St. Andrew High School for Girls in Jamaica has ignited heated debate after introducing a new grooming policy that bans students from wearing edges—commonly known as baby hairs—alongside restrictions on hair dye.

The updated rules were shared at the beginning of the new school term through an Instagram account linked to the institution. The post read: “Reminder Students! Please be advised that the wearing of ‘edges’ is now officially banned on campus. Remember, curtains belong in the house, not on foreheads! Let’s keep our looks neat and school-ready.” The message was accompanied by a photo of a student wearing what the school described as an acceptable, natural hairstyle.

The move comes in response to the rising trend of girls styling their hairlines using gel to “lay down” fine baby hairs. According to the school, the policy aims to uphold its tradition of discipline and “standards of excellence.” However, the decision quickly drew criticism. Parents and social media users blasted the rule as outdated and discriminatory. The backlash prompted the school to disable comments on the announcement posts.

In a related case, Calabar High School in Kingston also faced controversy after locking out 34 boys for uniform and grooming violations, including missing shirt buttons and hair length issues. While some parents condemned these measures, others defended them, arguing that strict grooming policies encourage discipline, tidiness, and personal hygiene among students.