Human Rights Commission: School Rules Excessively Restricting Student Appearance, Including Hair, Violate Fundamental Rights

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] The National Human Rights Commission has ruled that school regulations excessively restricting students' hairstyles and attire constitute a violation of fundamental rights such as self-determination.

On the 23rd, the Human Rights Commission recommended that the principals of 31 schools, including Principal A of High School A, improve their school regulations. Among them, 27 principals were advised to stop imposing penalty points or conducting guidance and supervision based on these regulations. The Commission also recommended that the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education conduct an on-site inspection of the current status of appearance restrictions in its jurisdiction schools and oversee the revision of related regulations.

The Human Rights Commission received numerous complaints indicating that schools in Seoul restrict students' hairstyles and attire through school regulations and investigated the operational status of the relevant schools. As a result, it was confirmed that 31 schools excessively restrict students' hairstyles and attire through their regulations, and 27 of these schools apply these regulations to impose penalty points or conduct guidance and supervision on students.

Some schools completely prohibit hair dyeing or perming and ban all types of accessories, including those with religious significance. Additionally, it was found that more than ten items are restricted, such as requiring students to wear the full uniform jacket before being allowed to wear outerwear.