Union, parent body disagree on school grooming policy review

A planned review of Barbados’ school grooming policy has divided educators and parents, with one side linking relaxed rules to rising indiscipline while the other has championed the policy as a progressive step towards cultural self-expression. The island’s largest teachers’ union is backing the review, arguing that indiscipline among students has escalated since the policy’s introduction in 2023. However, a vocal contingent of parents insists that the policy should remain unchanged, as it ensures students appear tidy without reinforcing colonial-era standards.

The grooming policy, which grants students greater latitude in hairstyles and self-expression, has ignited heated public debate. The issue reached a tipping point on Wednesday when it was announced that the policy would be re-examined in response to growing public concerns over the hairstyles of some students. On Thursday, Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) President Rudy Lovell said many teachers supported a review of the policy, contending that it has directly contributed to the rise in deviant behaviour in schools.



“We highlighted concerns about the national policy and the need for a review. There has been an increase in indiscipline and issues of deportment since the policy came into effect,” Lovell said, noting that inappropriate hairstyles remain a major point of contention. You Might Be Interested In Crystal Beckles-Holder, 2nd runner up in regional competition GUYANA: Body of child found after gold mine collapses Barbadians asked to help with return tickets for Haitians While the primary concerns are within secondary schools, the BUT head acknowledged that similar issues have been reported in some primary institutions.

He revealed that Ministry of Education officials met with the union last month to discuss possible amendments to the policy. Parent advocate Paula-Anne Moore, spokesperson for the Group of Concerned Parents of Barbados, strongly defended the policy, arguing that it represents a progressive shift towards cultural self-acceptance. “The current policy seeks to strike a balance between tidiness, discipline, and self-expression while allowing children to celebrate Afro-centric hairstyles,” Moore said.

“In a society still grappling with the legacy of colonial beauty standards, we should be fostering self-worth and confidence in our children.” Spokesperson for the Group of Concerned Parents of Barbados, Paula-Anne Moore. (FP) She dismissed claims that hairstyles and deportment alone are responsible for rising indiscipline, contending that broader systemic issues should be the priority.

“These are children. We should be encouraging age-appropriate self-expression, critical thinking, and confidence,” Moore added. “If students in the UK and US can wear diverse hairstyles without compromising their education, why should it be different in Barbados?” While Moore acknowledged the importance of discipline and deportment, she challenged the Ministry on its prioritisation of the grooming policy over more pressing concerns affecting the education sector.

“So much energy is spent debating school grooming, yet we don’t see the same urgency applied to literacy and numeracy deficiencies, school violence, teacher absenteeism, and resource shortages,” she argued. Beyond grooming concerns, Lovell raised another growing issue: the disruptive use of mobile phones in classrooms. “Mobile phones are causing a lot of problems in classrooms,” Lovell said.

“We need a clear policy to guide their use as they are becoming increasingly problematic.” He highlighted that disruptions linked to mobile phones include theft, recording incidents for social media, and general distraction from lessons. sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.

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