Any deviation from guidelines set by the Schools' Security and Discipline Task Force for the wearing of school uniforms as of September 2006, will mean problems for students, and possibly for parents as well.

According to Minister of Education, Hon Alden McLaughlin, "students not appropriately dressed will be sent home."

He said youngsters coming to school with fitting blouses to baggy-pants, tongues flapping out of shoes among other uniform discrepancies will not be tolerated.

Mr McLaughlin speaking at a Cabinet Media briefing, explained that the uniform policy was part of a larger, more comprehensive, approach to security and discipline in Government schools and said that the Security and Discipline Task Force - created late last year - had constructed the new guidelines.

He outlined that steps had been taken to ensure that Child and Family Services would be able to assist families having financial difficulties meeting uniform requirements.

Based on this, and the timeframe given to parents to prepare for the September 2006 new uniform rules, Mr McLaughlin said there will be no acceptable excuses come the first of September, and students in incorrect, or ill-fitting uniforms would be sent home until they can come in the correct uniform.

"And, if the children are away from school for too long, then we are going to take steps against the parents because the children are bound to being in school," said the Minister.

The Minister had first raised the issue of school uniforms at the end of last year.

On 16 December 2005 at a Media briefing he had said that he was aiming to wipe out "an imported prison culture of super-sized clothes" in schools.

Mr McLaughlin said at the time that the question of how uniforms were worn was all part of "discipline in schools" - a matter he labelled as his "major concern."

He described shirts out of pants and skirts, loose fitting pants and other elements and said, "It's slovenly...and it shows no respect for rules."

He also criticised earrings and what he called "exotic" hair designs.

"Everyone will have to back the issue," he said at the time referring to the need for parents to ensure their children were appropriately dressed for school.

Speaking recently, on 30 June, Mr McLaughlin said that it was only "a minority of students who do not comply" with the way uniforms should be worn.