"Do not wear long hair, braided hair, extravagant cuts, particularly for boys", is point 10 of the internal regulations of the Instituto Politécnico Industrial "Alda Lara", in Luanda, posted at the entrance of this institution and at the door of each classroom.
"Those students who present themselves at our institution with extravagant cuts, such as, for example, with disheveled hair or with a cut with drawings on their head, these students, of course, we advise them to go home," told Lusa this Tuesday the pedagogical assistant director of that public institution, Domingos Agostinho.
At the entrance of the educational establishment, the discontent of some students was visible, who were forced to return home for violating Alda Lara's internal rules in the field of hair care.
Domingos Agostinho explained that the institution's regulation is mandatory, since the school unit, he argued, does not have only the mission of transmitting knowledge, but also "of values" so that students can "form their own personality".
"What we have been advising is that our students should keep their hair within what is normal, that is, have their hair combed", he stressed.
According to the school official, there are extravagant cuts, "which can incite violence", and these are not allowed in that high school institution.
"It is in this sense that we have been interacting with our students and with those in charge of education. We even had a meeting with those in charge in which we asked them to help the institution, so that we do not have major constraints", he concluded.
The problem of imposing haircuts in schools in Luanda, especially for students who wear curly hair or hairstyles long or braided, in the case of boys, has been going on for weeks and gave rise to a protest march by students last Saturday, stopped by the police.
Edmilson Eduardo, 18, a student at Alda Lara, told Lusa that the "fight" over haircuts persists in schools, which in his view should be more flexible, especially for students who are artists.
"In my humble opinion, I don't think it's very necessary to have a haircut. In terms of hygiene, if the hair is clean, organized, I don't think it's necessarily necessary to cut it", he stressed.
Regarding the regulation of his school institution, the 11th grade student pointed out that "it is expressly forbidden to be in the institution with hair longer than 2 centimeters".
"We still find students with long hair, we are fighting against it as it is cultural and culture must be respected", he maintained.
Like the Industrial Polytechnic Institute "Alda Lara", the Industrial Medium Institute of Luanda (IMIL) also imposes the mandatory haircut as some students who applaud the measure told Lusa.
"There is a set of rules used here at the school and we must comply, because they are rules, like cutting our hair. Those who don't cut their hair cannot enter because it is a rule and it must be followed", said Alcino Miguel Esteves, a student at IMIL.
Students in white coats completely fill the access gates to the IMIL, where internal security officers rigorously observe the types of clothing and hairstyles of each student, reporting that some had to return home because of their hair.
Renata da Fonseca, 15 years old, and also a student at IMIL, praises the measure of the educational institution, defending that schools have rules and these are to be followed.
"Many confuse freedom with debauchery, but we must respect it to maintain a good standard at school", she commented, adding: "when some are expelled it seems fine to me because the standards must be met".
As a result of the controversy surrounding the imposition of haircuts in schools, the Ministry of Education intervened with a circular, dated 28 September, directing schools to combat discrimination.
In the circular, minister Luísa Grilo urges schools to create "a harmonious environment of respect for difference in the various ways in which each student's hair can be presented without, however, subverting the code of conduct and school discipline".
It also emphasizes that the Education and Teaching System is governed by the principles of equality and child protection, provided for in the Constitution of the Republic, as well as by the principle of universality, provided for in the Basic Law of the Education and Teaching System "thus promoting the fight against against all forms of discrimination on grounds of an individual's ancestry, sex, race, ethnicity, colour, disability, language, place of birth, religion, political, ideological or philosophical convictions".
The circular also mentions that school managers must obey the laws and must ensure the materialization of the general principles that govern the Education System and promote "strategies of permanent dialogue with the members of the school community in order to establish rules for school coexistence that ensure the broad protection of the child against all types of discrimination".
Last Saturday, a journalist covering the protest against the imposition of hairstyles in Luanda was detained, as were 14 students, all of whom were released in the meantime.
