The main entrance to Alliance High School.
A student from Alliance High School has petitioned Parliament to abolish the ban on dreadlocks in schools.
He argues that this would help to contain the ongoing riots in secondary schools, among other things.
The student, who cannot be named as he is a minor, says that addressing this issue will help to standardise the school uniform.
“The petitioner seeks the help of the Education Committee to issue an order to remove the mandatory shaving of hair in the name of neatness,” the petition reads.
“My request to Parliament is to issue a directive to the Ministry of Education to abolish mandatory shaving,” he writes.
The committee chairman, Julius Melly, said that the petition is part of the wider issue of children’s rights, particularly those of students in schools, that the country is dealing with.
“These are children’s rights that we are dealing with. As we become a more laissez-faire society, we will see more of these issues,” said Mr Melly.
Tinderet MP Julius Melly, who is also the chairperson National Assembly Education Committee, on May 13, 2025 at Bunge Towers, Nairobi.
The committee is planning countrywide tours to visit schools and meet other education stakeholders as it commences its inquiry into school unrest.
“We will meet various stakeholders, not only to hear their side of the story, but also to find a solution,” said Mr Melly.
He added: “We know various task forces have produced reports in the past. Part of our inquiry will be to obtain information from the Ministry of Education on how far they have implemented the recommendations.”
Mr Melly pointed out that, starting next week, the committee will hold meetings with stakeholders, including the CS for Education, Julius Ogamba, and the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, who are scheduled to appear before the committee on Tuesday.
Mr Melly said that the committee will provide an update on the implementation of the various task forces’ recommendations on school unrest, while Mr Kanja is expected to address wider security issues in schools.
“This committee will not join the chorus of lamentation. We want solutions to this issue, which is why we are acting swiftly on this matter,” said Mr Melly.
After the fire tragedy at Utumishi Academy in Gilgil, which left 16 learners dead, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula asked the committee to investigate the unrest in schools.
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