El Salvador’s public schools are bracing for a new era of discipline as the government, under the direction of newly appointed Education Minister Karla Trigueros, prepares to enforce daily inspections of students’ uniforms and haircuts starting August 20, 2025. The sweeping change, announced in a memo last week, will affect more than 1.2 million students across the country’s 5,100-plus public schools, thrusting the education system into the spotlight and sparking a fierce debate about the role of the military in civilian life, the meaning of order, and the future of public education.
Trigueros, a 35-year-old army captain and medical doctor from Sonzacate, was sworn in as education minister on August 14, 2025, by President Nayib Bukele. Her appointment, marked by a ceremony where she donned her camouflage military uniform, immediately set the tone for what was to come. Bukele, whose presidency has been defined by a relentless crackdown on gangs and a drive for order, praised Trigueros as the right leader to prepare Salvadoran youth for the challenges ahead, stating that transforming education is essential to building the El Salvador they envision.
In her first major directive, Trigueros issued a memo on August 18, calling for strict rules on student presentation. The guidelines are clear: every morning, principals must stand at the school gates, inspecting each student for clean and orderly uniforms, appropriate haircuts, and respectful greetings. The memo, which Trigueros posted to social media platform X, explained, "Within the framework of strengthening discipline, order, and the personal presentation of the student community, schools must enforce strict compliance with the new norms."
Principals are not only responsible for checking students but must also serve as models of discipline for teachers and staff, fostering an atmosphere of respect and positive interaction. The directive warns that failure to comply with these new standards could result in serious penalties for school leaders. As the school year continues, principals now bear the direct responsibility for ensuring daily compliance with these regulations.
Since her appointment, Trigueros has hit the ground running—quite literally. She’s been touring schools across the country, often clad in her military fatigues, to assess the needs of various educational facilities firsthand. Her visits have included stops in the eastern regions and Guazapa, where she promised quick fixes for rundown facilities. She’s also checked on shelters and schools affected by recent heavy rains, focusing on immediate interventions to improve conditions for students and teachers alike.
President Bukele has been vocal in his support for these changes, sharing Trigueros’ social media posts and underscoring the importance of a complete transformation of the educational system. "To build the El Salvador we dream of, it is clear that we must completely transform our educational system," Bukele wrote, echoing his long-standing emphasis on order and discipline—values that have helped him win public favor, especially following his successful anti-gang campaign that has reduced crime rates to historic lows since he took office in 2019 and was reelected in 2024.
For many, the new rules represent a continuation of Bukele’s broader strategy to impose order and stability in a country long plagued by violence and gang activity. Schools, in particular, have been vulnerable; many were once under constant threat from gangs, making daily life for students and teachers fraught with danger. The government’s crackdown has brought a measure of security, but the latest move to enforce military-style discipline in schools has touched a nerve among educators and civil society groups.
Teachers’ unions have responded with alarm. The Salvadoran Teachers’ Front, one of the country’s largest teachers’ organizations, immediately voiced its disapproval following Trigueros’ appointment. In a Facebook post, the union warned, "We are concerned that the already exorbitant abuses of power against students will increase, or that workplace abuse against teachers will worsen." The Frente Magisterial Salvadoreño went further, describing the appointment as "aberrant" and expressing fears that it signals a creeping militarization of public education—a move they argue could worsen the decline of public schools and even pave the way for privatization, making schools less safe for children.
These concerns are not unfounded. The country’s education system has long struggled with the legacy of violence, underfunding, and resource shortages. Many teachers and parents worry that a focus on superficial order—clean uniforms and tidy haircuts—may distract from deeper issues facing public schools, such as inadequate infrastructure, outdated materials, and the need for more holistic support for students and staff. Critics argue that discipline should not come at the expense of creating a nurturing and inclusive learning environment.
Yet, there is also a segment of the population that welcomes the new measures. Supporters point to the dramatic drop in crime rates under Bukele’s leadership, crediting his tough stance for making schools safer and communities more stable. They argue that instilling discipline and respect in schools is a logical next step in the country’s broader transformation, and see Trigueros’ background as a military officer and doctor as an asset—someone who understands the importance of order but also the value of health and well-being.
Trigueros herself is something of a trailblazer. She entered the military academy at just 16 and later earned a medical degree on a scholarship, rising to the rank of captain while leading national health initiatives, including El Salvador’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign. Her dual expertise in health and military discipline is rare in Salvadoran politics, and her rapid ascent has made her a figure to watch. During her school visits, she has emphasized the importance of listening to local needs and promised swift action to address urgent problems—statements that have resonated with some school communities eager for change.
Still, the debate over the new rules is far from settled. As the daily inspections begin, all eyes will be on how principals and teachers implement the guidelines, how students respond, and whether the promised improvements in discipline lead to better educational outcomes—or simply more tension and resistance. The government’s willingness to impose penalties on school leaders who fail to comply adds another layer of pressure, raising questions about the balance between accountability and autonomy in the education system.
As El Salvador embarks on this experiment in discipline, the stakes are high—not just for the nation’s students and teachers, but for the broader question of what kind of society the country wants to build. Whether the new rules foster the order and respect Bukele’s administration touts, or fuel further controversy and division, remains to be seen. For now, the country watches, waits, and hopes that its schools can become places of both safety and learning once more.