Education Minister Dr. Dana Morris Dixon says the Ministry is investigating claims of students being locked out of schools across the island, as the new academic year officially started this morning.

Reports have been circulating on social media about students at secondary institutions being locked out of school due to grooming breaches among other concerns.

Speaking to IRIE FM News this afternoon, the Minister said all children deserve access to a safe and inclusive education.

She noted that issues related to grooming standards and other disciplinary matters, must be handled collaboratively.

She said despite these issues, the new academic year had a strong and positive start, especially with the rolling out of the new school buses.