Two Afro-descendant students from the Abel Bravo College in the province of Colón denounced alleged acts of racial discrimination by the school administration. They reported facing restrictions, summonses, and pressure they consider arbitrary and racially biased, related to the use of their natural hair and the right to wear the school uniform under equal conditions for the 2026 school year. The students are Kelvin Pinilla (16) and Maykel Góndola (17).
Kelvin Pinilla recounted: "We experienced a situation of racial discrimination because of our hair. Maybe we didn't go through the same thing, but we went through similar situations, especially students with dark skin or afro hair." His situation began after student protests demanding that Kelvin's rights be respected and that racial discrimination at the school cease.
Maykel Góndola stated that after participating in the protests, he was reprimanded for his curly hair, and his mother was summoned to a meeting that turned out to be irregular. "My mom went to the summons, but the director never showed up. We are asking for equality," they both agreed. The students have been denied enrollment for the upcoming 2026 school year unless they stop wearing their natural afro and curly hair.
In the coming days, the students will go to the Ministry of Education in Panama to continue their demands. They are seeking legal, social, and media support to have their situation evaluated by educational authorities and human rights organizations. "We are not asking for privileges. We are asking for respect and to be treated the same as everyone else," they emphasized.
