Gauteng education MEC Panyaza Lesufi has told a Kempton Park school not to suspend any pupils over inappropriate hairstyles for the next three months, after the school was criticised for allegedly targeting black pupils with braids.

Lesufi visited Windsor House Academy in Ekurhuleni yesterday after one of the pupils' aunts complained that a group of black girls had allegedly been told to leave school on Monday for wearing braids.

After meeting with the principal, Lesufi said the school's rules around hairstyles would be suspended for three months

In the meantime, pupils must nominate five learner representatives who will help decide on the rules henceforth.

"I will come in three months' time to ensure that we have a new policy we all respect. I am pleading with you, you are young, you are beautiful and you need to be protected. But I plead with you to respect your elders," Lesufi said to pupils.

School accused of targeting black pupils over natural hairA woman has accused a school in Gauteng of policing black pupils’ hair after her niece was sent home over her “inappropriate” hairstyle. 

Lesufi said he had received complaints from 11 pupils at the school via social media.

He said pupils told him this is "a racial thing, but for me it's a human rights issue".

Parents and pupils had complained about the school's hair policy, which they said was discriminatory.

The school's code of conduct regarding hairstyles says that girls should always appear well-groomed and that no trendy hairstyles or dreadlocks of any sorts are permissible. Pupils are warned that where they are in breach of these rules, they will be liable for the cost of rectifying the problem.

Dyed, coloured or highlighted hair is not permitted. Pupils are advised not to "experiment with hair colour".

They are also advised not to act as models for hair salons or training academies.

"Ribbons, accessories, slides and clips must be in school colours [brown and black]. Fringes must be cut to above eyebrow level or clipped back, unruly hair must be plaited [one or two plaits only].

"Hair which has been teased, frizzed, gelled or moussed is not permitted. Bobbed hair and asymmetrical styles must be clipped back. Bonded hair may also not be worn as it is too artificial," the code says.

A 17-year-old matriculant who was part of the girls told to leave the school on Monday said the principal didn't even contact her parents.

A Grade 11 pupil expressed her feelings about being kicked out of school. "The principal told us to leave the premises. It's not safe, girls are getting killed and we are being kicked out. White learners in the school come with colour on their hair but we are being victimised," the pupil said.

The principal, Mariette van Heerden, said that as a school they will work together and resolve these issues. "School is about getting work done. I told you, let's run with the programme, which is academics. These girls are our future. We are going to make ends meet."

Parent Nkele Mathe said her daughter was forced to cut her dreadlocks when she joined the school. "When I enrolled her in the school we were told that dreadlocks are not allowed, and I cut her hair ... only for her to come to me in a week and told me that several pupils had dreadlocks and braids and were not victimised for it ...

"You can imagine what this does to a child's self-esteem," Mathe said.

This is not the first time hairstyles at school has become a hot-button issue.

In 2016, Pretoria Girls High School courted controversy after black pupils complained they were not allowed to wear their hair naturally.

"Since we addressed the problem with Pretoria Girls High, the public education system has dealt with it, it's new in the private system. We underestimated the problem.

"But it's an issue that's not out of control. What hurts me is that you can hear from the pain in those girls' voices," Lesufi said.