Kaohsiung teachers say new dress code rules `unacceptable'

Local teachers protested yesterday a suggestion by Kaohsiung County Commissioner Yu Cheng-hsien (余政憲) that two high-school teachers be punished for wearing shorts in class.

Yu paid a visit to Zi Guan Middle School (梓官國中) -- located in Kaohsiung's Zi Guan township -- on Thursday after receiving complaints from the school principal, Huang Che-yuan (黃哲元), and several parents.

During his visit, Yu advised the two teachers not to wear shorts and sandals to work.

According to Yu, the two teachers, both surnamed Wu (吳), like to dress casually on campus and this might set a bad example for their students.

"Teachers' words and actions may influence their students significantly," Yu said. "At least, they should dress neatly and gracefully on campus."

If the two teachers continue to wear shorts and sandals on campus, they should be handed over to the evaluation and discipline committee of the county's Bureau of Education, he said.

Yesterday the two teachers said that Yu's comment was absolutely unacceptable, as teachers' dress should not be regulated by the county government.

Liu Ya-ping (劉亞平), chairman of the county's teachers association, also expressed support for the teachers yesterday. According to Liu, the school authorities were actually taking revenge on the teachers for reporting the principal to the county government for hiring disqualified teachers.

In related news, the China Development Industrial Bank (中華開發) yesterday announced it was lifting a ban against female employees who wear pants to work.