A child in Montserrat has been told he may not be allowed to continue to attend primary school if his hair is not cut – sparking outrage from numerous residents.
A letter from Director of Education Gregory Julius, handed to the pupil on 15 April, said hair on boys must be less than 3/4 inches long.
Undercuts, mohawks, high-tops and fades are not permitted, and a bald head is not allowed unless it is a “natural occurrence”, it read.
The education director added that the hair of “registered Rastafarian students” must be completely covered with a stocking cap or other head covering.
“It is your duty as a parent to ensure that there is adherence to the rules. Your child will not be accepted in school until the school rule is adhered to,” he wrote.
In his letter, titled ‘Government Primary Schools Rules and Code Of Conduct’, Julius said every institution has rules and codes of conduct that govern them.
The education director, who is also principal at Brades Primary School, insisted the rule was shared with the child’s parent and class teachers discussed it with the child.
‘Totally wrong’
Numerous residents have protested against the contents of the letter, which a Montserrat resident posted on Facebook the same day.
One wrote: “Withholding education from children because their race, creed or colour is totally wrong.”
Another suggested that braids or locks that are clean and neatly groomed should never be a problem preventing a child from being educated.
A third said: “Please let us try our best to sort the education problems that we are facing, and focus on what is most important, for the children and for everyone, which is education.”
Another commenter described it as a “stupid school rule”, adding “It’s always us black people afraid of the hair growing from our heads… Cutting his hair means nothing to his learning.”
“When is this island going to get with the programme,” one person wrote. “If you request the [child’s] hair be neatly braided is understandable but telling a parent to cut their child’s hair [is] crazy.”
Before the start of the summer term, the Ministry of Education had written to parents warning them of the policy on hair grooming which, it said, contributes to “discipline and professionalism” in schools.
The letter went on to say that all male students with plaited hair must return to school with their hair cut and neatly trimmed.
“Failure to comply with this requirement will result in students being sent home to rectify their hair before being allowed to return to school,” the letter said.
