El Salvador's Schools Tighten Dress Codes Under Military Directive, Sparking Controversy

In San Salvador, Oscar Melara, the director of a technical school, diligently monitors students' adherence to the dress code at the entrance each day. He scrutinizes for any violations, including missing monograms or name tags on shirts, unclean shoes, and unacceptable hairstyles. This strict enforcement is a direct result of a directive issued by the new education minister, military captain Karla Trigueros.

While dress codes have been a standard practice in El Salvador's public schools for a considerable time, Trigueros's directive empowers school administrators to penalize non-compliant students by lowering their grades or assigning community service. Melara expressed his appreciation for the minister's initiative, stating that it enables them to improve and correct the students' behavior. Local media outlets documented the surge in business for barber shops, as students rushed to get haircuts to meet the new requirements.

President Nayib Bukele publicly supported the new guidelines on X, which prohibit hairstyles like the mohawk and the "Edgar cut." Trigueros has personally visited schools, often appearing in military attire and with her hair styled in a slicked-back bun. However, her appointment has faced opposition from teachers' groups. The Salvadoran Teachers' Front criticized the appointment of a military official to lead education, calling it "absurd" and reminiscent of the country's past under military rule.

Bukele, in sharing the memorandum on X, emphasized the need for a complete overhaul of the education system in the Central American nation. He enjoys significant popularity in El Salvador due to his crackdown on gangs, which has led to a decrease in crime rates. However, human rights organizations have raised concerns about the potential for innocent individuals being caught up in the crackdown. Furthermore, his party recently approved a constitutional reform that removes presidential term limits, raising concerns about his potential to remain in power indefinitely.