CHED to Review CNU Grooming Policy Amid Gender Fairness Concerns

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) will convene stakeholder discussions to examine Cebu Normal University's grooming policy, which has drawn criticism for being overly restrictive. CHED Commissioner Shirley Agrupis pledged to issue a memorandum outlining the agency's response during a House appropriations committee hearing on Thursday.

Akbayan party-list Representative Chel Diokno raised concerns that CNU's strict grooming standards may conflict with gender-fair principles and individual rights. The lawmaker's intervention prompted Agrupis to commit to facilitating talks with relevant groups, including university officials and stakeholders affected by the policy.

The move reflects growing scrutiny of dress codes and appearance requirements at educational institutions across the Philippines. CHED's intervention suggests the higher education regulator may seek to align institutional policies with national standards on gender equality and non-discrimination.

Details on the timeline for the memorandum and scheduled consultations were not immediately disclosed. The review is expected to balance institutional autonomy with compliance to contemporary standards on inclusivity and student rights.