El Salvador is enforcing strict student dress codes to bring discipline back to schools

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) — Principals this week in El Salvador began greeting students individually at school gates, not only to wish them “buenos días,” but also to inspect their haircuts and school uniforms.

President Nayib Bukele has expanded his efforts to remake his country to students’ appearance as part of bringing discipline back to schools, once a recruiting ground for the country’s powerful gangs.

His newly appointed education minister, Karla Trigueros, is an Army captain and physician who visits the country’s schools wearing fatigues.

She sent a memo Monday to all school principals saying not only would they be held to a high standard as role models for students, but they must stand at the gate looking for clean and neat uniforms, “appropriate” haircuts and formal greet