Some students' non-compliance with grooming policy a cry for help, says teen

 

A sixth form student of Magotty High School in St. Elizabeth is arguing that some children's lack of compliance with the dress and grooming policy could be a cry for help.

 

Kevina Rowe says the rebellion from children stems from deeper issues in their homes and communities.

 

As a result, she is urging the Ministry of Education to create interventions for these students. 

 

"When they break the rules and you check out, a lot of these students from these non-traditional schools are coming from broken homes. So what are the psychological issues that are linking to them being 'rebellious' or as we like to call them? So I think we should take a deeper dive, you know, find the measures to help them and just be informed about the students and their backgrounds," she argued. 

 

The student was speaking with Radio Jamaica News following a forum on the dress and grooming policy in Manchester on Friday. 

 

National Secondary Students' Council Representative and head girl for DeCarteret College, Sabrina Barnes, said the approach of school administrators toward students regarding their grooming policies will make the difference in achieving conformity.

 

Barnes said schools should facilitate students expressing themselves, stressing that for many students, fashion is as important as getting an education. 

 

"Though you see it as us wanting to have a style or wanting to probably be rebellious, that's not necessarily the case. Young people love things that are vibrant, new, energetic and creative. And in every little aspect of our lives, we will utilise every material to prove such," she declared, adding that the orientation giving to students and "how we are spoken to about how we express ourselves is very important".