The Human Rights Court in Accra has ordered the management of Achimota Senior High School to admit two Rastafarian students, who were rejected because of their hairstyle.
The Court first ordered Achimota School to admit Tyrone Marhguy, another dreadlock-wearing Rastafarian student before delivering its judgment on Oheneba Nkrabea.
Two months ago, both students were refused admission to the school due to their hairstyle which they attributed to their Rastafarian culture.
The school’s only consideration to allow the duo entry was for them to cut their dreadlocks which they [students] did not budge although the students were placed into the school under the Computerized School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS).
No amount of criticisms by Ghanaians, civil society organizations and human right activists against Achimota School compelled it to back down its decision.
It defended its position saying, allowing deadlocked was against the school’s rules and regulations.
Though the Ghana Education Service (GES) initially directed Achimota School to admit the students, it backtracked after pushback from the school’s stakeholders and further engagements.
In defence of the school’s decision, the Achimota School PTA said its revised rules and regulations from August 2020 indicate that students must keep their hair low, simple and natural.
Background
The impasse between the students and the school has been ongoing since March 19 during which the two students have not been able to start academic work with their colleagues.
Tyrone Iras Marhguy’s results were attached to the lawsuit to emphasise his academic competence.
The school had asked the parents to cut off their wards’ hair or find another school for them. Though the Ghana Education Student initially directed Achimota School to admit the students, it backtracked after pushback from the school’s stakeholders.
In defence of the school’s decision, the Achimota School PTA said its revised rules and regulations from August 2020 indicate that students must keep their hair low, simple and natural.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com
