Hundreds of students streamed through school doors yesterday, marking the end of summer vacation and the start of a new academic year.

But some students walked out the same doors just as quickly, when they were informed that they did not meet the uniform code. One mother of a Berkeley Institute student called The Royal Gazette and expressed anger after her daughter was sent home because her navy blue skirt had a pleat. She said the pleated skirts were sold in shops in Hamilton and she had assumed she was following the school's instructions.

But Berkeley Institute principal Michelle Simmons said students and parents had been made aware of the rules.

She said: "We have had a very positive start to the term, but unfortunately, in spite of clearly circulated information on school uniform, several students were sent home as they were not correctly attired.

"The main infractions were inappropriate shoes, multi-coloured hair, skirts with pleats, and pants too long and worn inappropriately.

"Our school is committed to excellence. We require our students to be committed to the highest standards of learning, deportment, behaviour, and attendance.

"We have started on the first day of school in our efforts to uphold those standards. We simply ask that all our students and parents uphold and obey the school rules."

A Government spokesman said that although several students returned later "in proper attire", the Government was concerned at the slip in standards.

"The Ministry of Education, Sports and Recreation is concerned that the students did not adhere to a known policy of the school and it is our expectation that the school administration will meet with the parents to clarify the school standards," he said.

"As we move to improve our schools overall, we would expect our parents to work with the school to ensure that standards are met."

Meanwhile, Education Minister Randy Horton visited several public schools in the West End, accompanied by the newly-appointed Permanent Secretary Ellen-Kate Horton, who is his sister.

Mr. Horton addressed the pupils and parents of Southampton Glebe Primary School and went on to visit T. N. Tatem Middle School, Purvis Primary School, Warwick Pre-school, Paget Primary School and Gilbert Institute. Mr. Horton talked with headteachers, staff and parents. He also spoke to students in their classrooms.

The Minister said yesterday: "As a former teacher and principal, words cannot express how gratified I feel today having visited with our Island's young students.

"I remember how it felt for me as a new teacher waiting for my class to arrive on that first day of school.

"I can assure the parents of these students that we are ready for this school year in every way. They should know that we are hard at work, through the Interim Education Board and our new CEO Dr. Johnson, to meet the expectation of our parents and students.

"We are committed at the Ministry of Education, Sports and Recreation to providing a first class education to our young people that we all can be proud of.

"I want to also thank the Island's principals and teachers for preparing to meet their individual students with the smiles and colourful, inviting classrooms I saw today. We are off to a tremendous start."