Priya Manickchand, the Guyana minister of education, recently issued a warning to schools not to expel children over their hairdo, adding that offenders will face disciplinary action.
The minister took to her Facebook account, “I was clear enough in writing. Children are not to be sent home for any breach or perceived breach of any school’s hairstyle rule. And any person so doing (sending children home) will face disciplinary proceedings.”
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She further added, “The Minister and Ministry have been clear on this issue: children are not to be sent home because of any breach or perceived breach of any hairstyle rule. Schools are reminded.”
The declarations come in response to a social media post that claimed a student from South Ruimveldt Secondary School had been expelled over her haircut.
The Ministry of Education released a document in January indicating that students should not be dismissed for alleged hairdo infractions. School principals were reminded that their top duty is making sure all students attend class and are receiving instruction in order to prevent future learning loss.
The notification further said that if a student’s hair was deemed inappropriate, the school was expected to get in touch with the student’s parent or guardian to clarify the alleged infraction.
The message also said that if a student’s hair was thought to be unsuitable, the school was required to contact the student’s guardian or parent to clarify the supposed infringement.
According to the Ministry of Education, the regulations governing hairstyles in schools were developed by the individual institutions rather than the ministry.
