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Ed. Ministry has more actors & actresses than Hollywood & Bollywood -Walwyn

-Wants PS, Principal of Eselyn Henley Centre confirmed
Hon. Walwyn believes there are too many persons in acting positions in his Ministry
Min. Walwyn wants Dr. Marcia Potter confirmed as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Culture. Photo: VINO
Min. Walwyn wants Dr. Marcia Potter confirmed as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Culture. Photo: VINO
The non-confirmation of Ms. Vansittart Huggins (left) to the post of Principal of the Eselyn Richez Learning Centre is of utmost concern for Minister Walwyn. Photo: VINO
The non-confirmation of Ms. Vansittart Huggins (left) to the post of Principal of the Eselyn Richez Learning Centre is of utmost concern for Minister Walwyn. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Minister of Education and Culture Hon. Myron V. Walwyn has called for persons in acting positions in his ministry to be confirmed, including his Permanent Secretary and has also recommended that the Acting Principal of the Eselyn Henley Richez Learning Centre be confirmed.

Addressing the members of the House of Assembly during the budget debate yesterday March 23, 2012, Hon. Walwyn said there are too many persons in acting positions in his ministry, which he believes can affect their morale. He was at the time recommending that his Acting Permanent Secretary Dr. Marcia Potter be confirmed to her post since he has been very pleased with the work she has being doing and particularly during Education Week.

“But Madam Speaker, that ministry I inherited there has more actors and actresses in there than Hollywood and Bollywood put together. “What is wrong with us? Madam Speaker, under the Ministry Department in the Ministry there are eleven persons acting...Acting Permanent Secretary, Acting Financial Planning Officer, Acting Senior Administrative Officer, Acting Chief Education Officer, Acting Deputy Chief Education Officer, Acting School Maintenance Supervisor, Acting Director of Culture, Acting Superintendent of Prison. “Madam Speaker, What’s going on?”

Looking at the schools, Hon. Walwyn added, “Acting Deputy Principal, Acting Assistant Principal, Acting Assistant Principal, almost all of them acting. The point I am making Madam Speaker is that if you have people in a job and they can do the job, confirm them to the post. If they can’t do the work take them out.”

The Minister for Education and Culture argued that a department should not have so many persons in unconfirmed positions. “It affects morale because people do not have security of tenure and so you may not get a hundred percent from them all the time because they don’t know when the acting appointment will end. And so I spoke to my Permanent Secretary, up to this morning I spoke to her, and I said PS all this acting thing got to stop. The only person acting in the Ministry should be me as the Minister because I act for four years until I get another acting appointment. But if the people are doing their work, Madam Speaker, they should be confirmed to the post.”

Hon. Walwyn also singled out the Principal of the Eselyn Henley Richez Learning Centre, Ms. Vansittart Huggins, who he said should also be confirmed to her post, noting that her non-confirmation to the post concerns him the most. “Ms. Huggins - a giant of a woman- giant in terms of her contributions, Madam Speaker, and she up there acting. She has a hard job to do to deal with her differently abled children. And this Government, we have a serious commitment to those differently abled people and I need to have Ms. Huggins on all cylinders firing. So this acting thing has got to stop.”

“So my PS, I know she is listening as she listens to the House of Assembly, I know she will work feverishly , Madam Speaker, because we don’t want her acting, the only act we want is action and so I need to have those people confirmed so that we could have some action in that ministry,” Hon. Walwyn concluded.

46 Responses to “Ed. Ministry has more actors & actresses than Hollywood & Bollywood -Walwyn ”

  • TELL THE TRUTH (24/03/2012, 09:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This funny man playing smart. We all know you does not care about our people, but here showing his colours. He got the balls to be calling for the confirmation of a JAMDOWN to be he PS. How come he aint talk about Patrick from Youth Affairs to be confirmed?..Ok I know why, because he wants Paul on the Ball over Partick...I guess both Antiguans looking out for each other! Pickering boss you right we got to protect the indigenous people of we country.
    • Wellsa (24/03/2012, 17:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I totally agree with Dr. Pickering we have to protect the indigenous bvislanders. No Jamdown or persons not born in the BVI should hold certain posts. After the minister is the PS. Actually the PS the run the show. Tell Marcie if she want to run the show go back Jamaica. If she wants to remain amoung us no problem but she should only be allowed to go so high in the service and no more. Some positions must state born BVIslanders ONLY.
      • BV Islander (24/03/2012, 18:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Marcia has made a bigger contribution to your lazy self, and she has the qualifications to match, she is also a great person. I have known Marcia from when she and Irad started dated in Jamaica, I guess you do not know the person. So before engaging your pen engage your mind and brain
        • question (24/03/2012, 20:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          Can any of the local ps go to Jamaica or antigua and get a ps job? No no no it can never happen! Can a local person from here go to jamacia or antigua and get elected? No no no so you all need to check facts before you all things everybody against somebody
        • billy b (25/03/2012, 13:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          Weh you from and who you know, for how long, matters not That is our problem, we are always ready to make decisions based on who we are and who we know That must stop!!!!!! We should be makin decisions based on loyalty to country and it's people I am from here, I know her, I have nothing negative to say of her. She thought me history in high school and I know here husband too But the bottom line is, my loyalty is to my country and my own people
      • Stupid Sah (24/03/2012, 19:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        YOu stupid sah... Dr Picko has how many non-bvislanders on his NDP team??? strups... politics is politics you aint figure that out yet?
      • well sa (25/03/2012, 13:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        I agree, just like American Citizen's only for Presidents Mrs. Potter, you thought me in high school and I love you to death, but go Jamaica go be PS over there. I am a BVIslander and WE HAVE TO STOP CONFIRMING ISLAND PEOPLE TO OUR POST, I DON'T CARE HOW LONG THEY WORK HERE AND I DON'T CARE WHO THEY MARRIED TO. Speak your mind, BVI FORUM, look out, I calling to talk about this. NO ISLAND PEOPLE SHOULD BE CONFIRMED TO OUR POST, I am NDP all the way, but I calling to talk about this. Walwyn, if they are not from here, leave the actors and actresses there. When they tired act, let them go home go retire. All these educated island people coming to the BVI because they know that this is the easiest way to get to the top. Back in their country they are nobodies. Give them the job if they are qualified, but do not start a trend that forces the next generation to accept island people following the yellow brick road to our country for an easy ride. Regardless of whether you are acting or not, when you are given a job to do and you are being paid handsomely, you SHOULD give it your all. So Walwyn that is not an excuse. THIS IS WHAT WE MUST STOP!!!!!!!!!!! I love you Mrs. Potter, but love got nothing to do with it. I cant go Jamaica to get confirm to nothing (neither you as educated as you are) and you shouldn't come in my country to get confirmed to nothing. Work for your pay, get your pension and go home (Jamaica or whatever your local address is). Huggins spent the better part of her life here, but her heart is still in Antigua. Love you Mrs. Huggins, but work your time, get your pension and go home (Antigua or Humtums Ghut). Give Mrs. Huggins the raise she deserves, she is a hard worker, but that is all the cylinder they need. Pay them handsomely for their hard work and leave the post for the indiginous BVIslander Tortola too small to be confirming all these island people. That is what making them flock here and that is why we can't get rid of some of them. They were acting all these years and giving a stella performance, as soon as you confirm that, (they were good all the time and then) some of them become big-headed, power hungry nuisances. THIS IS WHAT WE SHOULD STOP. We need some of these older people to move out of the way so indiginous BVIslands can easily move into place to be confirmed. Refraining from confirming them should not stop them from continuing to perform. They have to perform because that is what they are being paid to do. Walwyn, we can get rid of you in four years. We will not be able to get rid of these island people when they set up shop here and bring all their family with them to squeeze us out. This comment is not directed at Mrs. Huggings or Potter per say, but it can have a negative effect with someone else down the road if this practice begins.
        • Hmmm (25/03/2012, 18:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          I see nothing wrong with what Myron said. Mrs Potter tought me History in High school, she was a very good teacher. Also, may I remind you that she is the wife of Dr. Potter for 20+ years, by law she is a belonger. Like or not she is one of us, and is entittled to all the benefits and and privilages Virgin Islanders and belongers are entittled to.
          • billy b (26/03/2012, 18:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
            u go marry a jamaican and see what you could go in jamaica to claim eventhough you have all rights
        • bvi (25/03/2012, 21:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          Vansitart is from right here, boss. Her father was from antigua yes, but her mother was an indigenous BVIslander, a Scatliffe by birth
        • UNDER THE BUS (25/03/2012, 23:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          well said but I told you all NDP was for the whites and island people...you all hearing and seeing for your self..I TOLD YOU SO
    • one eye (24/03/2012, 17:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      For real Myron was in the Standing Finance Committee meetings pretending like he for locals and indigenous people, but now we know, he is a bog fraud. He wants a Jamaican PS over a local.
    • Bay woman (27/03/2012, 20:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      'He will do that and more, I think has that vincy woman down cane garden bay school doing what she seem want just because she claim to have taught him in school but her day is soon she believe being married to a bvislander will save her a**. WAIT TIME WILL TELL CAUSE SHE DONT ACT LIKE SHE FROM VINCY SHE DOES ACT LIKE SHE BORN HERE
  • ooooo (24/03/2012, 11:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    this is the system myron...you came late...you will learn
  • Infared (24/03/2012, 11:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Those are solid points that Hon. Walwyn is making. People really matter so keep pressing Minister to make sure everybody is in good keeping.
  • Rufus (24/03/2012, 11:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hon. Minister, you have all those actors, because many of them are in positions where there are others confirmed to them. If your Acting PS, was advising you properly she would inform you as to why you have so many actors. You have General Orders, PSC, Deputy Governor and Governor who determines those appointments. You are not running a private company, but government civil service. As a lawyer you need to check what you say.
    • Music (24/03/2012, 11:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Well isnt he right? Dont General Orders state that if a person is appointed to an acting position and performs the job satisfactorily after a period of 3 or 6 months, then they should be confirmed in the post? This acting business is a disgrace and has been going on for the 40 years I have been here. If a person does not perform satisfactorily then they should be thrown back in the crab barrel.
      • @ lodger (24/03/2012, 12:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        General Orders also states that a person acting in a post cannnot be confirmed to a post if there is a substantive holder in the service.
    • 1 (24/03/2012, 17:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      "RUFUS" I agree with you absolutely 100 percent correct!!!!
  • Benchmark (24/03/2012, 11:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Some post need to go through the proper channel again before confirmation, especially the acting principal at ESHS. As a standard no individual who do not hold a degree in Education should hold the position as principal at no school,especially a Secondary School.
  • I wonder (24/03/2012, 12:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I wonder how the substantive holders of some of these posts mentioned are feeling about this. I really wonder.
    • ta ta (25/03/2012, 07:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Well the point is myron do not care he is about myron and politics. Lord send help to my country
  • Jury and Judge (24/03/2012, 12:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Myron, even the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court has actors- so many geriatrics judges acting- not paving the way for young people to become judges. It does not surprise me that the Chief Justice is retiring. So, acting positions is a norm all over the place.
  • Easy Come.. (24/03/2012, 13:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I listened to the debate and found Mr Minister to be disrespectful to the House and to his colleagues on the other side. At one stage he told Frazer that he must be having a senior moment. I am not a fan of Frazer but that was rude and inappropriate. He needs to leave his ghetto behaviour on the streets.
    • ta ta (25/03/2012, 07:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Do not be surprise 'easy come' myron is from the lower class! From selling burgers to law then in the house of assembly. He is not from the bvi upper class he does not have the elite formation. He is no ralph, dr pickering, fraser, ronnie,dr smith, fahie, etc. those are consider the upper class people in the legislative council. Plus he too black to be taken seriously by we the upper class. So no one is surprised by his display.
      • high hope (26/03/2012, 23:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        oh no you all so hash...the poor child trying ah ting...when you aint got it you just aint got it, but that we Minister budy
  • vg (24/03/2012, 13:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    B-F-E-C HIGHT SCHOOL NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGTED THE TEACHERS AND HEAD UP THEIR DOING WHAT THEY WANT - IMAGIN A TEACHER TELLING HER STUDENTS SHE INT ABLE TO TEACH BECAUSE SHE ON HER TIME OF THE MONTH (AND SHE DIDNT USE THAT TERM SHE SAID (P). THEN WHEN ONE STUDENT MADE A SMART COMMENT SHE REFUSED TO TEACH THE CLASS SO EVERY TIEM THEY HAVE HER CLASS THE STUDENTS ARE LEFT STANDING OUT SIDE
  • confusios (24/03/2012, 14:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Myron is a hypocrite if you ask me. Tell he to start with asking for the confirmation of tasha in he ministry. But instead of doing that he brought in robert wife. So how can we trust this car sales men? He fool us before so shame shame shame
    • Culture (24/03/2012, 23:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You notice how he conveniently didn't mention Tasha as one of the actresses. I hope the O'Neal one see how quick he ready to give away her job to the Jamaican. He also wants to give Luce job to that Oreo Cookie who don't know her job. I hear the politician sister who working with the Oreo say working with her is like working with the devil.
  • Star (24/03/2012, 18:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Honourable you have so many actors because, truly they are good at acting. Your current PS acted quite well u der the past minister and here again she is acting quite well for you. This is what she do best- act. Why confirm her to act on what you want or to offer suggestions that would truly change the system for the better or is she still in the good to great mood. Your current CEO acting like an African Chief, had she not thought about her self the summit would have been held to accommodate the public and not her Sabbat. So what do you really want actors to do it your way or the best way. The Recent adhoc committee knew the outcome of the investigation before they began, they were part of the same system you were researching. The only difference is that they supported you so you got the same point of view nothing new. If you want real change come meet with us the teacher and we will give you the the facts unscripted.
    • WOW, really????? (25/03/2012, 10:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I cannot believe that you are a teacher as you are making this a political issue and not seeing the harm this is really causing our youths and the mess our country will be in, in the years to come. This supplementary thing is doing more harm than good. Had I failed when I was in form 5, I would want to do over the year to ensure that I really get what I need to get in order to be ready for the working world or college. Many of our youths are at the college getting under a 2.0 GPA and we think that the 5th form supplementary is doing justice. The supplementary should be designed by the Ministry of Education and should be just as challenging as the school leaving; not designed by each school and simply done in a way to ensure that most of their students pass. Additionally, they need to do supplementary during the summer and not rushed in order for them to walk on graduation day. If they want that privilege they need to work for it on the initial school leaving exam.
  • anegada voter (24/03/2012, 18:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I believe myron means well but he seems to always talk out of turn which gets him in trouble. But he is new and I know he will do well in his job.
  • JTV (25/03/2012, 09:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ok I understand Myron point, people should be confirmed in their post, but how come he did not want Hadassah to be confirm when he was Chairing the Tourist Board? Uncle Ralph had to go behind his back and do it!!!!!! See I heard someone commented that he is a big hypocrite, here is a perfect example.
    • Plain (25/03/2012, 12:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Please read again. He clearly stated if the person acting is performing well, they should be confirmed. If they are not doing the job, they should be removed. See where Hadassah fit into that puzzle. To the person saying Myron has no class and went form burgers to law, you sound so stupid. Everybody had their ups and downs and I thank you for pointing out where Myron has come from. I now have more respect for him and what he has been able to accomplish. What have you done? critic still live in his mother's house which is why he can continue blogging all over the place. All of our legislators started somewhere. Even Ronnie told the story of when they were kids going to Fish Bay to blast stones, they were not rich at that time. You all just expected Myron to fail and he's doing so good you can't stand it. THE MAN IS RIGHT! The last Governments were ...., they were afraid to ruffle feathers. these guys aren't afraid to reassign or send people home, that's what a real government does, make decisions regardless of how tough, for betterment of country. lots more goodies to come eat your hearts out.
      • His Day Is Coming (25/03/2012, 15:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Plain', you think the comment Myron made to Fraser about having a SENIOR MOMENT was funny and worthy of your support, but I promis you that it will come back to haunt him. Myron definitely doesn't come from stock. What Myron has to remember, is in these BVI once a hamburger flipper, always a hamburger flipper, and once he continues to behave like this he is only making it easy for us to remember. You could do yourself a favor and tell your hero, that when he go into that House and jump on Fahie or Fraser, he jumps on us, so prepare himself for what's coming to him.
  • faith (25/03/2012, 22:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    If I am wrong, I welcome correction, but I believe Mrs. Potter is a naturalized BVI citizen; she is no johnny come lately; she isnt going anywhere in a hurry since she is married to a BVIslander, so I consider her a BVIslander as she has made this country her home for many years and have made valuable contributions. I dont care where she is from.
  • True Colours! (25/03/2012, 23:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am ashamed by some of these comments. When did we become so hateful and arrogant? For someone to even go as far as to refer to the Minister as being "too black to be taken seriously by we the upper class" speaks of a level of racial hatred that is very disturbing. SMH
  • insider (25/03/2012, 23:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I find funny man statement in the legislative council so interesting. He start showing his hands already. He wants Ms Huggins confirmed. She is form Antigua just like him. He wants Paul on the Paul over Mr. Hariggan at Youth Affairs and Sports, Paul is from Antigua just like him. And on top of that he wants a Jamaican confirm to the PS post, that is where one of his children mother is from. People do you see the connections? how the hick he can stand up for indigenous Virgin Islanders???Never! never! never! sooner or later he will go back to his roots and we are seeing it loud and clear. what a mash up for locals boss....more of an insult if you ask me
    • focus (26/03/2012, 16:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      When our elected Ministers have no respect for the rights and livelihood of locals what state have we reached to. They are eager to dismiss locals from their jobs and send them home to do what, I don't know. But I hope that the masses will realize sooner rather than later that something is not right with this picture. Injustice is happening to local BVIslanders at the hands of the popularly-elected Government.
  • women movement (26/03/2012, 03:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Myron you need to spend your time fighting for justice for local people!
  • Well! (27/03/2012, 18:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Many on here talking about how Dr. potter so this and so that...so if she is such a nice person why is she fighting hard to put out a local by getting confirmed when the local who was there before was put out by the former Minister. The local woman was not given the chance to work with the new Minister so how can they know whether or not SHE can or cannot perform. She is still active in the post she was not sent home my understanding was for her to have a tempory separation from the former Minister. So how Myron want to confirm people to positions where there are people who still hold those very same positions he is talking about. He really being schooled boy! He need some lessons on how the Government operates. And if he PS was doing such a good job she would have advised him of that.
  • Valentin (13/08/2012, 11:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
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