Senior Reporter
jensen.lavende@guardian.co.tt
Head of the Belmont Secondary School Parent and Teacher Association Shurlanda Malcolm claims she was denied the opportunity to bring greetings at the school’s graduation yesterday. Malcolm, who is also chair of the local school board, told Guardian Media that the school’s acting principal sent a message informing her that she could not give the greeting or present an award to past teachers because of her attire.
Speaking outside the school yesterday, Malcolm said this was the first time in her nine years as PTA president that her attire has even been in question. She blamed the situation on what she described as a strained relationship between her and an official at the school.
“I was told by a teacher that the principal did not want me to bring greetings on behalf of the PTA, and she doesn’t want me to go on the stage because of my dress code. I was like, OK?’”
Malcolm claimed she was supported by some teachers who walked out of the ceremony in solidarity with her. But she said the issue did not interfere with the graduation ceremony.
“I am properly well attired, as I usually do to any function at the school, and to me this is a personal thing,” she said.
“Why am I being debarred for my dress code in 2024? I am properly well attired, and I don’t think that it is right ... to debar me from this event, an important event like this where I bring greetings from the parent body,” she added.
Malcolm said she was not specifically told what was deemed inappropriate about her attire, as she claimed there is no policy guiding what is appropriate and inappropriate dress code for graduation ceremonies.
“I am confused ... I have been through four principals, and they have never had any issues with me,” Malcolm alleged.
Guardian Media attempted to get a response from the acting principal at the school about Malcolm’s allegations but was told that she had already left the school at the time of the interview with Malcolm.
An office number to contact her was provided, but when Guardian Media called, it was not in service.
The NPTA president Kevin David was also contacted, and he promised to get a message to the acting principal and share this reporter’s contact information. However, up to late yesterday evening, no one called.
Malcolm claimed teachers and parents alike said they found nothing wrong with her attire.
Yesterday, Guardian Media saw one male student complimenting Malcolm on her attire as she came to be interviewed outside the school.