Malawi court orders schools to allow students with dreadlocks

A high court in Malawi has ordered that students with dreadlocks be allowed to enrol in public schools across the country.

Two Rastafarian youngsters who had been denied entry to public schools in 2016 and 2010 petitioned the court, which was sitting in the eastern city of Zomba.

However, the two students have been going to class since they were granted a court order.

After attempts to resolve the issue through negotiations between the Rastafarian community in Malawi and the nation’s attorney general failed, a protracted court dispute was resolved on Monday.

Judge Zione Ntaba found that excluding children with dreadlocks from school was a violation of their right to education.

“The Ministry of Education should issue a statement to allow all children of the Rastafarian community with dreadlocks to be allowed in class. The circular should be done by 30th June,” Justice Ntaba ordered.

Three human rights organizations brought the complaint on behalf of the country’s Rastafarian population.