ON the second day of school, my daughter was ‘detained’ at the school gate because of her neat natural African hair which is longer than an inch. After the school assembly, girls with long hair were counselled and cautioned not to to keep long hair.
ON the second day of school, my daughter was ‘detained’ at the school gate because of her neat natural African hair which is longer than an inch. After the school assembly, girls with long hair were counselled and cautioned not to to keep long hair.
Is this what schools are supposed to be doing? In this school, only African girls with natural hair are not allowed to keep their hair longer than one inch. However, pupils of other races are allowed to keep their hair long.
According to the school administration, long hair interferes with the girls’ ability to concentrate at school. They defend those with long hair and pony tails, saying: “It is their culture.â€
If all children are to have short hair, let it be, irrespective of race.
Whether they are black African, brown African, Indian or Chinese they are children. Maybe female teachers need to lead by example by maintaining short hair since they mentor our children. It is likely the children want to keep long hair because they admire their teachers. Concerned mother Kampala
Why should schools in the 21st century deny girls the right to grow long hair? This choice should be left to the family.
In the 1980s girls in boarding schools had to cut off their hair. However, this was attributed to the lack of resources to maintain long hair. Water shortages in school and the inadequate cosmetics in the market did not favour the trend. This has since changed.
Today, the act of cutting girls hair off is archaic. Girls in Kampala schools are being forced, against their will, to cut off their ‘hair. No explanation is given. Children are humiliated during school assembly and often children with long hair are randomly picked out and their hair cut off. An attempt to resist can earn one an expulsion.
Girls have been brought up to be proud of who they are, respect themselves, respect others and respect their environment. How does her natural, clean, smart and simple hair deter her from having these attributes?
It is disappointing to note that children of other races do not suffer the same fate.
It is a shame that we can show such discrimination. What message are we sending to our children?
Our world has a diverse set of people and we should respect each other’s backgrounds and rights.
The onus is on the parents to ensure their daughters have neat and clean hair. We can all agree to keep them in simple swahilis that is uniform.
Candy Kabanekera Kampala
Do you think school girls should be allowed to keep long hair? Write to education@newvision.co.ug and share your views. OR type Education (space) Your comment, then send to 8338 (Valid for Zain, Warid and utl and MTN subscribers)