranteed rights of teachers in this country. The question which
must be answered is who determines what is "culturally decent"
or not as far as dressing is concerned. The way one dresses is his/her
choice and that must not be determined by some perverts somewhere.
It is mind boggling that a Ministry of
Education Sport and Culture in Zimbabwe of 2002, which has been
bashing whites and everything European and changing school names
to indigenous ones would then "ban" the wearing of dreadlocks
by its employees. Whose culture are we talking about here? This
is indeed a shame. Are we saying people who do not wear dreadlocks
are good role models? We were of the opinion that people, particularly
those at Ambassador House, are aware that you do not judge a book
by its cover and if anything this must be one of the values we teach
our children. The unfortunate situation here is that we are confusing
our children for they do not know which way to go. Section 23 of
the Zimbabwean constitution is very clear on this one and once again
we will challenge this directive in the courts if need be.
This circular once more proves that the
people at the helm of this Ministry do not even have a clue as to
the major challenges facing them like the issue of low morale amongst
teachers because of poor remuneration. They are concentrating on
minor issues in order to divert attention from real issues. It was
same uniforms for all school children and now a dress code for teachers
.They are indeed small minds in big offices. Once again we urge
the President to fire Chigwedere and company before it is too late
but maybe this is what amadodha sibili do.
Policy Circular No. 76 of 2002:
Dress Code
Ministry of Education,
Sport and Culture Standard of Dress
The Public Service General Letter No.
16 of 1980 directed that the following standards of dress must
be maintained by public servants during the normal course of their
duties in order to maintain the dignity and formality expected
of them.
It will therefore be the responsibility
of heads of Divisions, Regional Offices, District Offices and
Schools to ensure adherence to these standards.
Winter Dress: Men
During the winter months, from May to August inclusive, dress
must include collar and tie. There is no objection to the wearing
of tailored safari suits with slacks, with the alternative dress
suits or sports jackets (or blazers) and slacks.
Summer Dress: Men
During the summer months, from September to April inclusive, tailored
safari suits with slacks may be worn without collar and tie. Safari
suits with shorts may only be worn at the discretion of head office
by junior staff who are not in regular contact with the public.
If suits or sports jackets and slacks are worn, then collar and
tie must also be worn.
Formal Occasions: Men
On formal occasions, to which staff are invited as representatives
of their ministries, suits with collar and ties will be worn.
Exceptions: At the discretion
of head of office, normal standards of dress may be departed from
when public servants are working in rural areas or when the duties
they are performing require different considerations.
Women:
Due to the complexity of women's fashions, it is not possible
to set down rigid rules, but a correspondingly high standard of
dress is expected of women public servants. In general, women
must at all times wear decent clothing, avoiding any dressing
which may attract disapproval from the communities they serve.
Such disapproval may be in the response to any of the following:
- slacks
- tight fitting dress
- dressing with slits and
- dressing that conflicts with cultural
norms and values
Uniformed Staff:
Uniformed Staff must wear the full prescribed uniform. A mixture
of uniform and non-uniform items is not acceptable.
Dreadlocks:
The wearing of dreadlocks is not acceptable within the Ministry.
This provokes an outcry from communities which need role models.
Accordingly, the provisions of this
policy circular must be brought to the attention of all members
in the Ministry.
D T K Tsodzo
Secretary for Education, Sport
and Culture
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