My daughter’s school has threatened to send her home for wearing her hair in a style connected to our culture, claiming it breaches the uniform policy. She has worn it for years without an issue. Can a school really enforce rules like that?
Schools can set reasonable rules about uniform and appearance through their board of trustees, but they must comply with the law, including the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 and the Human Rights Act 1993, which prohibits discrimination on grounds including race, ethnic origin and religious belief. A rule that in effect penalises a cultural practice may be discriminatory unless it is justified and there is flexibility. Ask the school for the specific policy and how it is applied, and request a meeting to explain the cultural significance. You can complain to the board of trustees, then the Ministry of Education and the Human Rights Commission, which offers a free dispute resolution service. Exclusion from class for hair alone is a step schools should treat very cautiously.
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