WHEN I was in service with the Education Ministry, schools and colleges made it mandatory for male teachers and lecturers to wear the tie irrespective of the blistering and scorching heat.
Even male school children in primary and secondary schools are made to wear the tie.
The tie is part of the standard wear that male officers and teachers have to adorn to set the benchmark of being smart, elegant and exemplary.
The tie looks good on the person if the person wearing it is feeling good inside.
But wearing a tie these days with temperatures set to soar up to 38 degrees Celsius in oven-like temperatures can really “burn” a person inside out.
It is impractical to wear the tie with a long sleeved shirt on a hot afternoon and teaching in a classroom with zinc roofing with fans barely working.
How can a teacher teach effectively when he is hot and stuffy inside and sweating profusely from the blistering heat?
The only solace for the teacher will be in the school staff room or the school office, which is usually air-conditioned.
If we are in a temperate country where the temperature is cool, it would be sensible and practical to wear the tie to keep us warm and cosy.
Most schools have air-conditioning units that are placed at strategic places like the head teacher’s room, the teachers’ staff room and the school library.
The classrooms, on the other hand, do not have air-conditioning units and are therefore hot and unbearable in the morning and hot afternoons.
The rickety fans do not give much ventilation and classrooms with zinc roofs can be very hot.
How is the teacher expected to teach in the sweltering heat made worse with the tie and long sleeve dress code?
Teachers and officers should dress appropriately for the weather.
At a time when we are trying to conserve energy, we should be practical and moderate in our dress code in our work places because the moment we leave the cool air-conditioned room we are faced with the heat.
A short sleeved shirt tucked in for male teachers and officers is appropriate, smart, elegant and most suited for our weather.
School children should also be exempted from wearing the school tie.
SAMUEL YESUIAH
Seremban
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Innovation