THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, Jan. 6: St. Xavier’s School Doranda did not allow 52 class X students to take the ongoing pre-board examinations for a proper haircut today.
They were scheduled to write a Geography paper today.
Though schools prescribe that boys should go in for regular haircuts and have short-trimmed hair, what has surprised many is that they were denied pre-board examinations.
“They were forced to sit in the library room while the examinations were going on. The school should have warned them instead of denying them to take examinations,” said a student’s parents requesting anonymity.
Earlier also, the school forced one class 12 student to take out his shorts in football grounds as it was not allowed. “Schools act funny. The PT teacher feels that he is the custodian of all disciplines,” said another parent.
School Rules
They threatened to move the National Child Rights Commission, saying the school’s rules are not above the rights of a child.
Significantly, the Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, in a case, had once ruled that a school’s rules and regulations are not above the will and consent of a child.
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The ruling had come in a case filed by parents of a Class X student from Activity High School Peddar Road, alleging that the school’s principal forced him to get a haircut twice in school against his wish because his hairstyle was against what is prescribed in the school’s regulations.
St Xavier’s School Principal Ignatius Lakra could not be contacted for comments.
School website
However, the school website says students must have a proper haircut and nails nicely trimmed. The school website added that they must look presentable during examinations.
The school rulebook says discipline is necessary for the smooth and efficient running of the school. Punctuality, Neatness, Courtesy, Generosity, Hard work, Consideration for others, and Cooperation are insisted upon in the school.
But can a school stop a child from writing exams because of an incorrect hairstyle?
The answer is a firm no. A school may not deny a student access to writing an exam due to a hairstyle, nor deny access to a report or a lesson. A school’s Code of Conduct must align with the Constitution and law prevailing in the country,” said an education policy analyst.
