Cape Town - Pretoria High School for Girls has been engulfed in a storm about its hair policy, with pupils protesting what they say is discrimination and racism.
The school's code of conduct is available for download on its website. The section covering the rules for hair is reproduced here:
6.4 General appearance
All hair must be brushed. If hair is long enough to be tied back, it must be tied back neatly in a ponytail, no lower than the nape of the neck, with a navy blue elastic. Ponytails may not be visible from the front. No crocodile, banana or other fancy clips are allowed. All hair must be off the face and not be in the eyes. Hair buns must be tight with no loose hair and have to be worn in the neck, and not on top of the head. The hair may not cover the elastic.
No dyeing, bleaching, highlighting, colouring, colour washing, colour rinsing, relaxing of hair causing a change in colour or shaving of hair in any way is allowed.
Cornrows, natural dreadlocks and singles/braids (with or without extensions) are allowed, provided they are a maximum of 10mm in diameter. Singles/braids must be the same length and be the natural colour of the girl's hair. Braids shorter than collar length must be kept off the face with a plain navy or tortoise shell alice band. Longer braids must be tied back. No beads or decorations in the hair. Cornrows must run parallel from each other from the forehead to the nape of the neck. No patterned cornrows.
All styles should be conservative, neat and in keeping with a school uniform. No eccentric/fashion styles will be allowed.
All hair elastics and ribbons must be navy blue. Alice bands or slides may be tortoiseshell or navy blue. No hair ornaments of any kind are permitted. No fashion items may be worn. No crocheted hairbands are allowed. Hair bands, which may have a maximum width of 5cm, may not be worn to cover any part of the ears.
Only legitimate PHSG school badges, which have been earned by the learner, may be worn. A small metal Aids badge is also permissible.
PHSG name badges must be worn on school premises (even after school hours) on the left hand collar of dress or blazer. Name badges may not be defaced or decorated in any way. Should a name badge break, a replacement should be ordered and paid for by the learner immediately.
All piercings must be empty.
Nails must be kept neat and short and must not be seen if the hand is held up. No false nails or tips may be worn. Only grade 12 learners may wear clear, colourless nail polish.
No drawings on any part of the body.
The following are not part of the Girls' High dress code:
* jewellery of any kind
* big watches
* brightly coloured watches
* make-up
* nail polish
* tattoos or henna markings
* lip gloss
* coloured contact lenses
IOL