Students at Godfrey Stewart High School who were told on Monday that their uniforms violated the school's dress code.
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Education Minister Fayval Williams
Education Minister Fayval Williams has endorsed the uniform dress code of Godfrey Stewart High School in Westmoreland.
On Monday, parents protested that their children were not allowed to remain at school due to issues with their uniform, with the incident leading to renewed calls for a national grooming policy for schools.
But the Education Minister has said she supports the rationale by the school's administration that girls wearing their skirts five inches above the ankles will protect them from sexual predators.
Speaking Thursday on the Morning Agenda on Power 106, Mrs Williams said the move was not unique, as at least three other schools had employed a similar strategy with positive results.
She said the discussion in the public sphere is focused on the wrong issue, noting that the outrage should instead be about increased reports that students of Godfrey Stewart High are being molested on public transportation.
While she admitted that the school's approach "might not be the most eloquent", Mrs Williams said she could understand the principal's move to address the issue of her female students being harassed.
She said the Ministry of Education will be working with Godfrey Stewart High School to "get to root" of the problem of sexual predators.
Mrs Williams sought to dispel the scepticism around whether the school did in fact have these issues, saying the ministry will give the principal "the benefit of the doubt, go in and assess the situation, and see what we can bring to bear so that our students can come to school safely".
She added that the ministry will ensure that a police report is filed.
No student asked to leave
The minister said based on the report from the school's principal, no student was asked to leave the compound on Monday, after they were found in violation of the dress code.
She said reports that students were locked out were false.
The Education Minister insisted she has to stand on the side of law and order, but she again encouraged parents to dialogue with schools about rules they are not in agreement with.
If schools are not receptive to these discussions, she urged parents to reach out to the ministry and "let us know if you have issues that you want to be taken up at the board level".
Mrs Williams has indicated that the Ministry of Education has no interest in managing the grooming policies of schools, but would prefer if principals and school boards manage their own affairs.
She said the ministry will continue to encourage change through consultation.
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