Schools defend ban on ‘edges’

The debate over school grooming policies has intensified following confirmation that some institutions, including St Andrew High School for Girls, have banned the styling of 'edges' - a popular hairstyle.

Jennifer Williams, president of the Association of Principals and Vice Principals, said the measure is intended to maintain neatness, noting that hair gels used to create the look often dry into a white substance, creating a flaky appearance, that can make students appear "dirty on the road".

"It comes across as if the hair was not washed, when that is not the case. The product itself makes the students look untidy," she told THE STAR.

The move comes amid broader discussions on how schools should enforce discipline. The Education Ministry has repeatedly cautioned administrators against locking students out for dress code violations, stressing that once children arrive on campus, schools act in loco parentis, which means 'in place of a parent'. At the same time, principals insist they are acting within established rules and are simply ensuring standards are upheld.

However, Williams, who is also the principal of The Queen's School, told THE STAR that the ban on edges was not sudden and that parents were advised months in advance.

"Parents were informed from June last year, and reminders were sent out in July reports," she said. "On the first day of school, the girls came with their hair neatly done and groomed. We do not see a problem."

She added that the restriction is aimed at keeping students focused.

"Girls spend time in the mornings fixing edges and arrive late, or in between classes they leave to redo them. We want them to concentrate on their education," she said.

The ban on edges is the latest in a series of grooming restrictions across Jamaican schools. Administrators have long clamped down on dreadlocks, boys' hair length, tight-fitting uniforms, and even belt buckles. Black hair dye has been prohibited at some institutions, while one Corporate Area school recently barred students from wearing perfumes, citing health concerns. Principals argue that these measures preserve order and uniformity, while critics question what they have to do with academic performance.

According to Williams, not all schools have introduced the restrictions, but those that have cite hygiene and health reasons.

"Some of the gels contribute to pimples on the forehead. When they dry up, it does not look neat," she said. "We are grooming these students to be young ladies."

She noted that schools have always guided students on changing trends.

"In my time we had bangs. Now it's edges. But the principle is the same, schools provide direction where grooming is concerned."

Still, the clampdowns have not gone unnoticed outside the school gates. The restrictions have spilled over onto social media, where many Jamaicans are questioning whether hairstyle bans have any link to education.

Principals, meanwhile, maintain that their role includes teaching discipline alongside academics.

"It is important that as administrators we guide them and show them what is not appropriate," Williams said. "Most times, when you sit down with a student and have that conversation, they usually agree."