‘Studs Yes, Earrings No’: Students In Malta Allowed To Wear Some Piercings
Students are no longer allowed to wear earrings to school but they will still be allowed to wear studs.
“Parents have told me they want their children to wear studs in their ears, particularly if their ears are pierced so the piercing doesn’t close up,” Education Minister Evarist Bartolo said in a Facebook post. “I have nothing against allowing students to wear studs (buttons) that aren’t dangerous to them as earrings can be. Studs yes, earrings no. I have no intention of creating any conflicts in schools.”
The Education Ministry announced an earring ban this week after a mother pointed out the discriminatory policy of allowing girls to wear earrings, and not boys… even though, technically, under Maltese regulations, neither girls nor boys should have been allowed to wear anything.
Bartolo said the the ban had nothing to do with gender equality issues and instead was being done for health and safety reasons.
The ban has proven controversial, with some people accusing the Education Ministry of having his priorities wrong and questioning how it will be enforced. However, others argued that abiding by school rules is crucial to disciplining children.
Do you agree with this new school policy?
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