SHENIA ROBERTS
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

Education Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin responded to the issue of school
uniforms this week while Bahamas Union of Teachers President Belinda Wilson
pointed that there is no school uniform policy. The issue came to the fore after
Doris Johnson Senior High School recently released their uniform guidelines
which caused uproar amongst parents.
The uniform guidelines prohibit the use of hair accessories and extensions, nail
polish, jewellery, (earrings for boys) and makeup for both genders. It also requires
females to wear their skirts at least two inches below the knee and boys to wear
their hair in a short “schoolboy” haircut style.
These rules sparked mixed reviews on social media platforms as some parents and
guardians argued that some of the restrictions were excessive and unnecessary.
Minister Martin in response to the outrage expressed that “The Principals lead the
campus, and they exercise discretion based on circumstances”.
She explained that the rules will be slightly relaxed at different times of the year to
accommodate weather conditions but maintained that a uniform code is a part of
each institutions rules and guidelines. She emphasized that when on campus
uniform guidelines must be met.
However, Bahamas Union of Teachers president Belinda Wilson said that there are
no legal grounds to enforce these rules. Mrs. Wilson claims there is no current
policy in place giving the school or ministry the right to turn any student away for
uniform infractions. She said, “There is no law and no policy on wearing
uniforms.”
Wilson is challenging officials to implement a reasonable policy, considering all
factors affecting students when forming these rules.