Education

University Bans Baggy Trousers, Dreadlocks, Others

By Web News 423

A Nigerian varsity, Babcock University in Ogun State, has introduced a new and stricter dress and grooming code for its students ahead of forthcoming examinations, banning dreadlocks, beards, and other unapproved hairstyles.

In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by the Vice President for Student Development, Olanivi Arije, the university announced the cancellation of all hair-pass permits previously in circulation.

According to the statement, hair-pass tags — documents issued to students as waivers for certain hairstyles — are illegal and do not grant any valid or legitimate right to keep unapproved hairstyles on any of the university’s campuses.

The management declared that “the use, circulation, or recognition of hair-pass in any form is henceforth outlawed at Babcock University with immediate effect”.

It added that the new regulations will take effect from the beginning of the second semester in January and will be strictly enforced across all campuses.

“Students currently in possession of any form of hair-pass or exemption are directed to disregard and discontinue its use immediately. Any student found presenting, using, or relying on such a document shall be investigated for the violation of University regulations and, if found liable, shall face the inevitable consequence accordingly,” the statement said.

The university further stated that male students are prohibited from keeping voluminous or unkempt hair, beards and dreadlocks, while female students are not permitted to wear extreme, indecent or inconsistent hairstyles.

It also listed body-hugging outfits, sleeveless blouses or dresses, sagging trousers, as well as baggy, boot-cut or over-length trousers as prohibited.

This policy follows a trend among Nigerian universities, like Benue State University, BSU, Obafemi Awolowo University, and Adekunle Ajasin University, which have also implemented strict dress codes, sparking debate and controversy over personal expression and student discipline.

The management added that tying scarves to corporate or official academic wear is not allowed at certain times, while outfits such as bubu, danshiki, joggers, sportswear or walk-out wear are banned during stipulated periods.

Babcock warned that any student found in possession of prohibited items on campus would face disciplinary action.

“The University will not entertain excuses, appeals or claims of ignorance. All students are expected to resume fully compliant with these regulations,” the statement added.

Culled/Adetutu Adetule

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Foreign

Texas Judge Affirms School’s Suspension of Black Student over Dreadlocks

By Web News 350

A Texas Judge has ruled that a school district did not discriminate against a black high school student when it punished him over his dreadlocks.

Barbers Hill Independent School District suspended Darryl George, 18, last August, saying his hairstyle violated its dress code.

According to report, the judge found the Houston-area school did not break a state law banning race-based bias on hair.

An attorney for the family said they plan to file an appeal.

Meanwhile, the student will remain on suspension and removed from the school’s regular classrooms.

Chambers County Judge Chap Cain III ruled in favor of the school district after about three hours of testimony on Thursday.

Mr George spoke of his “anger, sadness, disappointment” outside court after the decision.

The school district referred to its dress code, which says hair cannot be “below the top of a T-shirt collar, below the eyebrows, or below the ear lobes when let down”.

But Mr George refused to cut his braided dreadlocks, with the family citing its cultural significance in the black community.

Last year Texas passed the Crown Act, a state law designed to prohibit race-based discrimination against people based on their hairstyle.

Darresha George, the student’s mother, filed a complaint on her son’s behalf, accusing the district of violating the newly passed law.

The school district filed its own lawsuit in September, asking the court to settle the matter, and Thursday’s ruling was the outcome of that case.

However, Barbers Hill High School’s superintendent Dr Greg Poole defended the school’s decision, saying that the Crown Act did not mention hair length specifically.

Since the start of Mr George’s past year at Barbers Hill High School, in August, he has been handed multiple disciplinary penalties for refusing to cut his hair.

He was removed from class and placed on in-school suspension, and later required to attend an off-campus programme.

“He has to sit on a stool for eight hours in a cubicle,” his mother told the Associated Press in August.

“That’s very uncomfortable. Every day he’d come home, he’d say his back hurts because he has to sit on a stool.”

Barbers Hill ISD has previously made news headlines over dress code conflicts with its black students.

De’Andre Arnold and Kaden Bradford were required to cut their dreadlocks in 2020, and the two students’ families sued.

In that case, a federal judge ruled the district’s hair policy was discriminatory.

A federal version of the Crown Act passed in the House of Representatives in 2023, but did not pass in the Senate.

BBC/Taiwo Akinola