India

State Commission Orders Schools to Regulate Hair, Phones and Bag Checks, Prompting Rights Concerns

By Abdul Latheef Naha

A new order from the State Child Rights Commission permits schools to set rules on students’ hair, appearance, mobile phones and cosmetics, and allows bag checks for harmful items, provided students’ dignity is protected. The directive, issued by Wilson F., bars disciplinary actions that humiliate students, cause mental distress or deny them education. It follows last month’s order by Commission member Shajesh Bhaskar, which upheld children’s right to grow their hair as they wished and urged schools to respect individuality, prevent gender‑based humiliation and forced haircuts, and prioritise learning over appearance.

Indu Menon, who secured the earlier ruling, criticised the new order for favouring teachers over children. She cited a transgender child who left school after teachers objected to the child growing long hair, and said the new order undermines a decision that took four years and several hearings to reach. Menon said she would challenge the order in the High Court.

Questions have also been raised about the procedure used to issue the order. Reports say neither the petitioners nor the government officials named as respondents were heard before the decision was made. Wilson defended the process, stating he relied on three High Court judgments and the Kerala Service Rules. The respondents in the case were the Director of General Education, Director of Local Self‑Government, Director General of Police and Director of the Health department. None was served notice or heard before the order was issued.

Wilson said, “We cannot afford to allow our children to bring ganja and drugs to school, and let their bags go unchecked.” He added that bag or body searches must not harm students’ dignity or self‑respect.

The order has also raised concerns within the Commission. Acting chairperson Cicily Joseph said she was unaware of the decision and had not consented to it, noting that the chairperson is the official spokesperson. Commission members reportedly questioned why a decision affecting students across the State was taken by a single member instead of a full bench. The Commission’s public relations officer was also reportedly bypassed before the order reached the media and teacher groups.

Teachers welcomed the order, saying it gives them clearer authority to prevent harmful behaviour. However, the need for discipline does not resolve concerns about due process, consistency or children’s rights. Menon said, “The Commission’s credibility depends on transparent procedures and decisions that uphold the rights it is meant to protect.”