STUDENTS denounced the discrimination against a student of Eulogio ‘Amang’ Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology, which the school allegedly tolerates.

In a post by the Polytechnic University of the Philippines College of Communication Student Council, they said that the EARIST administration barred a student from enrolling due to her hairstyle.

A video circulated on social media last week which shows a transgender student cutting her hair, after being forced by enrollment personnel, a report from Rappler said.

“Kabilang sa pagkilos ang simbolikong pagsusunog ng mga estudyante sa EARIST Student Handbook, partikular ang parte kung saan isinasaad kung ano lamang ang maaaring isuot ng mga estudyante na nakabatay sa kanilang bayolohikal na kasarian,” the council said.

“Krusyal ang isang malaya at mapagpalayang pamantasan para sa ikabubuti at ikauunlad ng sangkaestudyantehan. Hindi ito makakamtan kung patuloy na sasagasaan ang karapatan ng mga estudyante na maipahayag ang kanilang sarili—sa ekspresyon, sa pananalita, at maging sa kanilang pananamit,” it added.

The issue has since reached the Commission on Higher Education, as Chairperson Prospero De Vera III said that he met with the administration of EARIST to discuss the matter.

Both parties agreed that students would be allowed to enroll regardless of hair length.