Kerala Child Rights Commission Calls For Ban On Lipstick, Mobile Phone Use In Schools: Allows Bag Checks
The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has recommended restrictions on mobile phone use and the use of cosmetics, including lipstick, by students in schools across the state. The guidelines also address school uniforms, hairstyles, bag inspections and disciplinary measures, while directing school authorities to protect students’ dignity and self-respect.
The order was issued by Commission member Dr F Wilson while considering petitions from students seeking permission to grow their hair, wear skin-fit trousers and accessories such as earrings and rings.
The students had also challenged bag inspections and the confiscation of mobile phones in schools.
The Commission said students may bring mobile phones to school in emergencies with their parents’ knowledge, but the devices must remain switched off during school hours.
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Schools should provide secure facilities to keep the phones until the end of the school day.
The directive aims to prevent classroom distractions and ensure that mobile phones do not interfere with students’ learning and discipline.
The Commission has called for restrictions on the use of lipstick and excessive luxury grooming products by students on school premises.
The order also addresses haircuts and grooming, stating that schools can establish uniform standards for students.
The directive follows concerns over students bringing cosmetics and using them during school hours.
However, claims that particular cosmetics directly cause cancer or other serious illnesses should not be treated as established medical findings without supporting scientific evidence.
The Commission has permitted school authorities to inspect students’ bags to check for narcotic substances and other prohibited or potentially harmful items.
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However, the checks must be conducted without violating students’ dignity, self-respect or rights. The Commission has emphasised that inspections should not become a means of humiliating or harassing children.
The Commission has also made clear that schools must not publicly humiliate students, subject them to mental harassment or remove them from classrooms over violations involving uniforms, hairstyles or grooming.
Disciplinary measures must respect students’ dignity and must not deprive them of their right to education.
The guidelines seek to balance school discipline with the protection of children’s rights.
The Commission has asked the government to respond to its recommendations, and the directives address how schools should handle mobile phones, grooming standards and suspected prohibited items on campus.
