Ministry of Education wants no discrimination based on students’ hair

The Ministry of Education has issued a circular cautioning schools not to
discriminate against students on the issue of their hair.
Director of Education Clare Browne says it is important to reaffirm the ministry’s
position on the matter as schools prepare to reopen on Monday, for the start of the
2023-2024 Academic Year.
He explains that the schools are responsible for setting guidelines regarding
cleanliness and tidiness of the person, general deportment, and attire. However, he
said schools should be mindful that as they establish these rules they should ensure
that they are not discriminating based on the natural texture of hair.
He recalled that in the past some principals had established what was said to be
‘the pencil rule’ where if a pencil doesn’t fall when placed into the hair this often
led to disciplinary action for the student.
According to the Director, the hair should be clean, it should not be a health risk
for the student or others and it should not have any colouring. “The hair should not
be a distraction in the classroom,” he declared.
Additionally, Browne wants schools to refrain from developing rules that mention
an exact hair length.