The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Kasese, Rt Rev Francis Aquirinus Kibira, has directed Catholic-founded schools to allow female A-level students to grow and maintain their natural hair, in a departure from the longstanding practice of requiring all learners to keep short hair.Ugandan schools have traditionally enforced strict grooming rules requiring both male and female students to keep their hair short. School administrators often justify the rules on grounds that maintaining different hairstyles can distract learners, consume time and money, and fuel competition and comparisons among students.However, Bishop Kibira says allowing female students in advanced-level classes to keep their natural hair will help prepare them for university and other institutions of higher learning, where they have greater freedom to make personal choices.He argues that A-level students are mature enough to make independent decisions, with teachers and other adults expected to guide them rather than impose unnecessary restrictions.Bishop Kibira on girls keeping hairThe bishop said he was extending this freedom to female students in the advanced classes to help them develop a sense of independence and responsibility before joining higher institutions of learning. Several elite schools in Kampala and Wakiso already allow their female students to have different hairstyles of their choice. Kibira also announced plans to buy suits for top student leaders in Catholic schools as a way of recognising their leadership and motivating other learners.On the welfare of female students, the bishop warned schools against harassment and exploitation, calling for the dismissal of teachers found engaging in such misconduct.He urged teachers to treat female learners with the same respect, care and protection they would extend to their own children, while guiding them on good conduct and positive values.Kibira also condemned the practice of demanding sexual favours from women and girls in exchange for access to services, employment and other opportunities, particularly in the health and education sectors.Kasese Secondary School head teacher Joseph Nzukwa said secondary schools play a critical role in shaping learners’ futures. He said the school would continue guiding students towards academic excellence and responsible living.A 2025 report by the Inspectorate of Government on corruption in local government recruitment highlighted concerns over demands for sexual favours from women and girls seeking healthcare, education and employment opportunities. The report noted that individuals who control access to such opportunities sometimes exploit their positions to demand sexual favours.The post Kasese Catholic schools allow A-level girls to keep natural hair appeared first on The Observer Media Ltd.