SHSs hairstyle, long hair policy is to ensure uniformity – MoE PRO
The Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the Ministry of Education, Hashmin Mohammed, says the introduction of the no-fancy hairstyle and long hair policy is to ensure uniformity in second-cycle schools.
In an interview monitored by Pretertiary.com, the Education Ministry spokesperson said the Ministry of Education stands by the ban on hairstyle and long hair despite public criticism of the hair policy, saying his outfit is enforcing existing regulations.
“Every society operates under its own established set of rules, and we at GES operate under our own rules and regulations,” Hasmin Mohammed said on Accra-based Starr FM’s Morning Starr show.
The Ministry of Education spokesman added that adherence to the new hair policy is part of broader efforts to maintain discipline and proper conduct among Senior High School (SHS) students.
Describing senior high schools as “citadels for moulding character,” Mr Mohammed stressed that discipline extends beyond academics.
The Head of Public Relations explained that the hair policy did not originate solely from the Ministry, but emerged from proposals by school administrators across the country seeking uniformity.
“Personally, I see nothing wrong with school administrators calling for uniformity… and the requirement for how students must style their hair,” he said.
While affirming the rules, Mr Mohammed clarified that exceptions would be considered for legitimate reasons, saying, “Every rule allows for exceptions.”
According to him, prospective second-cycle school (Senior High School) students with medical conditions or extraordinary circumstances could have their cases reviewed by school administrators.
The Education Ministry spokesperson disclosed that detailed guidelines specifying acceptable hairstyles and conditions for exceptions will soon be implemented across all educational boards.
In other news, the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has urged parents to cooperate with the Ghana Education Service (GES) in enforcing a strict directive on approved hairstyles for senior high school students nationwide.
Speaking at a stakeholder engagement organized by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) in Accra, Mr. Iddrisu explained that the directive is aimed at promoting uniformity, discipline, and equity among students at the secondary level.
The Education Minister and Tamale South Member of Parliament noted that enforcing such policies helps shape character and instill discipline in young learners, preparing them for the future.
“For purposes of uniformity and discipline, the Ghana Education Service must strictly and religiously enforce this directive,” he said. “If we give in to hairstyles today, tomorrow it will be shoes or dress styles. Parents must understand that education and training are shared responsibilities.”
The Education Minister further stressed that students will have the freedom to express themselves, including their choice of hairstyles, once they progress to tertiary institutions.
“After a certain age, when they get into tertiary institutions, they are free to wear whatever hairstyle they want, but not at the basic or secondary level,” Honourable Haruna Iddrisu stated.
The Minister of Education’s appeal comes after he stated that long hair would not be tolerated, emphasising that secondary schools are meant for learning, not beauty contests.
Speaking at the 75th Anniversary celebrations of Mawuli School, he said the Ghana Education Service (GES) and heads of second-cycle institutions to take full control of student behaviour in schools.
“There is an ongoing debate on social media about haircuts and size, and the lengths of hair in Secondary Schools. We’ll not tolerate it today, we’ll not tolerate it tomorrow, in so long as we are moulding character. If we give in to hair today, tomorrow it will be shoes, and the next day it will be the way they dress.
Therefore as part of our disciplinary measures, Headmasters and GES, you are accordingly empowered to take full control of how students behave on your campuses. So anybody who thinks that your child will walk into any institution of learning, as if that Child was to attend a beauty contest, the school environment is not for that purpose and not cut for that purpose, and will not tolerate that as an institution,” he said.
