In Malawi, the High Court in the city of Zomba has ordered that all learners with dreadlocks be admitted to public schools across the country. The ruling followed a petition brought by two Rastafarian children who were denied admission to public schools in 2016 and 2010.
The two learners have been attending school after obtaining a court injunction. Despite talks between the Rastafarian community and the country’s attorney general to resolve the matter, the case has been tied up in legal proceedings for some time.
On Monday, Judge Zione Ntaba ruled that denying children with dreadlocks the opportunity to attend school is a violation of their right to education. Justice Ntaba ordered the Ministry of Education to issue a statement allowing all Rastafarian children with dreadlocks to attend class by June 30th.
The case was filed by three human rights organisations on behalf of the Rastafarian community in the country.
