Melissa Woods, mother of 14-year-old Taylah, says her daughter was “extremely upset” when her armpits were shaved in front of two other girls in a classroom.

“I didn’t understand why they had to do it,” Ms Woods told radio station 3AW yesterday.

The teenager, who has a disability, had been enrolled in a life skills program at Wangaratta District Specialist School.

The teacher told Ms Woods that her daughter would get picked on if she didn’t shave, she said.

“I spoke to the teacher the very next day and she told me that she has the right to do it, it’s part of the curriculum.”

But Ms Woods hadn’t given permission, saying her daughter had previously told her that she didn’t want to shave.

“That’s invading her rights as a person to decide whether or not she wants to get it done or not.”

She wrote to the school principal, who wrote back explaining it was part of the curriculum and she regretted not having a permission slip.

Ms Woods has since written to the school’s regional director.