Debate ignites over school hair policies after viral TikTok shows braids being cut
Girl's braids being cut at school.
Image: Screenshot / TikTok
Every December, school kids finally get a taste of freedom, especially when it comes to their hair.
Girls experiment with funky coloured braids and bold, intricate styles, while boys, for some reason, collectively decide summer is the perfect time to go blonde, complete with sharp lines and detailed fades.
But as the first day of school creeps closer and reality sets in, that freedom comes to an abrupt end.
With heavy hearts, learners are forced to part ways with the looks they spent weeks enjoying, all in the name of school rules.
Hair policies differ from school to school, but most schools have strict guidelines in place.
Learners and parents are advised to familiarise themselves with these rules before the school year begins. If you are returning to the same school, you already know what is allowed and what is not.
With that being said, it should not come as a surprise when, on the first day of school, a learner is reprimanded if their hairstyle goes against school policy.
A video shared on TikTok showing girls’ braids being cut off with scissors at school has since gone viral.
The clip, which has already garnered over a million views, also shows girls standing outside the school gate with visibly bleached hair.
The braids being removed appear to be mostly coloured or extremely long styles. The learner who shared the video is clearly distressed and can be seen cutting her own hair in the clip.
As expected, the comment section quickly turned into a heated debate.
Some questioned why the girls’ braids had to be removed in such a harsh manner and how a hairstyle could possibly affect learning.
Others applauded the school’s actions, arguing that rules are rules and must be enforced.
One TikToker wrote: “Discipline matters beyond academics. School rules exist to prepare children for life. When rules are ignored for too long, correction can feel like punishment. We understand the emotions involved, but just like in the workplace where PPE and appearance rules apply, schools also have standards that must be respected.”
Another person sided firmly with the school, saying: “This is not a 1k or 2k debate. There are rules for a reason, whether you’re in Matric or not. These ones took chances and were unfortunately stopped in their tracks very fast! Big ups to the principal!”
Others pointed out that strict school rules are nothing new.
“School is meant for learning, we all had to go through this. There are rules in place for a reason,” one viewer commented.
Another added: “There’s a code of conduct at every school that must be followed it’s simple we all went through that.”
Not everyone agreed. Reflecting on her own school days, one TikToker shared: “I hated this rule shem. Do you know how many great things one can accomplish when feeling good. And the loss of confidence after removing the braids.. Our schools are focusing on the wrong things shem.”
Another simply asked: “How does hairstyle influence learning?”
One viewer felt the situation could have been handled better, writing: “Their parents spent a lot of money for the braid just to be cut like that I would lose it. I think information should've been given first and then next time the braid can be changed but like this no.”
The learner who posted the video also weighed in, expressing frustration in the comments: “the thing that stresses me out the most about this is that a good number of us were matriculants that were locked out. All my life ive known matriculants to have privileges that come with the grade. My hair was dark. I wore a full uniform. I'm pi**ed man.”
Beyond this single incident, the video has reignited a long-standing conversation in South Africa about hair policies in schools.
Over the years, several schools have faced backlash for rules that disproportionately affect Black learners, particularly girls.
From Afros deemed “untidy” to natural hair labelled “distracting”, hair policies have repeatedly been criticised for reinforcing outdated beauty standards.
While dress code policies across South African schools may not all look exactly the same, one thing remains consistent.
Every school has a code of conduct, and how those rules are enforced will always spark debate, especially when scissors enter the conversation.