GREAT BAY--Member of Parliament Christopher Wever said he will seek a review of government subsidies provided to school boards that continue to enforce policies he considers discriminatory toward students, including restrictions on natural hair and certain hairstyles.
Wever said he has received concerns from parents ahead of the new school year after some schools reportedly warned that existing hair rules would be strictly enforced. According to the MP, concerns now extend beyond locks and other natural hairstyles, with some female students allegedly being told that very low haircuts are not permitted.
He said he has discussed the matter with the Minister of Education in relation to the draft Supervision of Education Ordinance, which is expected to include provisions addressing school hair policies. Wever said he understands that the legislation is expected to reach Parliament this year.
The MP expressed concern that some school boards may refuse to adjust their policies until the ordinance has been formally adopted.
“I understand that the Catholic schools in particular will not implement any hair policy until the legislation is passed by Parliament,” Wever said. “However, school board subsidies were indexed and increased before the full legal basis was in place, and those increases were accepted. School boards cannot pick and choose when they are prepared to act depending on whether a decision benefits them.”
Wever said government-subsidized schools have a responsibility to ensure that their internal rules do not unfairly target students because of their hair texture, hairstyle, cultural background or personal expression.
“If schools want to go that route and refuse to follow what is coming, which is intended to prevent discrimination against our youth, then I will have to review the matter with government and determine whether their subsidies should be reduced,” he said.
“How can government continue to subsidize schools that are actively participating in discriminatory practices toward our young people? If school boards decide to take that route, then Parliament and government also have the authority to examine the level of public funding they receive.”
Wever also questioned arguments that restrictive hair policies are based on religious principles. He noted that religious educational institutions elsewhere in the Caribbean and internationally permit students to wear locks and other hairstyles.
“When you look at religious Caribbean educational institutions across the region and in other parts of the world, students are allowed to wear locks and other hairstyles,” he said. “Religious beliefs are clearly not being applied consistently if schools continue to use that as the justification.”
The MP said parents should not have to begin a new school year uncertain about whether their children will be denied access to education, disciplined or treated differently because of their appearance.
“I know parents are concerned with the new school year approaching,” Wever said. “We will be keeping a keen eye on any form of discrimination, especially in schools that receive subsidies or other support from government.”
Wever said he intends to continue raising the issue with the Minister of Education and will closely follow the progress of the draft legislation when it is submitted to Parliament.
