Ascot Primary gown row, Integrity Commission clash and award for economist Janal Mchuan

A national debate widened after reports that some pupils at Ascot Primary School in Portmore, St. Catherine, were allowed to wear graduation gowns while others attended in school uniform because of their PEP results. The day's major developments also included a fresh confrontation in the House of Representatives over the missing Integrity Commission annual report and national recognition for economist Janal Mchuan at the Governor General's Achievement Awards.

The Fuy Children Foundation called for the principal's immediate resignation, arguing that the graduation arrangement was unfair and harmful to children. Sabrina Barnes, chair of the foundation's Youth Policy Committee, said the decision damaged students' dignity and self-esteem and said video showed some children marching behind classmates without gowns or caps. Barnes rejected the reported argument that the move was meant to motivate better performance, saying schools already have awards, scholarships and other merit-based recognitions to reward achievement. She also said parents had complained before the ceremony, including to the Ministry of Education, and called for policy guidelines to govern graduations and other school activities affecting children.

Inside Parliament, Opposition members protested after the Integrity Commission's latest annual report was not tabled as expected, banging desks and intensifying a dispute over whether procedure had been followed. Leader of Government Business Floyd Green said the clash was not caused by the report itself but by an attempted intervention at a point on the agenda when the Speaker's permission was required. He said the rules were followed and argued that the matter could properly be raised later under public business. Senator Cleveland Tomlinson disputed that account, saying the Opposition believes Speaker Juliet Holness has applied the standing orders selectively and treated its members unfairly. Former House Speaker Lloyd B. Smith said the standing orders must be respected once the Speaker rules, though he added that both sides had turned the issue into unnecessary political theatre. Smith also said delays in tabling Integrity Commission reports weaken public confidence and can fuel suspicion.

The programme also highlighted Mchuan as one of this year's Governor General's Achievement Award recipients for St. James in the 25 to 35 age group. He said the recognition was emotional for him and his family, noting that he was the first in his immediate family to graduate from university. Mchuan said he left St. Catherine to pursue opportunity in Montego Bay, received help from mentors and supporters, and at times struggled to find a place to stay while studying. He said those experiences shaped his commitment to community work, youth mentorship and explaining economic issues in language ordinary Jamaicans can understand. His message to others was: "delay but not denied."