Social media users criticized the Federal Directorate of Education's new dress code which bars female teachers from wearing jeans and tights and their male counterparts from wearing jeans and T-shirts.

According to a notification issued on Monday, the department asked the relevant officers to assure the implementation of the dress code.

However, the teachers who observed hijab were allowed to wear scarves.

The notification further said the women teachers could wear sandals and sneakers, but they were barred from wearing slippers.

The new dress code by the department allows male teachers to wear sweater and coat, but barred them from wearing warm shawls.

It added that male teachers are mandated to wear waistcoat with shalwar kameez, however the female teachers are mandated to wear teaching gown in classes and lab coats in laboratory.

Criticising the decision, a social media user tweeted that the focus is on everything else except education.

Another user tweeted that imposing restrictions on teachers for wearing T-shirts is oppression as they have to work in extremely hazardous situations in hot weather.

Slamming the decision, a social media user said: "Propriety and morality dictated by the government will have no limits."

Earlier, Bahawal Victoria Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Mohammad Younis Warraich issued an administrative order related to the dress code of women. The new order divided social media users on Twitter.