Local activist group, Rights Bahamas plans to take legal action over children reportedly denied schooling.

In a statement, Rights Bahamas Education Committee Chairman, Dawrin Thompson argued that despite Education Minister, Jeffery Lloyd’s decree that no child in The Bahamas shall be denied the right to an education, certain public schools continue to demand proof of status from students.

This he said constitutes a direct violation of the policy outlined by the Minister who told educators “you have no right, no authority to deny anyone access to our education system.

“You cannot ask them whether they are here legally or illegally, what their status is or not.”

The Minister was alluding to the fact that any effort to impede any student’s access to the classroom violates both The Bahamas Education Act and the constitution.

It is also a fundamental breach of The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, article 26.

The group said it intends to hold those who breach this right responsible, and is calling upon all schools in The Bahamas to cease and desist demanding proof of status at registration immediately.

Rights Bahamas is also calling upon the Department of Education to uphold its Minister’s stated policy, the laws of The Bahamas and the international agreements to which the country is signatory.

The group argues that if this problem is not rectified, it could result in many children being unable to register in time for class.

They said if the situation is not rectified immediately, it will have no choice but to take legal action against the government.

When contacted, the Education Minister said he had no comment on the issue.