According to Stubbs (2008), inclusive education is not a novel concept. Inclusion has long been a communal practice. It is essential to recognize and build on this wherever possible to make inclusion sustainable with community ownership and engagement. However, as society evolves, it appears that the opposite is occurring LGBTQ+ people face discrimination for their physical appearance in schools, which are supposed to be their "second homes."" is one of their frequently raised issues. Because members of the LGBTQ+ community embody both the masculine and feminine, I believe that schools should accept children's hairstyles and haircuts. Meanwhile, this issue triggered when a hair salon posted before-and-after photos of LGBTQ+ teenagers having their hair cut to comply with their school's policy have sparked a debate about discrimination and self-identity. The post sparked a range of reactions on social media, including from members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies. Some people claimed that cutting the teenagers' hair was unnecessary and could harm their self-esteem. “What is wrong with our hair? What is wrong when a transgender woman wants to wear a girl’s uniform or a transgender man refuses to wear a skirt? It's as simple as following the rules," Mela Franco Habijan, Miss Trans Global 2020, said in one of her interviews. "However, we see no bias in the way the uniform policy is now being implemented." The phrase "follow the rules" is straightforward. But why are we unable to implement DepEd's Gender Responsive Basic Education Policy?", in which it was claimed that the majority of LGBTQ+ members were required to follow a specific sex-based haircut guideline. But, if we go deeper, physical characteristics should not affect a student's right to an education, because society is changing and becoming more inclusive. The DEPED Order No. 32 Series of 2017—also known as the "Gender-Responsive Basic Education Policy"—states that the Department must incorporate the principles of gender equality, gender equity, gender sensitivity, non-discrimination, and human rights in the delivery and administration of basic education. Removing LGBTQ+ students' rights in schools also means disobeying this order. Furthermore, Marisol, a transgender woman, stated in one of Human Rights Watch (HRW) reports, "That happened to me many times. In high school, if you had long hair, the teacher would bring you up to the front of the class and cut your hair in front of everyone. I felt awful about it. I sobbed each time." Public humiliation was their method of "disciplining" them to adhere to such norms. As a result, it influences LGBTQ+ students' mental health, which can occasionally result in depression and anxiety because of bullying and physical assault, loss of self-confidence, poor academic performance, and their socializing game. They either stop going to school or risk being expelled for violating the "rules and regulations," which I believe exclude them. In conclusion, it is critical to allow students to freely express themselves both inside and outside of the classroom, as doing so not only boosts self-esteem but also increases productivity in terms of showing up to class and learning. Haircut policies should be repealed or rewritten to include not only LGBTQ+ students, but also students of other races, cultures, and nationalities. Schools and educational institutions must recognize that there are many distinct people in the world, each with their own physical characteristics, who attend school and demonstrate their true selves as free individuals.

-oOoThe author is Teacher I at Sta. Maria National High School