St. Lucia Times has obtained a copy of the Saint Lucia Student Deportment Policy (SSDP) — the long-awaited document from the Ministry of Education that sets out national standards for student appearance and conduct across public and assisted schools.
The policy, which is dated July 1, 2025, establishes clear expectations for student deportment from preschool to secondary level. According to the document, “The Saint Lucia Student Deportment Policy sets clear standards of deportment for students within and between school communities. A framework is provided to ensure these expected standards are properly established and maintained throughout the school system.”
It further states that the policy “upholds, conforms and complies with the Education Act, Cap 18.01.”
While the policy addresses uniform, jewellery, and overall appearance, it is the section on hair that many had been waiting for as it is a long-debated topic that has stirred national conversation about student expression and cultural identity.
The document introduces the National Student Hair Guidelines, explaining that their purpose is “to promote proper hygiene, safety, individuality, self-expression and respect for diversity within and between school communities without discrimination or bias.”
Under the new rules, “students shall keep their hair clean, neatly groomed, and styled in a manner that does not obstruct the view of others.” It also specifies that female students are allowed to wear “braided hair extensions, dreadlocks and interlocked hair,” while male students may wear “dreadlocks and interlocked hair.”
However, the policy also establishes limits on length and styling. It states that “braided hair extensions, dreadlocks, interlocked hair and natural hair that goes beyond the neck in length shall at all times be tied back and not loosely worn.” Additionally, hair that exceeds two inches in height “shall at all times be cornrowed, plaited or otherwise adjusted to satisfy this stipulated height.”
In what appears to be one of the most defining rules, the document declares that “wigs, weaves and coloured hair are not allowed.” The only exceptions are “in exceptional cases, approval may be granted by the Chief Education Officer,” provided that “wigs, weaves and hair colour shall match the natural hair colour of the student’s hair, unless otherwise required and authorised.”
The policy also outlines restrictions on hair markings, noting that “an edge-up, shape-up or line-up” is permitted, but “no other markings of the hair [are] allowed.”
To promote inclusivity, schools are instructed to be “sensitive to cultural and religious considerations regarding hairstyles,” with each case to be “assessed on its own merits.” Furthermore, the policy makes clear that “the school shall take action in keeping with its school rules against any form of bullying, teasing, or harassment related to a student’s choice of hairstyle.”
The Saint Lucia Student Deportment Policy emphasises that its standards are designed not to restrict individuality but to foster pride, discipline, and inclusivity within the nation’s schools — while ensuring all rules are applied “consistently and equitably within and between school communities.”
