00:00A warning to students at Fisabad Secondary School, allegedly from a top-ranking school
00:05official, saying that certain hairstyles will not be tolerated.
00:30But the uproar surrounds an image of what is being stated as part of the school's 2026 policy,
00:39inclusive of braids being no longer than 10 inches below the shoulder blades, no pineapple
00:44buns, and no buns exceeding three inches in height, with some suggesting that it targets
00:49students of African descent and their natural and traditional hairstyles.
00:54You see that fantastic tease of hairstyle that I'm seeing my phone fire right now sporting
01:01and crying. We're not doing that.
01:05Notably, the image points to numbers 53 and 54 of what is not acceptable and has been circulated
01:12in isolation without the other aspects of the policy for further context. The official told
01:17students that they should be focused on their education and that a school was an important
01:22foundation for learning discipline, without which they would struggle in life. The no-tolerance
01:27approach, she said, could involve three days of suspension.
01:30If you are not sensible enough to recognize that a school star can get you suspended, I have
01:41no problem with that. In fact, when you think of me, you can ask my phone fire. I want you
01:47to take all suspensions. A national school hair code policy circulated by the Ministry of Education
01:53in 2023 outlined having neat and clean hair at all times and allowed for locks, twists,
02:00plaits, afros, cornrows for all students, while for females it provided for hair extensions,
02:06including weaves and braids. However, it said these should be done in compliance with individual
02:12school rules. Contacted on the issue, the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association believes
02:18it is vague and leaves room for ambiguity. President of Tutor Christelle Bevinashe says,
02:24quote, disciplinary measures, particularly those that affect students' personal appearance,
02:30must be grounded in clear, fair and nationally consistent policy. The Ministry of Education's
02:36National School Hair Code lacks the clarity and specificity required to ensure uniform application
02:42across schools, end quote. He tells us that the issues further compounded due to schools being
02:49permitted in past to implement their own hair regulations, resulting in wide variations in
02:55interpretation and enforcement, leading to confusion, inconsistency and public concern. He stresses
03:01the importance of the implementation of rules that do not infringe upon students' rights, dignity or
03:07cultural expression, and such rules, he says, should not arbitrarily be enforced. In this regard,
03:14Tutor states that the responsibility to clear up the confusion lies mainly with the Education
03:18Ministry. Ashe says, quote, Tutor therefore calls on the Ministry to urgently review and clarify the
03:25national school hair code in consultation with key stakeholders to ensure that expectations are fair,
03:32consistent and respectful across all schools. Clear national guidance will support principals,
03:39protect students and reduce unnecessary conflict between schools and families, end quote.
03:45Alicia Boucher, TV6 News.
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