Tajik State Pedagogical University chief Abdujabbor Rahmonov is apparently really interested in fashion.
The rector of Tajikistan’s teachers training school has laid some ground rules for female students – they must all wear high heels, which are not to exceed four inches.
And while the heels might add a little lift in style, the kind of clothing they’re allowed to wear must remain uniformly single-coloured.
The rules come as Ramonov seeks to cultivate a more “polished image” for students, according to Emma Sabzalieva, a researcher into high school education in Central Asia. Sabzalieva posted the story on her blog after it first appeared in Tajikistan’s “only vocal” newspaper Asia-Plus.
According to the report in Asia-Plus, this isn’t the first time Ramnovov has dabbled in fashion. Back in 2007 as the then Minister of Education, he introduced a dress code that saw male teachers banned from growing beards, and mandated that they all wear suits and ties to class. He also banned hijabs in public schools, and women from wearing mini skirts.
Sabzalieva reports that overall the public reaction to the news on Asia-Plus‘ Facebook page has been of “outrage, disbelief”.
One commentator wrote: “Where is Tajikistan and its government heading? Rather than starting with high heels … it would be better to strengthen teaching, stop bribe-taking and simply give students the chance to study.”
The university initially denied reports of the dress code. However Asia-Plus journalist Marhabo Hokim, who was sent to investigate the story, claims to have observed female students being inspected by guards at the school gates for “face control” in the morning.
Rahmonov later had Hokim summoned by police after he ordered a probe into the “incorrect and illegal actions of the journalist”.