Mother Slams Teacher for Labelling Son’s Dreadlocks “Untidy” in Exam

• A mother vows to challenge her son’s school after a teacher marked an incorrect exam answer, claiming it reflects bias against his dreadlocks.

• The controversy arose due to a True/False question stating that keeping hair long is untidy.

A mother has vowed to take action against her son’s school after a teacher marked one of his exam answers incorrect, claiming bias against his dreadlocks.

The controversy began over a True/False question on an exam, which asked: “Keeping your hair long is untidy.” The 6-year-old boy, who proudly wears his natural hairstyle, answered “FALSE,” but the teacher marked it wrong.

The mother, deeply upset, shared her frustration on X (formerly Twitter), where she explained that her son, a Black African child, embraces his cultural identity through his dreadlocks. She argued that the teacher’s correction sends a harmful message about self-expression and cultural pride.

In her post, she wrote:
“My son has dreadlocks. One of their exam questions was in True/False format and it read ‘Keeping your hair long is untidy’ and he answered ‘FALSE’—and the teacher marked it wrong. I’m going to that school for that mark on Wednesday.”

She continued, expressing her outrage:
“Telling a 6-year-old Black African boy that his long African hair is untidy is NASTY work. Furthering the colonialist agenda in 2025 should be illegal. What?!”

The post quickly gained widespread attention online, with many users supporting the mother and voicing concerns about cultural bias and discrimination in schools.

Reacting to the post…

@Nyylliiak: “Why is that even on an exam? That’s an opinion based question not academic.”

@spkmadzime: “You will be creating an unnecessary negative vibe around your child at school. Children should be shielded from open ideological fights especially if it’s really about your views. One mark is nothing in the greater scheme of things. You can give him support at home without drama.”

@JonathanAbere: “Its being petty, let your son understand the world, in as much as you might be right their is some biasesness you will endure.”

@Hillary_moro: “Unfortunately, you will embarrassed with your son in tow to pick a second L. Open your mind.”

@braayo_: “Willingly Taking a child to a school system designed by the colonialist then complaining about how he’s being colonized 🤔 that’s rich.”

@dotlatisha: “I hate the bald head and stupid back cornrows for girls mindset ….I hope it ends.”