At the beginning of each school year in Panama, Afro-descendant children and youth face difficulties with enrollment in educational centers due to discriminatory rules, especially related to natural hair. Alberto Barrow, director of the Panama Afro Observatory, has publicly denounced this situation, highlighting that no internal regulations of a school can be above the Constitution or the law.
Barrow has pointed out that cases of discrimination are constantly repeating when classes start, reaching the extreme of denying attendance despite being enrolled. Legal action has been taken against the schools and officials responsible for these actions, as warned on social media. The Observatory is committed to defending the rights of Afro-descendant students and urges authorities to act firmly to prevent future discrimination in the educational system.
Resolution No. AL-887 of March 23, 2023, from the Ministry of Education prohibits discrimination against Afro-descendant students for wearing natural hair in educational centers. Through social media, cases of discrimination have been exposed, such as a teacher trying to prohibit a student from having braided hair and another case where a Muslim student was prevented from wearing her hijab at school.
Despite some cases being resolved through dialogue, concerning situations persist, including the refusal to accept students based on creed, race, or religion, which violates human rights. Private schools have been reported for acting as if they are above the law, going so far as to threaten to deny classes to a student with braided hair. The Ministry of Education is urged to ensure compliance with current regulations and to intervene in these cases to prevent discrimination in educational centers.
