[xml][/xml]
The Bahamas Weekly Facebook The Bahamas Weekly Twitter
News : Bahamas Information Services Updates Last Updated: Aug 13, 2018 - 3:14:19 PM


RB to take legal action over children denied schooling
By Dawrin Thompson, Education Committee Chairman Rights Bahamas
Aug 13, 2018 - 2:39:24 PM

Email this article
 Mobile friendly page

It has come to the attention of Rights Bahamas that despite Minister 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 constitutes a direct violation of the policy outlined by Minister of Education Jeffrey Lloyd, who told educators: “You have no right, you have no authority to deny anyone access to our education system. This is crucial. You cannot ask them whether they are here legally or illegally, what their status is or not. That is not your right. In fact, it is against the law.”

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 of which states: “Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.”

Every child that is presently living in The Bahamas, regardless of their status, their parent’s status, or their nationality, has the right to an education. There are no exceptions to this. Education is a fundamental human right and we intend to hold those that breach this right responsible.

We call upon all schools in The Bahamas to cease and desist demanding proof of status at registration immediately. We also call upon the Department of Education to uphold their minister’s stated policy, the laws of the Bahamas and the international agreements to which our country is signatory.

The new school year is upon us and if this problem is not rectified, it could result in many children being unable to register in time for class. That cannot be allowed to happen. If the situation is not rectified immediately, Rights Bahamas will have no choice but to take legal action against the government in defence of the fundamental rights of these children.



Bookmark and Share




© Copyright 2018 by thebahamasweekly.com

Top of Page

Receive our Top Stories



Preview | Powered by CommandBlast

Bahamas Information Services Updates
Latest Headlines
Junkanoo Summer Festival Is Back, Bigger and Better
ZNS Celebrates 86th Anniversary with Church Service
Doctoral degree posthumously conferred to Hon. A.D. Hanna by University of The Bahamas
Select Jif Peanut Butter Products Recall - Update
Dr. Rodney Smith confers final degrees as President and CEO of UB: asks graduates to take the next step with an open mind