Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Education Minister reiterates ‘zero tolerance for indiscipline among students’

- 'Learning must take place in disciplined environments'- PS Potter
Minister for Education, Dr The Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) is exercising a zero tolerance towards indiscipline among students. Photo: VINO/File
Fights among students both in the school environment and public settings and truancy have especially been a concern for Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr The Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7). Photo: VINO/File
Fights among students both in the school environment and public settings and truancy have especially been a concern for Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr The Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7). Photo: VINO/File
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education Dr Marcia Potter has said the Ministry will commission a review of the Students Code of Conduct 2006. Photo: GIS/File
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education Dr Marcia Potter has said the Ministry will commission a review of the Students Code of Conduct 2006. Photo: GIS/File
PARAQUITA BAY, Tortola, VI- Noting that learning must take place in disciplined environments and a clear structure is important for students, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Dr Marcia Potter has told teachers ahead of the opening of the new academic year that the Minister for Education, Dr The Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) is very serious about tackling the issue of indiscipline among students.

“The Minister wishes to reiterate zero tolerance for indiscipline among students. He asked me to stress that. He is going to have zero tolerance for indiscipline among students,” Dr Potter emphasised at the opening of Summer Institute 2019, being held during the week of August 26 – 30, 2019, under the theme “Engage, Encourage, Empower- Educate” at the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium, at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) in Paraquita Bay, Tortola.

Fights among students both in the school environment and public settings and truancy have especially been a concern for Dr Wheatley.

According to Dr Potter, who addressed the teachers in the absence of Dr Wheatley, a special committee was established and a meeting was held where some very good suggestions were tabled, “and an action plan inclusive of a timeline will be developed to execute the actions towards improving discipline in schools.”

Dr Potter added that the Education Ministry will commission a review of the Students Code of Conduct 2006. She said aspects to be included will be the positive reinforcement for behaviours and further guidance for administrators in the areas of school discipline.

Further, a truancy officer has now been assigned to the sister islands and will work with principals to improve areas of discipline.

Education Advisory Board

Dr Potter also announced that very early in this academic year the Education Minister will seek to put an Education Advisory Board in place to advise the Minister on education matters and the growth and development of the education sector.

She said the Board will be made up of present and past educators as well as individuals to represent the business community, higher education, parents and the religious community.

“We have already been utilising the special committee’s component in developing proposals to guide various projects and this we will continue to do,” Dr Potter stated.

5 Responses to “Education Minister reiterates ‘zero tolerance for indiscipline among students’”

  • school children (27/08/2019, 10:55) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
    Under funny man it was who you support not what is right!
  • consequences (27/08/2019, 12:08) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Curious to know what zero tolerance means. What will the consequences be? Boot camp? Suspension? Expulsion? a strong talk? or send them to the school counselor, which from all indications don't seem to do anything to curb the indiscipline among students?
  • putting foot down (27/08/2019, 12:11) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sowande seems to mean business. I can tell you the stance of being pitiful and giving a slap on the wrists to these students is coming back to bite us in the butt. students have no respect for the teachers because the system is all about protecting them, allowing them to have their way. only person the students have some respect for is the principal, everybody else don't make sense. this needs to be changed.
  • Reply (27/08/2019, 16:41) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    He still has Marica in his ministry? poor falla did she text MVW today?
  • Observer (27/08/2019, 20:58) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    Time to send Mr Selwood home
    Time up sir
    Thank you for your time


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.