TTMA president neutral on Rasta girl

PRESIDENT of the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Associa-tion Anthony Aboud yesterday declined to take sides in the recent incident where principal of the St Charles High School in Tunapuna refused admittance to La Horquetta resident Kalifa Logan, because of her dreadlocks. In an interview with Newsday yesterday Aboud said that this was a “Catch-22” situation where both parties are right. He noted that it is unfortunate that the child’s wear, as far as her religion goes, makes her unable to conform to the school’s dress-code.

He also noted that we teach our children to obey the rules and laws of the institutions of this land. In trying to explain, he said, “I do not believe that the school would have prevented this student from attending on the basis of her religion or beliefs, but on the basis of conformity with the school rules.” Aboud noted that he empathised with Logan and her family for the hurt and trauma they have experienced as a result of the incident, but noted that “rules are made to be adhered to.”