A local parent is highly upset, after his son received a “dicipline” letter from his school alleging that his hair was too long and furthermore that his son was “found guilty of the offence of his hair being too long as described in the schools code of conduct.”
The school, Laudium Secondary, further stated in the letter that the learner “was suspended from taking part in all sporting activities for one week.” The school also instituted detention classes for the learner. The dad of the grade 11 learner, Zubair Hussen of Agra Street West, sent a copy of the discipline letter to the Laudium Sun, and a letter which he sent to the school, in response. The parent’s, letter in response read, in part, “As a parent, I do not concur with the verdict that his hair is too long, secondly, if a hearing was held where he was found guilty, please provide minutes of the disciplinary hearing in which the following was articulated;
·The nature of the charge.
·A set of guidelines with photographs detailing the appropriate hairstyles length including specifications around the length of the hair.
·Contravention of the said specification of hair length.
·The leaners response.
·Reasoning behind decision of the committee that passed the verdict of guilty.
If the school cannot provide the aforesaid information, then I as a parent have no other choice but to ignore the notice as it is not a valid ruling and points to a subjective application of the code of conduct. To reiterate the severity of the sentence levied against the accused without proper cause provides a reasonable platform for me as a parent to lay a charge of discrimination against the school. Without proper cause, it provides a reasonable platform for me as a parent to lay a charge of discrimination against the school on behalf of my child. I need not inform you that there are laws in South Africa which guarantee his basic human rights to receiving an education, so my child will attend school on Monday morning unhindered or the staff and the school management will be charged on following basis.
- Refusal to adhere the basic human rights to an education as per section 29(1) enshrined in the constitution.
- Discrimination on basis of appearance. Also, remember that it is illegal to rule, without a proper hearing, that is contradictory to the laws of South Africa.
Also, there are precedents set aside in court regarding “hairstyles” in the public education system, so I would strongly advise the school to cease their victimization of my child”.
The Laudium Sun tried contacting Renitha Singh, the principal of Laudium Secondary, who cowardly refused to take our calls or reply to any of our messages.
Gauteng Education Dept spokesperson, Steve Mabona told the Laudium Sun that they will be investigating the matter.
