Government officials in Trinidad and Tobago are currently advocating for a revision of school hair codes due to the recent public outcry surrounding the denial of high school diplomas to nearly two dozen students who wore cultural hairstyles such as Afros, cornrows, and other styles during their graduation ceremonies.
Education Minister Nyan Gadsby Dolly has proposed new regulations that would allow students to wear Afros, locks, twists, plaits, and cornrows, but would prohibit wigs or dyed hair.
The Ministry of Education in Trinidad has announced that schools must establish their own hair policies by October, which will align with a forthcoming national code.
This push for relaxed hair codes comes after a private high school in Trinidad prevented 23 graduating students from walking the stage to receive their diploma because of their hairstyles. Education Minister Nyan Gadsby Dolly referred to this incident as “unfortunate and regrettable” and emphasized the need for a conversation on this issue in Trinidad and Tobago.
This is not the first incident in the Caribbean involving schools taking action against students of African descent for their hairstyles. In 2020, Jamaica’s Supreme Court ruled in favor of a primary school’s right to ban a 5-year-old student with locks from attending class, sparking public outrage. The following year, Jamaica’s Education Ministry issued a warning to schools prohibiting them from turning away students based on their hairstyles during tests.
The debate over school hair codes has also been a topic of discussion in the United States. The U.S. Army lifted its ban on locks in 2017, and in 2019, California became the first state to ban hair discrimination, including against Afros and braids. Since then, more than 20 U.S. states, including Michigan, have passed similar laws.
Prior to the meeting addressing hairstyles, Trinidad’s education minister emphasized the need for reform in the country, which has a significant population of African descent.
Trinidad’s Education Ministry has stated that schools must establish their own hair policies by October, reflecting a national code that is currently being developed. The ministry acknowledges the dynamic nature of the educational environment and the need to adjust policies to keep up with changes in societal norms, values, and beliefs.
Education Minister Nyan Gadsby Dolly has also emphasized that students should not face punishment for their hairstyles while the new code is being drafted.
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