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Kerala child rights panel says boys can keep long hair, calls for inclusive rules in schools
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has confirmed that boys and children who have not affirmed a specific gender identity can maintain their hair according to their preference, directing schools not to discriminate or punish students on the basis of hair length.
The order issued by Commission member P. Shajesh Bhaskar also addresses related concerns relating to dress preference, school discipline, and hygiene and safety. The Commission directed that schools place greater emphasis on the progress and personality development of students rather than their appearance.
Kerala Child Rights Commission's Direction on Long Hair
According to the order reported today (and not on the actual date of the post), students should not be subjected to mental harassment, discrimination, removal from classes or punitive measures simply on the basis of their hair length. The Commission specifically said that boys and children who have not affirmed a specific gender identity have the right to maintain their hair and choose their dress according to their preference.
However, the ruling does not imply that students can ignore hygiene and safety requirements. The students are expected to:
- Keep their hair clean and well-maintained.
- Make sure that their hair does not cover their eyes or face.
- Secure their long hair with a hairband during laboratory activities.
- Keep their hair secured during sports competitions and practical classes.
Avoid chemicals or hair colours that could potentially be harmful to their health.
Why Did the Kerala Panel Issue the Order?
The Commission received two petitions concerning the school rules and the long hair of boys. One petition was filed by Indu Menon of Ramanattukara who alleged that boys and children who had not affirmed a specific gender identity faced discrimination in schools, with boys with long hair being treated as though they had committed an offence.
The second petition came from the principal of Sacred Heart English Medium School in Kottakkal, who approached the Commission after a Class 11 boy repeatedly refused to cut his hair and asked for guidance on how such cases should be handled.
Schools Told Not to Punish Students Over Hair
The Commission directed that school authorities should not mentally harass, discriminate against, or exclude from classes or subject boys and transgender children to punitive action over their hair length or related matters.
The direction draws attention to how school discipline is implemented. Schools have been asked not to treat a hairstyle as a disciplinary offence by default, but to consider students' rights while still maintaining legitimate safety and hygiene requirements.
Panel Seeks New Guidelines for Schools
The Commission said it had not found specific guidelines from the Kerala Education Department or CBSE dealing with hair length for boys and children who have not affirmed a specific gender identity. They therefore called for appropriate guidelines to be prepared urgently.
A large part of the recommendation is that boys and children covered by the issue should be included in the committee preparing the guidelines and their views should be considered prior to the rules being finalised. The respondents have also been asked to submit an action-taken report within 45 days.
What the Order Means for Students
The reported order makes a distinction between personal appearance and genuine school safety requirements. A student choosing to grow long hair is not a reason for punishment under the Commission's direction. At the same time, a student may be required to tie or secure long hair if their loose hair creates a safety issue during laboratory work, sports or practical classes.
This means that the Commission's position is not simply that schools must abandon appearance-related rules, but rather that they should consider clear and inclusive rules that address hygiene, safety and student rights without discriminatory punishment.
Kerala School Hair Rule: What Happens Next?
The immediate next step is the preparation of guidelines addressing hair length and related rules within schools. The Commission has asked that those students who have been affected should have a say in the process. The development is significant for schools as it could encourage them towards clearer standards on appearance which distinguish between safety-related requirements and disciplinary restrictions that are purely on the basis of a hairstyle.
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