Caption: Fyzabad Secondary School rules for hair styles

By Alicia Chamely

GUIDELINES laid out in the National School Code of Conduct, which encompasses the National School Hair Code, must be respectful of students’ dignity and never deny a child access to learning.

Seeking to clarify the Ministry of Education’s position on hair styles in school, the Ministry put out a statement on Tuesday via social media amid renewed public discourse on perceived discriminatory practices targeting certain hair types and styles.

The Ministry of Education issued a clarification Thursday regarding policies on student hairstyles and grooming after a controversy over rules at Fyzabad Secondary School for female students. Parents and students described the rules as discriminatory, arguing they unfairly target cultural and hair-texture choices. The dispute followed the online circulation of a school document detailing acceptable and unacceptable hairstyles for female students.

The National School of Conduct, explained the ministry, provided a framework for schools to establish guidelines on uniform and grooming to “support order, safety, and discipline.”

The ministry stated, “It does not prescribe or prohibit specific hairstyles. Instead, it requires that any school-level guidelines on grooming and appearance be reasonable, non-discriminatory, respectful of students’ dignity, and consistent with the best interest of the child.”

Adding to this, the Ministry stated guidelines were meant to respect cultural identity and expression and not to promote exclusion or deny a student access to learning.

Chiming in on the conversation, Ministry of Education Dr Michael Dowlath said, “Our approach is clear: schools may set grooming guidelines, but they must be reasonable, respectful, and never deny a child their right to education.”

Mirroring Dowlath, the Ministry stated, “The Ministry emphasises that students should not be excluded from school, instruction, or school activities solely based on hairstyle or grooming concerns.”

The Ministry committed to work with and provide guidance to schools to ensure grooming guidelines were aligned with the National School Code of Conduct.

In 2023, the Ministry of Education amended the National School Code of Conduct to include a National School Hair Code. The National School Hair Code was implemented for the academic year 2023/24 and developed after consultations with various education stakeholders, including the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA), the Denominational Board and the National Parent Teachers Association (NPTA).

While the National School Hair Code allowed various hairstyles including locs, afros, hair extensions and braids, critics argued the Code was not consistent as schools were then permitted to create their own hair codes, which differed from the National School Code.

Another issue had been using infractions of the Hair Code to exclude students from school events such as graduations and in some cases, the classroom.

Guideline set forth by the National School Hair Code were:

• Students shall maintain neat and clean hair at all times.
• Hair that crosses shoulder length should be tied back at all times for safety reasons.
• Locs, twists, plaits, afros, cornrows, shall be allowed for all students, in compliance with individual School Hair Rules
• Female students shall be allowed to wear hair extensions, including weaves and braids, in compliance with individual School Hair Rules.
• Wigs and dyed or coloured hair for students are not allowed. In exceptional cases as determined by the School Principal, approval may be granted to students.
• Hairstyles that obstruct the normal view of others are not allowed, except for religious reasons.
• Eyebrow markings and eyelash extensions are not allowed.
• Haircut parting designs should be simple. Intricate designs are not allowed.
• Hair ornaments should be in compliance with individual School Hair Rules.