MANILA, Philippines — The Technological University of the Philippines (TUP) is currently under fire online after its alleged “archaic” policy on dress code went viral.
In a Facebook post, TUP’s University Student Government, citing a memorandum from its Office of Student Affairs, said that students who are wearing shorts, crop tops, sleeveless, and slippers will no longer be allowed to enter the university premises.
Male students who have long hair and colored hair for both male and female students are also not allowed in the university.
Cross-dressing, directed to students who are wearing clothes that are traditionally and stereotypically associated with their opposite gender, is likewise prohibited, it said.
According to the memorandum, graduating students are “excluded” from the “strict policy.”
TUP students and others raised questions online about the memorandum, inquiring about the benefits the school might gain from such policies. They also noted that one of the challenges to achieving equality in the Philippines is the imposition of similar rules by educational institutions.
”Huwag na tayong magtaka kung bakit ang hirap at ang tagal makamit ng LGBTQIA+ ang pantay na karapatan sa lipunan, sapagkat ganito ang pinupunla ng mga paaralan at universidad,” said Adrian Carlo De Guzman, a public school teacher, in a comment.
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has not issued a specific memorandum on dress codes, leaving individual schools to set their own rules and regulations regarding uniform policies. In contrast, the Department of Education (DepEd) outlined in its DepEd Order No. 45, series of 2008, that wearing school uniforms is not mandatory in public schools. However, public educational institutions with existing uniforms may continue to use them if they choose to do so.
The TUP OSA has yet to respond to the criticisms as of posting time.
