Public schools across have started enforcing strict new discipline rules that mandate military-style haircuts, perfect uniforms, and respectful greetings for teachers.
Some teachers’ unions have lamented the measures as marking the militarization of education, but the government of defends them as essential to restoring order in classrooms.
What are El Salvador’s schools required to do?
Students in El Salvador’s public schools must adhere to strict disciplinary rules starting this week based on an order from new Education Minister Karla Trigueros, a high-ranking military officer.
The minister’s memorandum states that, beginning August 20, principals “must greet students daily” at the entrance gates of the country’s more than 5,100 public schools.
It also indicates that principals must ensure that students attend classes in “clean and tidy uniforms,” with “appropriate haircuts,” and that they enter “in an orderly manner with respectful greetings.” For boys, the rules require hair to be closely cropped.
“Failure to comply with these provisions by principals will be considered a serious breach of administrative responsibility,” the minister warned.
Within the framework of strengthening discipline, order, and the personal presentation of the student community,” the new minister told school principals in a memorandum published on the social network X, “strict compliance” must be given to disciplinary rules.
Meanwhile, students are required to approach the entrance in an orderly fashion, greet their teachers respectfully, and maintain a posture of discipline as they enter.
The rules on appearance already existed, but weren’t enforced. The order caused lines to form in barbershops across the country and many students posted videos of themselves being shorn.
A later memorandum posted by Trigueros required all schools in El Salvador to stage weekly “Civic Mondays” throughout the school year to strengthen national identity, civic values, and discipline. The half-hour events were to include the entrance and removal of the national flag, singing of the anthem, a prayer to the flag, and a student presentation on a historical figure or event.
Officials said each school would receive $300 (€255) to cover expenses such as flags, gloves for flag bearers, and other related needs.
Why is this happening now?
Trigueros, a doctor and army captain, was appointed minister of education by on August 14. She published the memorandum on August 20.
Trigueros, who often appears in a camouflage uniform, has said the rules are part of a “strengthening of discipline.” Bukele echoed her stance on social media, writing that transforming schools was necessary to build “the El Salvador we dream of.”
One of El Salvador’s main teachers’ unions stated that Trigueros’ appointment will lead to a “regrettable militarization” of education.
The Salvadoran Teachers’ Front, in a statement last week, said her appointment was “absurd” and harkened back to the country’s decades under military dictatorship.
“We are concerned that the already exorbitant abuses of power against students will increase,” or that “workplace abuses against teachers will increase even further,” the union said in a statement.
Another union voiced support for the government’s order but called for changes to laws protecting children that it says hinder discipline.
“Many teachers, in a desire to achieve order and discipline in schools, were reported and many were punished,” said Paz Zetino Gutiérrez, secretary of the El Salvador Public School Teachers Union.
Bukele, who took office in 2019 and was , is popular for his “war” on gangs, which reduced criminal violence to historic lows. Many Salvadoran schools previously suffered harassment from these gangs.
The Bukele administration is accused of being . Last month, leading anti-corruption organization the Cristosal group announced it had been forced to leave El Salvador, citing “escalating repression.”
Edited by: Louis Oelofse
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