Haircut rule relaxation worries some
Critics say kids will be distracted; others agree it's time to loosen up
Parents and students yesterday voiced mixed opinions over the new ministerial regulations that allow all students to have a layered haircut. Some expressed concern that students might become preoccupied with their hairstyles and clothing.
“Students are supposed to focus on the most important thing – which is their education – rather than fashion and hairstyles. They should follow the old regulations that did not allow students to have long hair because if they wore long hair, they would look too attractive, and this poses a danger to them,” said Netsurang Kongsittichot, mother of a Matthayom 1 (Grade 7) student at Satriwithaya School.
Meanwhile, Montitar Petudom, a Matthayom 5 (Grade 11) student at Satriwithaya School, said she and her father agreed with the new regulations because he thought that students should have more freedom these days, but that students must observe appropriate limits.
“I personally agree with the new regulations because I can have long hair, even though I have to tie my hair with a white ribbon,” said Montitar.
Chamnong Chamchantha-rawong, director of Satriwithaya School, said the school would not oppose the new regulations although it had conserved short hair culture for a long time. The school committee and alumni association had discussed the issue with the school. It would allow students to wear their hair long, but would not allow them to get a layered haircut or colour their hair. Now, 50 per cent of the students have short hair.
Nit Ouytekkeng, chairman of Ban Khao Niwet Municipality School’s committee in Ranong province, said the ministry didn’t understand what really happens at schools. They only think about what happens in the outside world; they don’t have a proper idea about whether Thai society is ready for such a change or not. What happens these days, Nit said, was that students were given many rights, but ignore the rules. This could cause a problem in the future, the school chairman said.
Chinnapat Bhumirat, secretary-general of the Office of the Basic Education Commission, said the new regulations provided general outlines on student haircuts. Schools, students and other stakeholders could make a decision together on which hairstyles were suitable to students.
“I don’t think a layered hairstyle will be a problem. I am afraid that haircuts without layers are seen as abnormal when compared to hairstyles that people actually have,” Education Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana said.
