Garvin Tynes Primary School’s Majority Rule commemoration has ignited political tensions after footage emerged showing students performing a partisan song during the ceremony. The video, which circulated widely on Tuesday, captured young pupils chanting “PLP all the way” and lyrics suggesting political intimidation against opponents.
The recording prompted immediate criticism from Free National Movement supporters, with FNM chairman Dr. Duane Sands demanding clarity about the presentation’s context and questioning whether education authorities had sanctioned content that involved children in overt political messaging.
Education Director Dominique McCartney-Russell addressed the controversy while maintaining neutrality regarding the appropriateness of the performance. Having not attended the event personally, she emphasized that the clip circulating online failed to represent the full scope of the assembly, which encompassed multiple historical aspects of Majority Rule.
According to McCartney-Russell, the complete program featured educational presentations on significant historical milestones including the Burma Road Riot, women’s suffrage achievements, the formation of the governing party, the General Strike, and Black Tuesday. Student participation included sharing factual historical information and musical performances intended to illustrate Bahamian political development.
The Education Director characterized the incident as an innocent program misinterpreted through selective sharing, affirming that department officials would engage with school leadership to ensure future events maintain educational integrity while protecting students from unintended political exposure. She emphasized the importance of preserving children’s welfare while acknowledging the historical significance of Majority Rule in the Bahamas’ development.