School Boards Moving To Review Head Lice Policies

The Toronto District School Board ("TDSB") has begun the process of reconsidering its strict policy on requiring children with head lice to remain home from school.¹ TDSB spokesperson Ryan Bird described the reconsideration process as geared towards inclusion in the classroom:

"I think that many people believe that as long as it's being treated, that shouldn't be a barrier to come to school for days at a time."

Commonly known as "no nit" policies, the strict exclusion of children with head lice from classes has been adopted by numerous schools throughout Canada, Australia and the United States. Such policies maintain strict caution against the spread of lice – requiring children found with traces of live head lice or lice eggs in their hair to remain at home until their scalps are completely lice-free.² In many cases, children are sent home regardless of whether they are found with one louse or many, and regardless of whether the lice are viable or not. Even a