Gone are the days when students were happy to be taught by a teacher who knew her subject well. But the Facebook and iPhone generation wants more. Today’s students want their teachers not only to impart knowledge, but they want them to do it in style: by focusing a little on sartorial matters.
According to a survey conducted by Delhi Public School, South, students want their teachers to be dressed ‘tastefully’. Yes, students are watching their teachers carefully.
The sample survey was conducted on 200 students in the age group of 15-17. The questions, which were open-ended, have thrown up surprising findings.
Sample this: students want teachers to wear eye makeup, smell good and avoid wearing clothes with different colour combinations. Some didn’t want teachers to come to class with chipped off nail colour. If teachers do wear nail colour, they wanted them to polish it regularly.
Taking note of the findings, as a pilot project, DPS will be conducting a session for teachers by city-based fashion designer Michelle Salins. Skin and hair experts will be roped in for quick tips. “We want teachers to know the role of dressing, especially as it builds confidence,” said Tasbia Khan, member, board of management, Delhi Public School, East.
“Along with high IQ, students are looking for a teacher who can connect with them at a personal level,” said Kavita Ghose, teacher, DPS. “Students have said that they want to see their teachers smartly dressed, with a moderate amount of makeup.”
Ghose said she was surprised to know as to how observant students were. “Students have specified that they don’t want their teachers dressing in a gaudy manner. They don’t want teachers to wear mismatched kurti, leggings and duppattas; they don’t want them to wear wrinkled clothes,” said Ghose.
Even with regard to footwear, students wanted their teachers to wear smart footwear and not casual slippers.
On the other hand, teachers, too, took a survey, with almost everyone keen on a session with a fashion expert to know about the right wardrobe.
