Alliance High Student Petitions Parliament to End Mandatory Hair Shaving in Schools

Last updated: June 13, 2026 5:02 pm

David Osoro 3 weeks ago

2 Min Read

A student from Alliance High School has petitioned Parliament to abolish school rules that require learners to shave their hair and prohibit dreadlocks in educational institutions.

The unnamed student argues that the long-standing grooming regulations should be reviewed, claiming that allowing students greater freedom over their hairstyles could help address some of the frustrations contributing to unrest in secondary schools.

In the petition, the student asks Parliament to direct the Ministry of Education to scrap mandatory hair-shaving requirements imposed in the name of neatness and discipline.

“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 states.

The student further argues that eliminating the policy would promote uniformity in school regulations and better accommodate individual rights and preferences.

The matter has now been referred to the National Assembly’s Education Committee, chaired by Julius Melly, which is currently examining the causes of increasing unrest in secondary schools across the country.

Melly said the petition raises broader questions about children’s rights, student welfare, and the balance between discipline and personal freedoms in learning institutions.

Meanwhile, Moses Wetang’ula has directed the committee to investigate the concerns raised and propose recommendations.

As part of its inquiry, the committee plans to conduct visits to schools across the country and engage students, teachers, parents, education officials and other stakeholders.

The petition comes at a time when Kenya is witnessing renewed debate over school governance, student rights and disciplinary policies following a wave of unrest reported in several secondary schools.

If adopted, the proposal could trigger one of the most significant changes to school grooming regulations in decades, particularly in institutions where clean-shaven hairstyles have traditionally been enforced as part of discipline and uniformity policies.