A mother has vowed to challenge her son’s school after a teacher marked one of his exam answers incorrect—an answer she believes reflects bias against his dreadlocks.
The controversy arose over a True/False question that read: “Keeping your hair long is untidy.”
Her son, who proudly wears dreadlocks, selected “False”—a response that the teacher marked as wrong.
The incident was shared by the mother on X (formerly Twitter), where she voiced her frustration.
She explained that her son, a 6-year-old Black African boy, embraces his natural hairstyle, and the teacher’s marking sends a harmful message about cultural identity and self-expression.
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 went on to say: “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 sparked attention online.
See some reactions below:
@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.”
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