Education Ministry Rebukes Ascot Primary Over Graduation Gown Ban for Non-Proficient PEP Students

KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information has issued a sharp rebuke to the leadership of Ascot Primary School in Portmore after accounts emerged that pupils who had not achieved proficiency in the 2026 Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examinations were not allowed to wear graduation gowns. Those same students reportedly received unequal treatment during the school's graduation event.

Officials at the Ministry characterised the reported conduct 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 released on Sunday, Acting Chief Education Officer Terry Ann Thomas-Gayle said the Ministry had already spoken with principal Mark Jackson, who offered an account of how the situation unfolded. Jackson is said to have maintained that the move followed discussions 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.

The acting chief education officer said that, on further reflection, Jackson had voiced regret over the "unintended outcomes" and, in his own words, stated: "where any of my students have been wounded or scarred, I am woefully sorry and wholeheartedly apologise for this unintended outcome".

Thomas-Gayle made clear her displeasure with the school's decision to move ahead in that fashion. She restated that graduation events ought to honour each child's completion of primary schooling.

Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon, said every pupil is entitled to dignity and respect, no matter how they performed on examinations.

"Every child matters. A student's PEP results must never determine whether he or she is made to feel worthy of celebrating an important educational milestone," she said.

Morris Dixon noted that the secondary pathways listed on PEP reports are meant to guide learning plans so students can strengthen their progress along the way.

"Every child is different and should be supported as per their differences to enable them to shine and thrive. This unfortunate turn of events should be a teachable moment for all educators and stakeholders who must always make decisions in the best interest of the learners," she added.

The minister stressed that Jamaica's education system must keep opening doors of hope and opportunity for all learners.

"Our schools must be places where children are encouraged to strive for excellence while knowing they are valued, respected and supported. No child should experience humiliation, exclusion or discrimination in an institution entrusted with nurturing their development. We expect every school leader to uphold the highest standards of compassion, fairness and inclusion," she said.

She cautioned that the Ministry would not tolerate practices that harm students' emotional well-being or breach their right to fair treatment.

The stance taken by Ascot Primary's leadership has triggered broad public backlash, with critics labelling the approach heartless, insensitive and unconscionable.