In a bold step towards cultural affirmation and personal autonomy, Jamaica College is preparing to revisit its longstanding grooming policies—specifically its rules on hair.
Principal Wayne Robinson, speaking candidly during a recent address to students, signaled a coming shift in how the institution views student appearance. While not yet finalized, the move suggests a break from traditional restrictions rooted in colonial-era discipline codes, with Robinson noting that the school is entering a “period of cultural recalibration.”
“There are still people who believe we should maintain the regimented ‘two-inch rule’,” Robinson admitted, referencing the decades-old standard that has long defined male grooming in many traditional Jamaican schools. “But we’re looking at this differently now. It’s about responsibility and self-respect, not uniformity for uniformity’s sake.”
The shift, though not without internal pushback, is being framed as part of a broader educational goal—teaching students to manage freedom with accountability, rather than suppressing expression under inherited structures. “This is about evolution, not rebellion,” one teacher privately shared. “We’re still a school that values discipline. But we’re also asking: discipline to what end?”
Robinson is expected to lead a school-wide discussion this Friday, using the opportunity to outline the vision behind the proposed change and gather perspectives from students, staff, and alumni.
Though seemingly minor, the policy debate touches deeper national chords about identity, decolonization, and the symbols of control embedded in institutional life. In Jamaica and across the Caribbean, hair has long been a cultural flashpoint—a site where personal expression often clashes with outdated norms.
Whether Jamaica College follows through with the change or not, one thing is clear: the conversation has shifted from “what’s allowed” to “what’s right.” And that shift may be more transformative than any haircut.
