Four Students Suspended over Long Hair Cut

A church has threatened to sue teachers and a chief for allegedly barring students from attending classes. The two school heads in Kitui county in cohoots with area chief and his assistant have been accused of sending four girls away since the first term of the school calendar.

The students are said to have refused to cut short their long hair to comply with the school regulations. The head teachers insisted that the girls must conform to the rules by cutting short their hair.

Anna Savi (standard six), Rachael Peter (Standard 3), Amos Peter and Joshua Peter (standard three and one respectively) at Kitimui and Ngumbwa Primary have been suspended from school.

Pastor Paul Kalovwe of the Kenya Local Believers Church through Z N Gathaara and Company Advocates have served the Attorney General with an intention to sue the teachers.

Lawyer Gathaara said he intends to file a suit against Ivaini location chief, his assistant and Kitui OCS for wrongful arrest and detention of the two parents. The church has argued that the students and their parents are being victimized for upholding their religious beliefs.

The children's parents have said the hair is a gift from God and as such the students should not be compelled to cut it. Quoting 1st Corinthians, chapter 11, verses 14,15, and 16, Pastor Kalovwe says if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her for her long hair is given to her for covering.

He says in 2008, he received a revelation that women should shave their hair. He further said the constitution guarantees citizens freedom of worship and the teachers are wrong to violate the rights.

County director of Education Peter Maundu said he is aware of the tussle which has been there between the teachers and the parents. "This is a problem. I feel for the parents and the school's management. There is need to approach the issue with sobriety and make a decision," Maundu said.