The head of the group that represents principals and vice-principals of public schools says the proposed dress and grooming policy for students must be aligned with the existing code of regulations for it to be effective in eliminating ambiguities and uncertainties.

“My thing and our thing is that for the policy to have any kind of teeth, it also has to be congruent with the kind of code of regulations and as long as you say that boards of management have the discretion to formulate the rule even when you have a policy that is not back by regulations you will have some issues. In my mind when such a policy comes out there ought not to be any disagreement between parents and schools and boards and ministry.” president of the Jamaica Association of Secondary School Principals, Linvern Wright.

Wright is calling for the education ministry to be clear about the non-negotiable and negotiable guidelines for schools within the policy.

“I think that those things within it that we consider to be basic to cultural regard, so Afrocentric modes of dress that we figure we need to ingrain within our regulatory system, I think that needs to be backed by regulation so there should not be any discretion about those things that are Afrocentric. The others then we may decide as a school based on its history and culture,” he said.

The education ministry put forward a draft student dress and grooming policy two years ago for it to be reviewed by school administrators, school boards, teachers, and parents.

The development of the policy became necessary after several clashes between school administrators and parents over hairstyles and attire worn by students, resulting in some being barred from entering school grounds or sitting examinations.

“My view and the view of colleagues is that those things that you say are ingrained let us be clear about them, those things that are non-negotiable let us also be clear about them. Those things that are discretionary we should be clear about them, and the public should be clear about them, however, you feel about them. Let be clear so that we have no waste of time discussions about these things every year when something comes out or a principal takes a decision, it is really counter-productive,” Wright added.

The Student Dress and Grooming Policy is intended to provide a framework for all public education institutions to develop their own student dress and grooming policy to fit their local situation, while still promoting good societal values without violating individual rights and laws.