A Malawian high court has ordered that students with dreadlocks be admitted to public schools across the country.
The court, which was sitting in the eastern city of Zomba, was hearing a petition filed by two Rastafarian children who were denied admission to public schools in 2016 and 2010.
The two students, on the other hand, have been attending school since they obtained a court injunction.
Negotiations between Malawi’s Rastafarian community and the country’s attorney general to settle the matter failed, resulting in a lengthy legal battle, the outcome of which was announced on Monday.
Judge Zione Ntaba ruled that excluding children with dreadlocks from school was a violation of their right to an education.
“The Ministry of Education should issue a statement allowing all Rastafarian children with dreadlocks to attend class.” “The circular must be completed by June 30th,” Justice Ntaba directed.
Three human rights organizations filed the case on behalf of the country’s Rastafarian community.
