KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information has strongly denounced the actions of the leadership of Ascot Primary School in Portmore, following reports that students who were not ‘proficient’ in the 2026 Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examinations were denied the opportunity to wear graduation gowns.

These students were also subjected to differential treatment during the school’s graduation ceremony.

The Ministry has described the reported actions 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”.