Guyana: Grade 7 Student Advised to Cut Hair Shorter to Attend School

A parent from Guyana has expressed her concerns regarding a policy at Plaisance Secondary School that affects her son’s ability to attend classes. In a letter addressed to Minister of Education Sonia Parag, the parent described an incident where her son was informed by a teacher that he would not be allowed to return to school unless he cut his hair shorter than its current length.

The parent, Neermala Ramsaywack, stated that her son receives a haircut every two weeks and does not have an extravagant hairstyle. She reported that when she attempted to contact the school’s headmaster and teachers to discuss the matter, her calls went unanswered. Ramsaywack also mentioned that another student had recently transferred to a private school due to similar issues regarding hairstyle regulations.

Additionally, Ramsaywack highlighted a past incident where her son sustained an injury at school, resulting in the loss of his toenail. She expressed concern that the school did not provide adequate medical assistance at the time of the injury, as there was no proper first aid kit available. She criticized the school for focusing on hairstyle enforcement rather than addressing more pressing issues such as student safety and bullying.

Ramsaywack noted that there appears to be inconsistency in how hairstyle policies are enforced, as other students with longer hair have not faced similar scrutiny. She emphasized the challenges parents face in communicating with the school, citing difficulties in reaching staff and restrictions on entering the school premises.

In her letter, she called for the Ministry of Education to address these concerns, stating that the current situation is unacceptable for parents and students alike.

Source: snn.gy