In a bizarre case that’s left many scratching their heads, a school director and headmaster in Zimbabwe are facing the music after allegedly banning nine Ordinary Level students from writing their exams over “inappropriate” haircuts. The pair recently appeared before the Mbare Magistrates’ Court and were released on bail, with a return date of December 9.

The drama unfolded when the students, who had already written the first ZIMSEC Family and Religious Studies Ordinary Level paper, were denied re-entry into the exam room for the second paper due to their haircuts. By the time they returned, a whopping 55 minutes of the exam had elapsed, way beyond the allowed 15-minute late-entry window.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister Torerai Moyo has clarified that there’s no government policy dictating specific haircuts for students. “Students must be smartly dressed, and the haircut should reflect that they are learners,” he said, adding that the nine candidates will be graded using an aggregate score.

The incident has sparked outrage, with many questioning the school’s priorities. “Who needs a haircut ban when exams are on the line?” asked one irate parent.

As the school heads face the courts, one can’t help but wonder what other absurd rules might be lurking in Zimbabwe’s schools.
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