Acting Principal of the Elmore Stoutt High School Mr Wade W. Tobin as assured that the mould issue at his school has been resolved. Photo: VINO

Students of the Elmore Stout High School (ESHS) were told in no uncertain terms that they would not be promoted or be allowed to advance to another level if they fail to attend school regularly. Photo: VINO

Mould infestation at the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) had resulted in some teachers staging a sickout earlier this year. Photo: VINO/File

“All those issues have been resolved and the department is re-occupied and everything is working smoothly,” assured Acting Principal Mr Wade W. Tobin at the welcome and opening ceremony of the school’s academic year at the Multi-Purpose Complex in Road Town, Tortola on September 9, 2013.

On May 16, 2013 teachers had taken industrial action by way of a sickout due to the presence of mould in a certain department, a story published by this news site.

Teachers had alleged that the issue was raised during a meeting and they were allegedly told by the Acting Principal that they were to find alternative classroom spaces in other parts of the building as there was nothing he could have done at that time. This had allegedly prompted the sick out.

Speaking exclusively to Virgin Islands News Online, Mr Tobin assured that the problem of mould has been addressed and the area is once again being occupied.

Meanwhile, Mr Tobin also related that the school is currently working on a number of initiatives, including the launching of its own website.

He said one of the things the school administration will be working on this academic year is improving its relationship with the media in terms of making necessary information available as to what goes on at the school. “We are trying to get engaged more with the media as it relates to what is happening on the school’s premises and so forth,” said Mr Tobin.

No for poor class attendees

At the ceremony, students of the Elmore Stout High School (ESHS) were told in no uncertain terms that they would not be promoted or be allowed to advance to another level if they failed to attend school regularly.

“You cannot and you will not be promoted or advanced to the other level unless you attend your classes, do very well so that you can move on to a higher grade,” he emphasized.

The theme for the school this year is “Creating a Culture of Excellence” under which the acting Principal wants to see students accepting responsibility and respecting each other. “When we talk about respecting each other and we talk about responsibilities, we want you to observe the code of conduct and other rules and policies of the Ministry [of Education] and of the school,” Mr Tobin said.

No teacher shortages

Mr Tobin also told the students that the administration and teachers will be focusing on making them lifelong learners, critical thinkers and skilled at the core subjects, Mathematics and English and also Spanish. “We want you to be prepared for higher education or entry into the employment field…..disciplined and responsible socially and morally competent,” he stressed

According to Mr Tobin, approximately forty-five (45) new teachers have been added to the staff this year, which brings the number up to the level that satisfies the full complement needed to cover every subject area.

In addition, the school now has some eight (8) new Heads of Department.

The Elmore Stoutt High School has seen an increase in the student population for this academic year when compared to that of 2012-13. “It has increased, last year it was about roughly twelve hundred and fifty seven (1257) students,” said Mr Tobin.

Currently, the number of students in First Form is 372, Form Two- 300, Form Three- 328, Form Four- 228 and Form Five- 188.