New Dress Code for Burmese Students

July 29, 2004—University students in Burma, long accustomed to political restrictions under their military government, are chafing under a new burden: a dress code.

Educational authorities recently introduced new rules calling for students to wear uniforms on campus, although no public explanation was offered for the move.

The uniforms are variations on traditional Burmese outfits, using a longyi, a type of sarong.

“We were told by our lecturers that by August 16, we must wear only a Myanmar [Burmese] longyi with a Myanmar traditional jacket, and boys will have to wear white shirts and Myanmar longyis,” a 21-year-old student of the foreign language institute said this week.

Like most people in Burma who speak to the press, she asked not to be named.

Those not wearing the prescribed garb are barred from entering their campuses.

“This is violation of our rights,” said a 22-year old computer science student. “We are grown-ups attending universities and colleges and we have the right to wear what we choose.”

Most people in devoutly Buddhist Burma, including students, have conservative social attitudes and dress accordingly.

But more liberal Western influences, brought in through tourists and trade, have become apparent in recent years, especially in the capital Rangoon.

Some universities have introduced uniforms of a specific design and color, to be worn three days a week.

Other universities only tell their students to wear a traditional longyi, while banning T-shirts and jeans, and tank-tops and skirts for women.

“Many universities abroad have their own uniforms to show their respective identities, so it’s no big deal for me,” said another computer science student. “I can wear it with no complaint.”

But a 24-year old engineering student said he didn’t like wearing a uniform “because authorities can easily identify us if there is any student protest.”

A lecturer at a university in eastern Rangoon said more than 90 percent of students are now wearing traditional longyis.

“I am happy to see Myanmar students wearing traditional dress,” she said. “They look smarter.”