KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Fi We Children Foundation (FWCF) says it is concerned by recent comments from Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) President La Sonja Harrison calling for stricter dress code standards in public spaces, including schools, on the basis that established rules should simply be respected and upheld.

In a statement on Saturday, the group described as deeply misguided “the level of effort invested in policing children’s hair, appearance and personal expression” citing reported comments from Harrison describing how symbols such as an “X” are placed on students’ clothing to indicate to parents that a particular length is considered prohibited.

The group maintained that at a time when teachers continue to teach without basic classroom resources including chalk, pencils, whiteboard markers, fans and air conditioning, the focus of the JTA President and education stakeholders should be on properly resourcing schools and advancing meaningful education reform.

“FWCF reminds the JTA President that rules are not absolute. A rule does not become reasonable simply because it exists. Where a rule serves no rational purpose and negatively affects a child’s dignity, identity or sense of self, it should be challenged,” the organisation stated.

It also expressed particular concern about what it described as the continued policing of Black children’s hair and appearance through arbitrary grooming standards.

Stressing that Jamaica should not be creating an education system where children are made to feel humiliated or excluded because of harmless expressions of their identity, FWCF also highlighted a viral video showing a young schoolboy beside the Education Minister while a policewoman physically removed earrings from his person.

“The organisation questions what legal authority permits a police officer to physically remove a student’s earrings solely because they allegedly breached a school rule,” said FWCF.

It argued that while school rules may regulate student conduct and appearance, they do not automatically authorise a state actor to physically interfere with a child’s person.

“Jamaica’s education system has far more pressing issues. The Education Transformation Oversight Committee (ETOC) developed from the Orlando Patterson report continues to monitor the implementation of the 365 recommendations arising from the report, with the wider programme running through 2031,” the organisation said.

Highlighting that ETOC reported a 43 per cent implementation completion rate for the Transforming Education for National Development programme in July 2026, up four percentage points from the prior period, the organisation conceded that progress has been reported, but said serious concerns remain regarding infrastructure, resources, teacher support and learning outcomes.

“The Education Minister and the JTA President should focus their attention there instead of policing Black boys and girls through arbitrary and senseless grooming rules. Jamaica must do better. Our children deserve an education system that prioritises learning, dignity and development over unnecessary conformity,” it remarked.