Court in Malawi lifts ban on public schools. More than a thousand children can resume their studies.

Ali Nansolo, the father of the child banned from school because he has dreadlocks, pondered several times whether he should cut off his 15-year-old son's dreadlocks. According to the father, for his community, dreadlocks are a symbol of their way of life and religion, even though they are forbidden in public schools.

Ali even contacted the Ministry of Education, but was advised to cut his son's hair.

This all changed at the beginning of the month. The country's Supreme Court ruled that the ban jeopardized children's right to education and, by June 30, more than a thousand children will be able to return to school. This is the result of a six-year legal battle in the country.

The Rastafarian community is a minority in Malawi. Nansolo describes the frustrating discrimination of not being able to find work. "The business world thinks that being Rastafari is associated with criminality, but we are not like that."

The Guardian interviewed another father, Mkandawire, who has campaigned for several years for his sons Uhuru, eight, and Urunji, 14, to return to public school. Now, together with other parents, he is asking the Malawian government for financial compensation for the youngsters.

"We're not fighting with the government, or throwing stones, but [trying] to bring them to their senses," said Mkandawire.

Both parents are now celebrating the victory for their children and their right to study. (cnn)