It is perceived that if admitted to the Achimota School, the two boys with dreadlocks may influence their colleagues negatively.
This misconception is common among the Rastafarian Community.
But the former teachers of Tyrone Iras Marhguy, one of the boys with dreadlocks say otherwise.
According to his English Teacher, Christabel Agyemang, Tyrone was one of their best students.
“Tyrone was a good boy, respectful, clever and very intelligent. He was a very cool and calm boy. He couldn’t do any harm,” she said.
The journey for Tyrone Iras Marhguy begun at the Omega Schools in 2019 when he enrolled in JHS 2.
This was the fourth basic school he had been in as his family had lived in Kumasi, Aburi, Kasoa and now Ablekuma.
Omega Schools did not only accept Tyrone with his dreadlocks but his two Rastafarian sisters as well.
His ICT teacher, Daniel Nyarko shared some of his fond memories of Tyrone.
“There was a time I was teaching ICT and I had to combine both classes, and then I made an error in the lesson. But then, he came to me personally to prompt me, so I don’t feel bad for making a mistake. I was like ‘Wow! What a brilliant child he was!’”
On 9th March, Omega Schools honoured students across its network who excelled during the recent Basic Education Certificate Examination.
Unsurprisingly, Tyrone emerged as the top winner as he was the only one in the school to score aggregate 6 in the exam.
His teacher, Mr. Nyarko disclosed that he even had plans to represent the school of his dreams, the Achimota School at the National Science and Maths Quiz, but unfortunately, that will not happen.
“He was like when he goes to SHS, he’s going to make sure that his school is going to win the science and maths quiz because he wants to make the name of his school fly high. So I was so surprised that Achimota of all schools would do this to him,” he said.
Another teacher, Patience Debrah said she was heartbroken when she found out that he had been refused entry into the Achimota School because of his dreadlocks.
“He didn’t have any bad record. We think Achimota School should give him a chance and then they will attest to the fact that he’s really good.”
From teacher to teacher, it was clear they haven’t come to terms with how such a brilliant student would miss out on school because of his hair.
Although Tyrone’s schoolmates are now in Senior High School, he had close contact with his juniors because he was the boys’ school prefect. A form 3 student, Benedicta Appiah also spoke to his good character.
“He was very intelligent. I never saw him doing anything which wasn’t good.”
For the Managing Director of the school, Alain Guy Tanefo, it is time the Ghanaian Education System made away with school rules that choose physical appearance over intellect.
“Rules are made by human beings and should be interpreted and plied with common sense. It’s really unfortunate that people who deserve to be considered for their skills are instead judged by their personalities just because of their hairstyle. I think in the 21st century, we should be going past that,” said Mr. Tanefo