Haircuts, uniforms, and discipline: How El Salvador's schools became the new front in Bukele's war on crime and what the US can learn

In an effort to restore discipline and reduce gang influence, El Salvador has begun enforcing strict dress codes and grooming standards in schools nationwide. Students are now subject to uniform inspections and haircut checks at school gates, as part of a wider campaign led by President Nayib Bukele aimed at transforming the country's educational system.

The initiative is overseen by the country's new education minister, Karla Trigueros, a former Army captain and physician, who has instructed principals to stand at school entrances to personally greet students and inspect their appearance. These measures follow a period during which schools were known as recruitment grounds for powerful gangs in El Salvador.

Discipline at school gates
Principals across the country have been ordered to ensure students wear clean, neat uniforms, have "appropriate" haircuts, and offer formal greetings. According to a memo issued by Minister Trigueros, failure to comply will be considered a "serious lack of administrative responsibility," as reported by the Associated Press.

The memo has led to increased demand at barbershops nationwide, with many boys queuing for neat "high and tight" haircuts. Social media videos of students showing off their haircuts have also circulated widely.

President Bukele, who initially adopted a casual style during his first term, has taken on a more formal appearance in his second term. On social media platform X, he shared the memo and wrote: "To build the El Salvador we dream of, it's clear we must completely transform our educational system," as quoted by the Associated Press.

Parents support the new measures
Some parents have expressed support for the new rules. María Barrera, a mother, said she believes the dress codes are beneficial for "straightening them out from a young age," according to the Associated Press. María Segovia, who recently took her son to the barber, told reporters, "I didn't know, but my son came clean, though a little hairy... We're going to comply because it's good."

Ramon Valladares, another parent, highlighted the past gang presence in schools. He said, "Now that the government is putting things in order, maybe people might not like it... But there are some families like ours who are open-minded about any situation. So for me, it's great," as reported by the Associated Press.

Discipline amid gang crackdown
El Salvador's government has imprisoned more than 88,000 suspected gang members in a crackdown that also includes schools. In June, over 40 students were arrested at public schools in the capital, San Salvador, amid claims that gangs were attempting to reestablish influence through educational institutions, the Associated Press reported.

Teachers' unions have voiced cautious support for the new guidelines but called for adjustments to child protection laws that currently limit disciplinary actions in schools. Paz Zetino Gutiérrez, secretary of the El Salvador Public School Teachers Union, noted, "Many teachers, in a desire to achieve order and discipline in schools, were reported and many were punished," according to the Associated Press.

Human rights concerns and resource challenges
Criticism has come from human rights advocates. Lawyer Jayme Magaña warned that the strict dress codes could burden families with limited resources, stating on social media that if mothers cannot afford barbers or basic necessities like electricity and water, enforcing such standards could create hardships, as quoted by the Associated Press.

President Bukele responded to critics on X, dismissing "haters" and sharing a video of students asking Minister Trigueros for her autograph, as reported by the Associated Press.

What the US can learn
The enforcement of strict dress codes and grooming standards in El Salvador contrasts with ongoing debates in the US, where similar policies have sparked controversies over cultural identity and racial fairness. While El Salvador's approach is part of a broader state-led effort to combat gang violence, US schools face challenges balancing discipline with respect for student rights under current laws.

The experiences in El Salvador may provide lessons for the US as it considers how to address discipline and safety in schools while managing community concerns.

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