Jambi – The Jambi provincial administration has decided to ban female students from wearing short skirts that reach above the knee, Governor Hasan Basri Agus said.

"The circular will be distributed soon," said Hasan, adding that he would ask the head of the provincial education agency to gather all the heads of regency and municipal education agencies across the province to reach an agreement on the matter. The rule is expected to come into operation in 2012.

Hasan said that while short skirts were not comfortable to look at, long skirts were. The policy, he said, was to maintain and protect decent values. "Female students look more elegant in long skirts," he said.

Separately, provincial education agency head Idham Kholid said that the policy would be applied to all female students of junior and senior high schools across Jambi. "We encourage them to wear long skirts down to the ankle," he said.

The policy received a warm welcome from parents, who believed that it would help prevent their daughters from crimes and other acts of juvenile delinquency. "Short skirts are often accidentally opened, inviting others to commit crimes, especially on public transport," said Marniati, a local resident.