Garrison students on field trip. - Barbados marine trust photo.

September 19, 2007

On Monday morning, two weeks into the new school term, Mr. Matthew Farley the principal of Garrison Secondary School in Barbados asked approximately 200 girls to leave the school premises for wearing skirts that were too short. He took the action just after morning assembly, when he asked the female students to parade on a platform. Those whose skirts were short of the required 2 inches below the knee were then sent home. The girls were from the 3rd to 5th forms and were each reportedly given a  letter for their parents/guardians stipulating that they would be on a 10 day suspension, returning as soon as the problem was fixed.

Mr. Farley explained that parents and guardians must be mindful that school rules are made to be followed, with no exceptions being made. He went on to say that he is also clamping down on the accessories which children wear to school, pointing out that schools are not a place of entertainment.