UP governor mandates uniform for students in all state colleges, universities

The implementation of a dress code would effectively address such situations and ensure that all students can study in an equal environment.He said the Yogi governments objective is not only to improve academic quality but also to create a positive, disciplined and value-based atmosphere in educational institutions.

Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel on Thursday mandated uniforms for all universities and colleges in the state.

Patel, the chancellor of all state universities, issued the direction on Wednesday at a meeting in Jan Bhavan. However, no official order has been issued yet in this regard.

Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna welcomed the move, saying, ''Discipline measures being implemented by her in universities are in the interest of students.''.

According to a statement, the governor also issued strict instructions to teachers, saying no teacher should indulge in any act that harms the dignity and stature of the profession. She stressed the need for the holistic development of students and directed teachers to take classes on time and ensure the regular attendance of students.

Patel emphasised improving the condition of women's hostels and ensuring they stay away from anti-social influences.

Patel said vocational and skill-oriented courses should be introduced to make women students self-reliant and employable, and suggested courses related to beautician training, mehendi art, GST, bindi manufacturing, accountancy and millet-based food preparation.

Emphasising effective implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP), Patel directed institutions to give students freedom in subject selection and focus on multidisciplinary and multi-task learning.

She said students should also acquire knowledge of yoga, painting and other skills besides their core subjects to improve employability.

In colleges facing a shortage of teachers, Patel called for online teaching arrangements and cooperation from other institutions. She also asked the authorities to fill vacant posts at the earliest and conduct regular training programmes for teachers.

The governor ordered immediate availability of clean drinking water in anganwadi centres, primary schools, PHCs, CHCs, health centres and colleges wherever such problems exist.

Patel suggested adopting a Gujarat-like public-private partnership model to improve infrastructure.

According to the statement, she said that under the Gyan Bharatam Abhiyan, manuscripts, bhojpatras and rare books are being digitised and preserved, with Sampurnanand Sanskrit University designated as the nodal institution for the initiative.

She also instructed all colleges to maximise the use of 'INFLIBNET' and the 'One Nation One Subscription' scheme to improve students' access to national and international books, research papers and academic material.

She also called for the implementation of a 'Village Scientist Programme' in rural areas to promote scientific thinking, innovation and technological awareness among rural youth and students.

The governor additionally directed all teachers to publish at least two book chapters or research papers annually to strengthen the research and academic writing culture in higher education institutions.

In a statement, UP Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyay said that as per the directions of Governor Anandiben Patel, compliance with the dress code will be made mandatory in all universities and colleges across the state.

He said that as far as possible, a uniform dress code would be implemented in every educational institution to promote a sense of equality and discipline among students.

Minister Upadhyay said that the student community is a homogeneous group where no form of discrimination or social hierarchy should be visible.

He said that social and economic inequalities are often reflected through clothing, which can create feelings of inferiority among some students and superiority among others. The implementation of a dress code would effectively address such situations and ensure that all students can study in an equal environment.

He said the Yogi government's objective is not only to improve academic quality but also to create a positive, disciplined and value-based atmosphere in educational institutions. The dress code, he said, would not only symbolise discipline but also strengthen the spirit of social harmony and equal opportunity.

Upadhyay added that the state government is continuously taking reform-oriented steps to provide modern and disciplined academic environments in higher educational institutions.