Following a recent post on social media about a schoolgirl who was sent home from the Yarrowkabra Secondary School because of her hairstyle, Minister of Education Priya Manickchand has reaffirmed that while schools in Guyana have rules regarding uniforms and attire, no child is to be sent home for their hairstyle.
“Nobody is to be sent home because of a hairstyle; parents can be asked to come in to have a discussion on it but nobody is to be sent home and we were very very clear on that,” Manickchand told the News Room on Wednesday.
Two years ago, following intensified discussions on outdated hair rules in schools, the Ministry of Education issued a memorandum stating that learners must not be sent home over perceived hairstyle breaches. Headteachers were reminded that their main priority is to ensure all learners are in school and being taught. The memorandum also warned that if a learner is deemed to have an inappropriate hairstyle, the school must invite his or her parent or guardian for a discussion regarding the perceived infraction.
“That circular has not changed,” Manickchand stated.
Further addressing the issue, the Education Minister stated that although schools have their own rules, the primary concern must be the education of the children.
“At the same time, we asked parents to be conscious of what the schools’ rules are because schools have to have rules. We haven’t gone to the place yet where we say and the country has not asked us to go there – where we say you can wear jeans and t-shirts and short pants to school,” Manickchand added.
She further noted that in light of learning loss, any breach of school rules should not result in sending children home.
“Schools have rules in Guyana. They have uniforms and they have rules surrounding different forms of attire, but we are saying that because of the learning loss, and because it is not in the interest of the children, that any breach of those rules should not see us sending children home,” the minister said.
In September 2023, Minister Manickchand made it clear that any person who sends a child home from school because of their hairstyle will face disciplinary action.
