Jamaica College Principal Announces Plan For More Relaxed Hair Policy

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Principal of Jamaica College (JC), Wayne Robinson, has announced plans to introduce a more relaxed hair policy for students — a move that has stirred lively debate among members of the school community.

Speaking recently during an address to students, Robinson acknowledged that the proposed change has received mixed reactions from both staff and the wider JC family.

“There comes a time when hair will be accepted,” Robinson declared in a video shared on the school’s Press Club Instagram page on Tuesday. “Because there are people right here, now, members of staff, members of the community who do not believe we should do this. And we should stick to the good old army — two inches — and everybody cut their hair.”

However, Robinson explained that the school’s leadership believes it’s time to move away from outdated colonial norms surrounding male grooming in schools.

“We don’t believe that,” he continued. “We are teaching you about responsibility, and we are looking to what we have learned. We think it’s a colonial vestige.”

The JC principal said he plans to give a formal presentation on Friday outlining details of the proposed policy shift, which will reportedly encourage personal responsibility and self-expression while maintaining discipline and respect.

The announcement comes amid a growing national conversation about hair discrimination and cultural identity in Jamaica’s education system, with several schools reviewing their grooming rules in recent years.

The Education Ministry has yet to comment on Jamaica College’s proposal.