Students in El Salvador are now banned from sporting mohawks and the popular “Edgar cut” hairstyle after new Education Minister, military captain Karla Trigueros, issued sweeping dress code directives that tighten discipline in public schools.
Under the order, teachers and administrators are empowered to penalize students who show up with improper attire, dirty shoes, missing name tags, or unapproved hairstyles. Punishments can include grade deductions or mandatory community service.
At a technical school in San Salvador, director Oscar Melara checks uniforms at the gate each morning. “We thank the minister, because this allows us to correct and better our students,” he said. Local media reported barbershops filling up with students rushing to comply, some offering haircut discounts to meet the sudden demand.
President Nayib Bukele praised the move on social media, sharing a message applauding the ban on mohawks and the “Edgar cut,” a style popular among young Latinos in the U.S. and Central America. Trigueros herself has toured schools in military fatigues, wearing her hair in a strict bun.
The appointment of a military officer to lead the Education Ministry has sparked backlash from teachers’ unions. The Salvadoran Teachers’ Front called it “absurd,” warning it revives memories of the country’s years under military dictatorship.
Bukele has defended Trigueros and the directive as part of a broader overhaul of education, arguing El Salvador must embrace stricter standards. His government remains popular after a gang crackdown that drastically reduced crime, but rights groups say thousands of innocent people have been swept up in mass arrests.
Critics also point to Bukele’s growing consolidation of power. Earlier this year, his party approved a constitutional reform scrapping presidential term limits, a change that could allow him to remain in office indefinitely.
Written By Rodney Mbua
