Chechnya introduces new dress code for schoolgirls

Schools of Chechnya introduce new rules for high grade girls. Now, as reported by parents, in addition to compulsory wearing of headscarves, they will have to wear long skirts starting from the seventh form.

"My daughter is in the seventh form; and she said that they had been warned that they should come to classes in long skirts - down to the ankles. They say there was an 'instruction from the top'. I tried to learn anything from the class teacher, but she could say nothing specific and added that now such rules would be introduced. I think it is, first of all, up to parents how to dress their children, rather than up to the Ministry of Education. They'd better think on how to improve the quality of education and equip computer classes in schools with access to the Internet," Indira K., a resident of Grozny, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

The republic's Ministry of Education and Sciences refused to give any comments to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent on parents' statements about introduction of the new dress code for Chechen schoolgirls, adding that no written orders or other documents had been issued to this effect.

"Wrapping up a child starting from the first form is already too much. I won't be surprised if in a year or two wearing hijab will be compulsory here like in Iran or other Islamic countries," said Raisa, a school teacher from Grozny.

However, many local residents treat the imposition of restrictions on clothes for schoolgirls as a correct measure.

"On my business I often go to Stavropol, Krasnodar and other places. I happen to feel uncomfortable to walk along streets in summer there. Girls walk half-naked in t-shirts and mini-shorts. 20-30 years ago it was considered vulgar and unacceptable," said Hussein S., a local resident.