WHEN it comes to skirts, how short is short?

These are some of the technicalities that are not spelled out when it comes to female teachers' dressing in school.

Teachers my paper spoke to said that there is no specific dress code for educators.

There is, however, an understanding that a teacher must dress decently. This is especially so for female teachers.

Last week, we reported that two students at a boys' school were caught taking upskirt photos of their teacher.

Some readers then suggested that female teachers should not wear skirts.

The school's principal said that she did not tell her teachers to stop wearing skirts as it would give the wrong impression that they are at fault.

Schools generally advise female staff not to wear tops that expose their midriff or cleavage.

Skirts should be of a respectable length. Mini-skirts are a no-no.

Said Ms Jeanie Lee, a primary school teacher in her late 20s: "The specifics in the dress code vary from school to school.

"For some schools, the principals may insist that female teachers dress conservatively. Some male teachers also have to wear long-sleeved shirts."

Reader Nelson Quah feels that it is good to have a clear dress code - one that spells out exactly what teachers can wear.

The marketing manager, in his 50s, said: "I'm sure teachers have been advised by their schools to dress modestly, but I see no harm in having a dress code to reinforce the point."

Engineer Joan Tan, 28, feels that it is "silly to request teachers to stop wearing skirts".

She said: "Mothers also wear skirts at home. Isn't it more important to instil the right values in our children?"