Busia: 6 girls kicked out of school for keeping long hair

A standoff was on Tuesday witnessed at St Joseph’s Ganjala Secondary School in Busia County after six girls were kicked out of class for keeping long hair.

The school insisted that the hair of one of the girls (a Form Four student) was too long adding that they all had to shave in order to secure readmission.

Their parents, on the other hand, condemned the school’s actions saying their religion requires girls and women to keep their hair long.

“According to our religious beliefs, women must not shave their hair but they must keep them clean. The girls have gone through primary school with their hair, and when we brought them to this high school we explained to them our beliefs and they were accepted,” said one of the parents.

The parents are now accusing the school of refusing to respect their religious way of life and have sworn to take legal action citing gross violation of the girls’ right to education and freedom of religious association.

It also remains unclear why the rule was not enforced on the students earlier, since all the affected girls are currently in Forms 2, 3 and 4. The school administration could , however, not be reached for comment on the standoff.

The parents further urged the office of Education Cabinet Secretary Amb. Amina Mohamed to intervene in the matter.