SAHRC calls for immediate reforms of school uniform policies
The commission also recommended the abolishment of prescribed underwear for girls as well as removing any hair policies that differentiate between male and female pupils.
Picture: Barry Bateman/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has called for immediate reforms of the country’s school uniform and appearance policies.
The commission has also recommended the abolishment of prescribed underwear for girls, as well as removing any hair policies that differentiate between male and female pupils.
The commission briefed the Basic Education portfolio committee today following its inquiry into school uniforms and the overregulating of appearances.
The SAHRC on Tuesday told Parliament that it noted an increase in reports of alleged overregulation of the school uniform and appearances of learners.
It then launched an investigation and held an inquiry in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape before presenting its findings to the committee.
The commission's Eastern Cape Head Dr Eileen Carter said the complaints highlighted bias rooted in Eurocentric norms.
She said natural hairstyles should never be considered an offence.
"We are calling on the national department to immediately abolish any hair policies differentiating between male and female learners eliminating these discriminatory practices related to afros, braids or natural hairstyles chosen by specific learners," said Carter.
On school uniforms Carter said they found that in certain circumstances school uniform and appearance policies infringed on a learner’s right to dignity through the enforcing of binary uniform policies.