A Rastafarian student of the Excelsior Community College has decide to leave the institution after he claimed teachers there told him to apologise for making reference to his religious beliefs during a performance at the school's Founder's Day Service last Friday.

Alty 'Little Joe' Nunes said he did not do anything offensive. However, following his performance, some teachers came and asked him to apologise. He refused and has decided to stop attending the school.

"My head of department came to me and told me he wanted me to do a song. He asked me to perform the song before I go on stage so that he can be sure it would not offend anybody," he said.

The 20-year-old singer, who has dreadlocks, said he obliged and the teacher said the song was fine. He said the teacher also warned him not to use any offensive language or do anything offensive during the performance.

"I went up and I said greetings in the name of his imperial majesty. And then started the song . The audience loved it but after, one of the teachers greeted me and said I shouldn't say his imperial majesty," he said.

He said a small argument developed between his mother and some teachers who were displeased with the greeting. He said his mother then decided to leave and he left with her and severed all ties with the school.

Christian service

When contacted by THE STAR, Dahlia Repole, principal of the school, said that she is currently doing an investigation into what actually happened at the service and after Nunes' performance. She said that the investigation is not yet completed. However, Ms. Repole said that what had happened occurred during a Christian service. "When students perform at the school, we expect a certain standard," she said.

The school is owned by the Methodist Church and the ceremony was being officiated by the school's priest. She also said he was not asked by the school to stop attending because of the incident.

But Nunes, who was entering the final semester of a performing arts course, said he decided to leave because it was obvious to him that the school was offended by his religious beliefs. "It end up that my faith is an offence and that just show you seh wi still in Rome," he said.

He said he has always been a practising Rastafarian and this was known by his department head. He also said he has performed at the school on occasions prior to the Founder's Day and there were no problems. He also says in those performances, he used the phrase and made even greater references to his religion.

Nunes said in the future, he will be studying at private institutions where his religion would not be frowned upon. He also said he would be pursuing his music and when he has enough money will return to school.