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High School teachers not ready – resident

Government’s proposal seeks to insert a Grade 7 or additional year at the First Form level scheduled to take effect from the upcoming school year. According to officials, proposed changes to the system will take effect at the Third Form level for the first year. Changes are not expected to affect current Fourth and Fifth Form students.
A caller on the Speak Your Mind TV show aired on February 22, 2014, expressed the belief that teachers at the Elmore Stoutt High School were not ready for teaching. Photo: VINO/File
A caller on the Speak Your Mind TV show aired on February 22, 2014, expressed the belief that teachers at the Elmore Stoutt High School were not ready for teaching. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – As debate continues to flow on a proposal by government on the introduction of an additional school year at the Territory’s High Schools, one resident has taken a swipe at teachers.

The resident, a caller on the Speak Your Mind TV show aired on February 22, 2014, expressed the belief that teachers at the Elmore Stoutt High School were not ready for teaching.

According to the man, “we have failed the youngsters, there is no if, and or but about it. We have failed them.” He heaped blame on persons within the education system for not coming to grips with the problems affecting youths.  

The man suggested that officials refer to a UNESCO Education report of 1984 which he described as the best report worldwide. “Would you believe that they even can’t find a copy of that report at the Education Department…?” he questioned.

He suggested that the report proposed a tracking system that allowed high achievers in classrooms to be placed in front while other ‘slower’ students be placed at the back of the classroom where they could be expected to receive more attention from teachers.

Increased role of community in education

One young woman expressed that she was not in favour of an additional year being added to high schools and felt that the gap between high schools and elementary schools needed to be bridged.

She explained that a lot of work was being pushed, especially at Class 5 and appeared at a loss upon entering First Form. “The gap between Class 5 and Form One is wide,” she stated.

According to the woman, statistics show that students often have to end up repeating their first year of High School.

“We seem to be dabbling into too many things and we’re not giving anything a real chance to step in to see if it’s working, if it’s not working or what is taking place,” she contended while making several suggestions herself.

The young woman said systems should put in place to check students’ progress in various subject areas and things should be implemented to encourage students to be attracted to learning and remaining in schools.

“No student should feel like a failure, everyone is not academically inclined and until we target that we will be forever having this problem,” she argued.

She also recommended that the private sector have an increased role in the education of students in the Territory in a mentorship capacity. “We need to also get the community involved in the development of our education system,” she said. “It wouldn’t just be the Department of the Ministry, it would be a community thing.”

Among other things, Government’s proposal seeks to insert a Grade 7 or additional year at the First Form level scheduled to take effect from the upcoming school year. According to officials, proposed changes to the system will take effect at the Third Form level for the first year. Changes are not expected to affect current Fourth and Fifth Form students.

10 Responses to “High School teachers not ready – resident”

  • Release (24/02/2014, 10:02) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    There is no short term solution to poor teachers
  • undercover (24/02/2014, 11:29) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    If u think Elemore Stoutt bad when it comes to teachers u need to check out B.F.E.C there have some unqualified children teaching.
  • tola (24/02/2014, 12:11) Like (18) Dislike (7) Reply
    Teachers work with what is given to them. All things being equal, the teachers at the high school are doing their job. This is why we have many students graduating and moving on to college etc. Many return to thank their teachers. Those that fail are in the minority. The reasons they do not do well are many. Don't blame it on the teacher. If so all the students would have failed. Look for the true reason and let us work on it. Extending school for 1 more year do not solve the problem. Weak students are weak for a reason. They show more interest IN MANY DISTRACTIONS OUT SIDE OF SCHOOL AND EDUCATION. They do not do home work, they come to school unprepared, No one at home to enforce the rules and see that they do their assignments. They do not read books anymore, do not go to the library etc. Please parents this is a partnership . You have to do more , much more.
    • What? (24/02/2014, 13:30) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply

      You are talking UTTER RUBBISH! While some weaker students may be that way because of a choice or other social issues, there are many other kids who try their best but because their needs are not catered to they fall behind. Are you telling me that kids with Autism, ADHD etc. who are very good students otherwise but may not learn certain subjects like the 'normal' kids, should be left behind because they're in the minority? That's pure bulls..t you're talking. There are many kids in the school system that are struggling because we have an ancient system that doesn't cater to students with issues and different learning styles. I won't say it's the Teacher's fault as they can only follow the outlines provided. I know that there are some Teachers that try to do new things but are shut down and told follow the rules or else... So I agree we can't just throw Teachers under the bus bout you sound very stupid by saying most kids that are considered 'weak' are that way because of being unprepared. The 'smart' vs 'weak' assertion is also a very misguided one. There are many cases of having kids who are more technically inclined forced to sit in a classroom writing and listening to a Teacher prat all day long, boring boring boring. Put these kids in a Technical program and they outshine anybody, anywhere. This is what I see the Ministry trying to do, bridge the gap between academics and technical while also revamping the system to reach those different kids who are also smart but learn differently. There's an old saying "If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live the rest of its life thinking it's stupid!" Our system needs overhauling NOW and to cater to ALL kids because ALL kids can do well in their own right. The ones that need the social attention can get that as well and parents should be involved as much as they can as they play a crucial role in their kids upbringing.

      • tola (24/02/2014, 18:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        What where in the world did you get the information that technical programs do not call for a knowledge base that includes a foundation is subjects being taught at the high school .It is a myth that should be changed. We are misleading our children when we lead them to believe this. Doing technical studies or training require to be competent in Maths, English, Finance, even Science at some level and other subjects depending on their area of specialization. Ask those students who are now engineers, electrical and civil.or are contractors/ builders. Even a carpenter must be able to read and comprehend information, instructions, measurements of scale etc. Every thing is now more advance and electronic and some even in metric. Don't you know even a mechanic or a fabricator need this knowledge base to be very successful. So my friend a technical school is just as demanding. The student needs to be disciplined and willing to learn. As for special needs children and children with learning difficulties, I agree they need special help. I di allede to it by saying the reasons for fatlure are many. I only stressed the parent input. but I agree there are other inputs that are needed. I would however wish to say that the policy of inclusion that the government is trying to enforce in the class room cannot work since a teacher has only a few minutes9 35- 40 ) allocated per instruction session .Given the time it takes to get disruptive elements in the class to settle down. A teacher has no time for the one and one instruction that the special students need. Also if you think teaching students in a class/ at 2 or more different levels in 35 OR 40 MINUTE CLASS is as simply as saying let there be inclusion in the classroom. Then the problems we have now will just be the tip of the iceburg to come.
    • time will tell (25/02/2014, 16:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Just listen to the sharp and prompt responses! and we wonder why we have a problem? No one listens to the other so we are not able to resolve any differences and arrive to the best possible compromise for students. The principle fro EU countries was the same. When Germany decided to cut back on spending and save more. The German people were quite upset. today Germany is the most powerful country in the EU and the possibly the richest. No one listened at the time changes were being made because no one could see the benefits down the road. A sixth form is required to save the educational reputation of the BVI. It will take some adjusting and preparation for it to be successful but it is needed for our children to compete in the World beyond Round Rock..Please people, Please give this move a fighting chance for ALL students.
  • 16 year old (24/02/2014, 13:37) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    but i could have tell ayo tis
  • mec staff (24/02/2014, 13:59) Like (9) Dislike (6) Reply
    The biggest problem with the education system is not the teachers but Myron...He has turned the education system into politics which has left us all frustrated as he treats staff like school children…
  • thank the lord (25/02/2014, 14:52) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thank the lord cxc is manditory so these teachers cant pick and choose their favs or who they believe have the potential everyone is given an equal chance
    • gaff (17/03/2014, 20:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      The majority of untrained teachers are LOCALS. They water down the program at HLSCC because they cannot cope with the University of the West Indies Teacher training program so a local teacher program was instituted.
      Mr. Wheatley is saying teachers cannot relate because of culture. All of us black people had our roots originated in colonialism. What nonsense he is talking. He should be ashamed to see where the system is going and doing nothing to help. Al you too prejudice that's why the system is flapping


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