In a bid to confront the longstanding issue of hair discrimination within schools, the Ministry of Education recently released a set of revised guidelines aimed at fostering inclusivity and challenging the unfair targeting of students based on their hair texture, style, or cultural practices.
But while this initiative may appear to be a significant step towards rectifying the problem, it has unveiled a deeper-rooted concern – the prevalent issue of hair discrimination in educational institutions.
As of September, a national school hair code is to come into effect.
This change was triggered after a group of boys at Trinity College, Moka were excluded from their graduation ceremony because of their cornrow hairstyles. In response to public criticism, the school’s administration said the boys failed to abide by the school’s hair requirements.
The new guidelines were released on July 6, after consultations hosted by the ministry with the TT Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA), the Tobago House of Assembly, Parent Teacher Association and other stakeholders.
[caption id="attachment_1025034" align="alignnone" width="918"] Trinity College, Moka, students stand outside their graduation ceremony at All Saints Church, Marli Street, Port of Spain. -[/caption]
They allow weave, braids, locs, twists, plaits, afros and cornrows, in compliance with individual school hair rules.
Wigs, obstructive hairstyles, brow marking, eyelash extensions and dyed or coloured hair are among the styles students are not allowed to wear.
In exceptional cases, as determined by the school principal, approval may be granted to students, the ministry explained in a release.
Other advocates Newsday spoke with argued that these guidelines are merely a superficial "plaster" that falls short of addressing the underlying issues.
Kambon: 'Relic of colonialism'
Shabaka Kambon, Caribbean Freedom Project director and Emancipation Support Committee member, feels it has become increasingly important to examine whether these new guidelines will successfully address the real problem, or if a more concerted effort is necessary to ensure true equality and acceptance for all students.
Speaking to Newsday on Monday, Kambon said stakeholders have to use this opportunity so that when they engage the ministry in this matter both ministers (in education ministry) will agree that TT has to do the work to move away from the colonial stereotypes regarding natural hair.
He said the issue of discrimination against natural hairstyles is not just about grooming, but about racial discrimination stemming from the colonial past.
[caption id="attachment_1025035" align="alignnone" width="677"] Shabaka Kambon, Caribbean Freedom Project director and Emancipation Support Committee member said the issue of discrimination against natural hairstyles is not just about grooming, but about racial discrimination stemming from the colonial past. -[/caption]
Kambon believes it reflects a fundamentally racist belief that African hair and hairstyles are inappropriate
