A school located on Indonesia’s primary island has found itself embroiled in controversy as its headmaster confirmed that over a dozen girls had their hair partially shaved following allegations of improper wear of Islamic hijab headscarves. This incident has ignited discussions surrounding the enforcement of mandatory dress codes, even as Indonesia had moved to prohibit such regulations in schools in 2021.
Throughout conservative regions within Indonesia, activists assert that both Muslim and non-Muslim girls have been compelled to wear the hijab for years. The nation, home to a population of 270 million, undertook the decision last year to ban schools from imposing obligatory dress codes.
At the state-owned junior high school SMPN 1 in the East Java town of Lamongan, an unidentified teacher shaved the hair of 14 Muslim girls last Wednesday, as disclosed by headmaster Harto, who, in line with local custom, employs only one name.
Harto confirmed that the school extended apologies, subsequently suspending the teacher involved in the incident. The girls in question were observed to not be wearing inner caps beneath their headscarves, which left their hairline visible.
Harto clarified, “There is no obligation for female students to wear the hijab, but they were advised to wear inner caps for a neat appearance.” He conveyed to AFP, “We apologized to the parents and after mediation, we reached a common understanding.”
The school has committed to offering psychological support to the affected students. “We realized that we had to resolve it carefully not to bring prolonged effects to the children,” he added.
Rights organizations have emphatically called for the teacher’s dismissal. Andreas Harsono, Indonesia researcher at Human Rights Watch, highlighted the severity of the incident, stating, “The Lamongan case is probably the most intimidating ever in Indonesia.”
He further added, “No teachers who have cut their students’ hair have ever been sanctioned. The education office in Lamongan should sanction this teacher, at least removing her from the school and assign psychologists to deal with the trauma among the victims.”
A 2021 report by the same organization pointed out instances where schoolgirls had their hijabs cut for improper wear or faced penalties and even expulsion for not wearing hijabs.
Indonesia, a nation that recognizes six major religions, has grappled with concerns related to escalating religious intolerance, despite being a Muslim-majority country.
The hijab debate first captured headlines in 2021 when a Christian student in West Sumatra was coerced into wearing a hijab, a case that officials characterized as merely the “tip of the iceberg.”
In early 2021, the government issued a decree granting girls and women in state schools the right to choose their attire, effectively prohibiting schools from imposing religious dress codes. However, this decision was subsequently overturned by the country’s Supreme Court a few months later, contending that individuals under 18 lacked the right to dictate their own school clothing choices.
