New Brunswick's School District 8 has decided its teachers need to start dressing a little better when they go to class.

A new dress code policy recently came into effect for the schools in the southern New Brunswick district where staff are banned from wearing T-shirts, shorts, sports sandals and blue jeans while at work — even on casual days.

"It was becoming more and more difficult especially at the high school level to distinguish between teachers and students," said Supt. Susan Tipper.

The district felt it was best to eliminate jeans for teachers' attire because they are so commonly worn by students, Tipper said.

"Blue jeans — they're basically very casual," she said. "A lot of jeans today are extremely low-rise jeans."

Teachers who dress more professionally get more respect from the students, Tipper said.

The new policy was established after principals raised concerns about inappropriate wardrobes being worn by some teachers, Tipper said.

School District 6, which serves schools in the Rothesay and Quispamsis area, has also drafted a new dress code, said spokesman Gary Hall.

Jeans, however, will still be allowed during charity casual days, Hall said.

In District 8, though, it will be left to the principal's discretion if certain types of clothes will be appropriate for dress-down days, Tipper said.

Some teachers told CBC News the jeans ban means casual days will now only be casual in name alone.