Exploring Views on National School Grooming Policy: A Historical Perspective from the Ingrid Quarless Case to Today

Obviously, deportment and grooming are important in school as one element of discipline. No sensible person says otherwise. However, these are children we are talking about, and we should be encouraging age-appropriate self-expression in children: the ability to question, speak for themselves, celebrate their opinions, self-worth, and identity. This is part of training them to be effective adults. It is particularly important in a country where many of us do not appreciate how much we have absorbed Western Caucasian-centric standards of ‘beauty’. The determination of hair ‘neatness’ can be a lasting legacy of our colonial heritage. This may be a hard pill to swallow but that doesn’t make it less true.

Additionally, Barbadian culture tends to focus on conformity almost above all else—if not to its detriment. But we need to arm our children with more tools to thrive as thinking global citizens—not just survive—in this 21st century. We cannot rely on outdated models of education when our children face so many difficult challenges that few of us had to deal with as children.

I think the principles of the current school grooming policy are welcome components in trying to create globally competitive 21st-century individuals and school environments. I, therefore, support the recent comments of Minister Blackman and Chief Education Officer Archer-Bradshaw that we need to be mindful that our lasting colonial legacy might be influencing some negative comments about the current grooming policy. ‘Neat and tidy’ can be a very subjective determination.

I would agree that the Ministry of Educational Transformation can re-examine how the current grooming policy is better communicated—to students, parents, teachers, and principals—and how it is enforced. However, I think it would be a backwards step if the current grooming policy were rescinded so we revert to an era where—for example—children who are members of the Rastafarian faith are made to hide their locs under a hot heavy tam or boys have to virtually shave their heads. Such measures effectively send a strong message suggesting that we are ashamed of the hair God gave 96 per cent of Barbadians.

Some of us are giving our children too little credit for knowing how to comport themselves appropriately. Students at BCC and UWI as well as students abroad—including those in UK schools who wear uniforms—do not have our old rigid hair grooming standards; this is not considered a distraction or hindrance to their education. They learn just fine. Often they become their countries’ innovators. Most adapt to work requirements; those who don’t usually face fundamental challenges beyond how they groom their hair.

Most importantly—so much time, effort, and commentary have been devoted by the public on this school hair grooming issue. I do not see the same level of attention being given by the public to more fundamental challenges governing education or addressing poor educational outcomes that often have clear links to crime: too many children leaving school uncertified; substandard literacy and numeracy; school violence and bullying; lack of specialist remedial primary and secondary education resources; teacher absence; reliance on private lessons for academic success; environmental challenges in schools; and more.

Perhaps it is human nature to protest change from the familiar or focus on issues easier to control. These fundamental issues are far more complex and difficult for the public to address.

The school grooming policy: it’s a good thing. Communicate better; enforce better—but please do not regress or rescind it!