By: Johanna Wu

Uniforms and hairstyles are being restricted at schools in Victoria, but students at these schools are showing that their rights to wear and do what they want matter.

A 10-year-old boy was removed from his class and isolated from his peers because of his brightly colored hair. This incident happened in Australia at Melbourne’s Mordialloc College whose school policy states “non-natural hair colors” are not permitted.

The student dyed his hair to make a declaration about social issues he is passionate about, including youth mental health by calming his brain and by helping his body relax. “I want kids in high school to feel like their voices are heard and matter,” the student said to reporters. “I have been told to study in the senior school office until I get my hair fixed. It’s really hard to study in there. I think if there is a reason for it, it should be okay to have colored hair.” He added.

The student was asked to wear a beanie until the hair color fades or to dye his hair his natural color. His mother believes that this request is discriminatory and violates his right to advocate for the causes that he supports. Even though the student’s mother had made many attempts to seek mediation, the school maintains that he must behave according to the rules.

A number of students at another school were also removed from their classes because they were failing to wear school-branded items. One student at an Officer Secondary College that is also in Victoria, Australia, said that almost 100 students were sent to the library for wearing plain black pants rather than school-logo black pants.

One 12-year student, Piper, said to reporters that her school had been forceful on its new uniform policy, called “RE SET”. She added, “There are a lot of families doing it tough and visiting food banks,” concluding, “it is more than reasonable to buy cheaper alternatives from shops such as Kmart as long as they are within the school color.” Many families may not have a lot of money so they can’t buy school uniforms. If kids can wear clothes that are within school color, they will save a lot of money.

A spokesman from the Department of Education said uniforms were a “matter for the Mordialloc College school council.” While this comment reflects an effort to stay out of the matter, the spokesman admitted that the school “council must be able to demonstrate it has considered the cost of school uniforms and parents’ ability to afford it. We are very confident that Officer Secondary College has met those expectations.” Still, some are not sure if all parents can afford school uniforms, so they say this may be wrong.

While uniform and hair disagreements have been happening all around, Victoria, Australia is bringing up the most commotion. A review has been launched to see if expectations have been or are being met. Many are still arguing about school policy but hope to see results soon.

Sources: https://www.kidsnews.com.au/news/students-give-schools-a-spray-over-restricted-hair-colour-and-uniforms/news-story/616092b72b6dd301e262aadbe693ff8d