(Trinidad Guardian) Students attending Penal Rock Presbyterian School will not be dressed in Indian attire today on the eve of Divali.
Several parents were upset yesterday when the school informed them that the Ministry of Education’s (MoE) school supervisor had sent a memo indicating that the children were to attend school in their school uniforms, disrupting a plan for the children to dress in traditional East Indian clothing today.
Many parents had already bought outfits for their children following a PTA meeting on October 24, when the principal had indicated that the children could wear Indian attire today. Last year, students were allowed to attend school dressed in Indian attire with no complications.
A school official said the memo was sent to schools within the St Patrick district. Guardian Media obtained a copy of the memo reminding principals and teachers that the ministry’s policy regarding pupils wearing school uniforms for all school activities remains in effect.
“Any deviations require that pupils enter the school compound in school uniform, change into appropriate attire for the event, and then change back into said school uniform before dismissal and departing the school compound.”
The memo further stated that principals are held accountable for the physical safety of pupils and as representatives of the ministry, must ensure adherence to established policies, guidelines and instructions.
Speaking on behalf of several parents yesterday, a spokesperson who wished to remain anonymous questioned why the memo was sent to only certain schools, as there were schools in other educational districts that allowed students to dress in Indian attire.
“This is very strange and unfair to our children. Many parents are very upset and seeking clarity on this matter.”
She said the school has more than 190 students and it doesn’t make sense for the children to come to school in their uniforms, change into Indian attire and then change back into their uniforms.
“The principal said that is an option but other issues can be raised with children changing in the washroom and nudity and doesn’t want to open another can of worms, so the children will have to wear their uniform tomorrow.”
An official from the Education Ministry stated that this policy was nothing new and applied to all school districts. The official said it was implemented for security and identification purposes.
The spokesperson, however, said the policy may not be new but it is the first time that it was being enforced at their school.
“Some parents even question whether this is discrimination. They are saying that the children should wear their uniform so they could be identified, this really does not make sense,” she lamented.
Education Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly could not be reached for comment on the issue yesterday.
