A growing public outcry over students’ appearance in schools has prompted the Ministry of Education to revisit its grooming policy, while the minister overseeing educational transformation said he is seeking to balance cultural identity, discipline and societal expectations in Barbados.
“We need to settle on a middle ground that is fair and reflective of Barbadian identity,” said Minister of Educational Transformation Senator Chad Blackman. “We will not lose ourselves or our natural styles and flair, but we must establish a standard that we can all agree upon.”
The review, announced by Chief Education Officer Dr Ramona Archer-Bradshaw, is to include further consultations to address concerns while maintaining a policy that respects students’ identity.
Dr Archer-Bradshaw explained that the grooming policy was last revised two years ago, following the COVID-19 pandemic, when many students, particularly boys, grew their hair out.
“We needed to reassess the policy to ensure that students still had a sense of identity,” she said on Wednesday. “During that period, some students, particularly Rastafarians, had previously been exempt from certain restrictions. Others had their hair plaited in cornrows, and we wanted to ensure that no child was discriminated against based on their natural hair.”
The updated policy permitted boys to grow their hair long and outlined that all students should maintain a neat and tidy appearance. Recent complaints from members of the public have prompted the ministry to re-evaluate the policy.
Dr Archer-Bradshaw acknowledged the growing dissatisfaction among some people and stressed the importance of understanding the root of the concerns.
“We need to fully understand whether this pushback is linked to colonial ideas of grooming, whether people struggle to appreciate black hair, or if the issue is simply a difference in interpretation of what ‘neat and tidy’ means,” she said.
To address these concerns, the ministry is to meet with parents, teachers and students to determine how best to move forward.
Senator Blackman highlighted what he described as historical biases that have shaped grooming expectations in schools.
“A lot of our grooming and deportment policies are grounded in a colonial framework,” he stressed. “For too long, neatness has been equated with European standards. But we should not penalise what is naturally given to us—our hair, our identity, our culture.”
Despite the need for revision, Senator Blackman also underscored the responsibility of parents in ensuring their children present themselves appropriately for school. “If you’re sending your child to school, to the supermarket, or anywhere in public, you have a duty to ensure that they are tidy and fit for purpose. That does not mean they must cut their hair, but it also does not mean they can roll out of bed and step into the classroom.”
The minister made clear that while students have the freedom to express their cultural identity, school is not a fashion show.
“This is not about reverting to the past, but it cannot be a free-for-all either. Students must have the liberty to be themselves, but school is a place for learning and discipline, not the catwalk,” he said.
He also pointed out that grooming standards extend beyond hair and urged students to maintain overall cleanliness and deportment: “We focus a lot on hair, but let’s not forget the bigger picture. Shirts must be tucked in, shoes polished, and students must carry themselves with pride.”
sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb
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