Jeppe High School for Girls allegedly placed about 10 black pupils in detention in the library for the entire day for violating the school’s hair policy, but did not punish their white counterparts who did not comply.
The school is also alleged to have ordered a white girl, who complained about the inconsistent application of the policy due to her hair not complying, to return to class.
These allegations were made by pupils at the prestigious public school located in the suburb of Kensington, in eastern Johannesburg.
A black pupil said on July 17, they were pulled out of class, picked out randomly at assembly or stopped on their way to class by members of the executive body of the school, which included the deputy headmistress and the head of discipline, for spot checks on hair.
The pupils said their hair was pulled, their heads turned in different directions to check whether their hair was one colour, and that their braids were the same colour as their natural hair.
Those found to have hair, braids or extensions that were a different shade from their hair colour were sent to the library.
The spot checks also included girls with dreadlocks. One pupil with dreadlocks whose tips have discoloured and were not the same hair colour as her roots was allegedly asked to do research on her hair and fix it by Monday, July 22.
“She was stopped in the corridor on her way to class. It was humiliating and degrading. Her hair was touched and pulled without her permission. Her dreads have naturally discoloured at the tips. She was told to do research and fix it,” said the girl.
She said that, meanwhile, her white schoolmates with highlights were not given the same treatment.
“She essentially was being instructed to dye her dreadlocks so that they are one colour to deal with the natural discolouration that happens when her hair grows,” she said.
Another pupil who was not part of the girls who were picked for inspection said she sat in shock and disbelief in class when some girls were picked out for inspection in her class.
“I was confused at what was happening. One girl had blonde braids, and her hair colour is black. She was sent to the library,” said the girl.
“But a lot of white girls who have highlights were not called out for inspection,” she said.
Another pupil reported that one of the white girls with highlights even questioned the teachers about why they were exempt from spot checks.
“She questioned why she was not picked out for inspection and sent to detention because she had highlights that were not complying with the hair policy.
“Instead, she was told to go back to class. The same girl later went back to the library to complain about racial segregation in the way the hair checks were conducted and asked whether the pupils would also spend their break time at the library.
“The pupils were ordered to have their lunch outside the library but had to return for the rest of the day,” she said.
The school hair policy became effective at the beginning of the year. It states that hair may be dyed a natural colour, provided all the hair is one colour from root to tip.
A colour chart of permissible colours is also provided. It comprises “12 natural colour levels” from black, very dark brown, dark brown, medium, light brown, dark blonde, medium blonde, light blonde, very light blonde, lightest blonde, super light blonde, to ultra lightest blonde.
“Any colours that are not on the colour chart are not permissible unless it is one’s natural hair, i.e., red hair,” the policy states.
“Learners who choose to dye their hair must maintain the colour so that there is no visible difference between the colour of their dyed hair and their natural colour.
“Highlights must blend in with the learner’s hair colour (no more than one shade lighter or darker). No contrasting highlights will be allowed, e.g., dark highlights with light-coloured hair and light highlights with dark hair are not allowed. This includes braids,” the regulations on hair state.
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) said it was aware of the incident.
GDE spokesperson Steve Mabona said the department has launched an investigation into the matter. “The outcomes of our investigation will be communicated in due course,” he said.
“We urge schools to always be consistent and fair in instilling discipline, and learners must always adhere to their school’s codes of conduct.”
Another pupil said the principal apologised for the incident at an assembly held on Friday, July 26. “She said pupils who have complaints or suggestions can place them in the suggestion box placed outside the school councillor’s office,” she said.
