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An Alliance High student has petitioned Parliament to lift the ban on dreadlocks in schools, citing concerns over student unrest and fairness in grooming rules.
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Parliament’s Education Committee has acknowledged the petition and plans nationwide consultations on school policies and student unrest.
By Frank Mugwe
A student at Alliance High School has petitioned Parliament to lift the ban on dreadlocks in schools, arguing that the move could help address the persistent unrest witnessed in secondary schools, among other benefits.
The student, whose identity has been withheld because he is a minor, said resolving the issue would help ensure uniformity in the school’s dress code.
“The petitioner seeks the help of the Education Committee to issue an order to remove the mandatory shaving of hair in the name of neatness,” reads the petition.
“My request to Parliament is to issue a directive to the Ministry of Education to abolish mandatory shaving,” wrote the student.
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Committee Chairperson and Tinderet MP Julius Melly said the petition reflects wider concerns about children’s rights, particularly the safety, welfare, and protection of learners in schools, issues that the country is currently facing.
“These are children’s rights that we are dealing with. As we become a more laissez-faire society, we will see more of these issues,” said Melly.
The committee plans to conduct nationwide visits to schools and engage with various education stakeholders as it begins its inquiry into student unrest.
“We will not meet various stakeholders, not only to hear their side of the story, but also to find the solution,” Melly stated.
The MP noted that several taskforces have previously prepared reports on the matter and said part of the inquiry will involve seeking updates from the Ministry of Education on the extent to which the recommendations have been implemented.
The committee is set to hold meetings with the Education Cabinet Secretary, Julius Ogamba and the Inspector of Police, Douglas Kanja, who are scheduled to appear before the committee on Tuesday.
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