Inappropriate!

KINGSTON, Jamaica - The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information has strongly denounced the actions of the leadership of Ascot Primary School in Portmore, following reports that students who were not ‘proficient’ in the 2026 Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examinations were denied the opportunity to wear graduation gowns. These students were also subjected to differential treatment during the school's graduation ceremony. The Ministry has described the reported actions as “inappropriate, contrary to the principles of equity, inclusion, positive discipline, and inconsistent with the standards of care for our children especially at the age of 11 or 12”. In a statement on Sunday, Acting Chief Education Officer, Terry Ann Thomas-Gayle said the Ministry has engaged with the principal, Mark Jackson, who provided an explanation for the unfortunate turn of events. Jackson reportedly claimed that the decision was arrived at after consultation with parents. "The exclusion of students from wearing graduation gowns on the basis of academic performance was not intended to cause public humiliation as this is fundamentally inconsistent with the values and principles of our school. It was an agreed position following a meeting with the parents especially for those who did not meet the criteria to participate in the graduation exercise,” Jackson reportedly told Thomas-Gayle. According to the acting chief education officer, upon reflection, Jackson has expressed regrets for the “unintended outcomes” as espoused in his own words, “where any of my students have been wounded or scarred, I am woefully sorry and wholeheartedly apologise for this unintended outcome”. Thomas-Gayle emphasised her disappointment in the decision of the leadership of the school to have proceeded in this manner and reiterated that graduation ceremonies should celebrate every child's successful completion of primary education. Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon, said every child deserves...