New dress standards for Western Australian teachers

12/3/04
All teachers in Western Australia's Government schools will be required to adopt appropriate professional dress standards, following an announcement today by Education and Training Minister Alan Carpenter.
Mr Carpenter said it was the responsibility of principals and teachers to ensure they projected a professional image of themselves and their school.
"We need to improve the corporate image of public education in WA Government schools," he said.
"To do that we must continue to raise the standards of presentation, accountability, behaviour, discipline and academic performance."
The Minister said the majority of teachers in Government schools already dressed well, with some schools choosing to adopt a staff uniform.
Mr Carpenter said his announcement today was targeting the minority of scruffy, unkempt and inappropriately dressed teachers who set poor examples for their students and brought down the public image of their school.
"It's the simple things about the way a school presents itself that people make their judgements on," he said.
"Teachers who dress badly or inappropriately are doing other school teachers and the public education system a great disservice."
Mr Carpenter said the Department of Education and Training's Staff Conduct booklet, which included information on appropriate dress standards, had been sent to schools last week.
"The booklet advises staff that they should be attired neatly, cleanly and appropriately as their work demands," he said.
"In my view, the words 'neatly, cleanly and appropriately' rule out the wearing of clothes such as ripped jeans, midriff or singlet tops, thongs, and items that are unkempt and untidy.
"What is appropriate is clothing such as smart shirts, skirts, ties, trousers, dress shorts and suits."
The Minister said it was important that teachers didn't wear clothes that were unsuitable for their role.
"You wouldn't have a physical education teacher wearing a suit and tie or a teacher in the State's North-West wearing long pants in hot weather," he said.
"Schools need to take a commonsense approach and look at dress standards in context of their role and surroundings."
Mr Carpenter said he hoped principals would consult with their staff on the standards of dress that would most reflect the professional image they should present.
Minister's office: 9213 6800