The Supreme Administrative Court ruled on March 5, 2025, that the Education Ministry’s long-standing regulation on student hairstyles is unconstitutional, citing violations of bodily autonomy. The ruling overturns a 1975 directive issued under Announcement 132 of the Revolutionary Council.
Effective immediately, the decision nullifies restrictions that prohibited male students from having beards or moustaches and mandated specific hairstyles, including ear-length hair or three-sided shaved cuts. It also addressed regulations concerning the use of cosmetics by female students.
The court determined that these rules failed to prioritize students’ best interests and could negatively impact gender-diverse individuals, thereby conflicting with the Child Protection Act.
