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'High School worse than ever; Fights rampant’ – concerned parent

The Elmore Stoutt High School was said to have been on lock down yesterday November 4, 2014 because of fights and the call is out for the Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn to take action immediately. Photo: VINO/File
The fight are getting worse as the students are taking it to the streets and using dangerous weapons. Photo: VINO/File
The fight are getting worse as the students are taking it to the streets and using dangerous weapons. Photo: VINO/File
The High School had a shake up of its management recently but there has been no obvious improvement according to parents and teachers. Photo: VINO/File
The High School had a shake up of its management recently but there has been no obvious improvement according to parents and teachers. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Informed and reliable sources in the Elmore Stoutt High School have confirmed that there has been a significant number of fights in the school over the past few days of this week with yesterday November 4, 2014 being the worst.

This was investigated by this news site following the concern being brought to the fore by a worried parent. While the management of the school continues to be mum on the real state of the situation that exists in the school and despite the recent shake up of its management with much talk about strong measures to better things, the situation continues to be growing.

Yesterday, according to a parent the situation of fights in the school was to the extent that the school was on ‘shut down’ for quite some time as teachers or students could not leave the premises.

“High School is worse than ever, Where is Myron, when last has he been there, what is going on, our children out of control and the Minister and his henchmen seem not to be able to deliver despite their much talks,” said the parent in relating his concerns to this news site. He was referring to Hon Myron V. Walwyn, Minister of Education and Culture.

While the details of the fights were not disclosed the parent recalled that there were fights also on Monday. “Things crazy up there and there must be a way to deal with this,” added the parent.

“Teachers are feeling the effects more than anything else and they are going to continue to leave. They will not stay in this situation, it’s bad and the children are finding ways to get sharp and dangerous weapons in the school even drugs going in there and they got big time security there. What is going on? How can this be dealt with?” pondered the parent.

A teacher said that she feels that it is time for Minister Walwyn to seek help and among those should be former Minister for Education Honourable Andrew A. Fahie. “This is not time for politics… Hon Fahie has a vested interest in the education system and they are all legislators and should knock heads to deal with this situation. Forget politics and pride man and let’s get this thing fixed. We losing our kids, it’s a state of emergency if you ask me,” said a teacher.

This news site will endeavour to delve further into what is happening behind the gates of the school and seek answers as to why these matters continue to be dealt with behind closed doors.

52 Responses to “'High School worse than ever; Fights rampant’ – concerned parent”

  • i was hacked (05/11/2014, 08:53) Like (66) Dislike (3) Reply
    The moment they took away getting licks in high school was the END of order. Spare the rod and not even spoil, ROTTEN the child.
    Those kids fear nothing, u can’t hit them or tell them anything because parents fly in school and “lead by example” wanting to assault teachers
    • @i was hacked (05/11/2014, 11:03) Like (30) Dislike (2) Reply
      I think it's time to let the children and parents know if they can't go to school, behave and follow rules then they should be recommended to go to the alternative education program. School shouldn't be on shut down because of a few children who have no behavior and feel they untouchable. It's time to set them straight.
    • Guest (05/11/2014, 13:38) Like (5) Dislike (23) Reply
      Licks does not have anything to do with it. Some persons who receives the rod retaliate even worse. You think it's now students behaving poorly and getting expelled?? This has been going on decades now and they were getting the belt in school and from their parents coming into school to whip them.

      You people always quick to say spare the rod spoil the child taking the Bible out of context.
      • i was hacked (05/11/2014, 17:05) Like (16) Dislike (2) Reply
        I went to BVI High School don’t tell me about in there, getting sent to the principal office was no dream for any of us. Stoutt had that strapp that none of us wanted to feel. YES it had fights back then, but NOTHING like today. Every once in a while it had fights, and in my 5 yrs the police were needed 3 times.
  • ndp hater (05/11/2014, 09:05) Like (30) Dislike (36) Reply
    The minister is only up and down looking photo ops. All he did in the high school so far was installed 3 flag poles and painted the library.
  • yardee (05/11/2014, 09:07) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    Look pon the condition of the school fence next to pusser's and dario's.
  • Solutions (05/11/2014, 09:09) Like (29) Dislike (1) Reply
    We need police at and around the school monday to friday.
    • vybz (07/11/2014, 16:23) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Well that's why it have security guards. and the police station only 5mins walk away from front gate. The problem is parents not raising there kids right think they child perfect and can do no wrong. I know expelling these kids will sloved the short term problem but not the long term. A alternate program where they work in the prison will solve issue. give them the thug life they trying live let them sleep in the prison and be treated like an inmate and see if that change them
  • Rey (05/11/2014, 09:11) Like (25) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is not good for our student. I think it is about time we the community reach out to these student in the schools. Sometimes they have problems at home and when the go to school the teachers are no help, because we teachers in the school using bad words at students an from what I know there are teachers in there who do not need to be there.
    So, who to blame for this. We cannot blame Myron or Andrew.
  • Yes (05/11/2014, 09:14) Like (55) Dislike (19) Reply
    Yep, it's Myron's fault that these kids have no home training and behave like hogs when they're on the street. Shame on Myron for not training and raising all of our High School kids.
  • Whatever!!!!! (05/11/2014, 09:28) Like (73) Dislike (4) Reply

    The school will be better when we as parents do our part and discipline our rude a.. kids!!!!! We allow our kids to be on the street corners smoking and gambling, we allow our kids to go to school with their shirts out of pants and pants below their a... What should the minister do, go up by the school and police our kids???? That makes absolutely no sense. I am sure that we never heard the minister's kids getting in trouble or starting any of the fights at the high school. The parents are to be blamed partially, but the ultimate blame is on the students who have their own minds and make their own decisions. So I am tired of hearing parents and teachers blaming the minister for nonsense. If we do what we should at home it wouldn't get to this point.

  • bam (05/11/2014, 09:29) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
    I am sure barns busy writing a poor grammer speech to spin tis
  • ignorant parents (05/11/2014, 09:35) Like (86) Dislike (4) Reply
    Parents deal with your children, they are not Myron's problem. Decipline starts at home if you can't control your own children you espect someone else to do it, train your childdren. Stop the blame game.
  • A Mother (05/11/2014, 09:37) Like (35) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is going back to one thing, lack of training in homes. Children getting children, they themselves need training. Most of them making everything else priority and leaving the children all to themselves. Having children for different men, relationship don't work out men leave don't look back for kids, mother have make ends meet by getting more than one job, children left up to themselves when the mother get a break from work they don't want to be bother, so the children do what they want! I was a single mother, my child and I went our seperate ways when he was 6yrs old, I stood by my child did what was needed to make sure he came up the right way. Thought him principles. Morales and respect, always visited schools, help him when ever needed. I never had to go to school because of anything. I always told him when ever you leave home any adult is your parents, especially the teachers. You need what they have to offer-education! I can proudly hold my head up high today as MY SON a grown young is well respected anywhere he goes in the world today. Thank you God!
  • homegrown (05/11/2014, 10:00) Like (16) Dislike (2) Reply
    I graduated from high school bout 10 years ago and the fighting thing been going on from them......when east and and west had a big brawl shut down the school same way.....sports day fair day and last day of school the fights use to spill out to the road.....so ppl stop acting brandnew plz.....they will grow out of it eventully.
  • bystander (05/11/2014, 10:08) Like (13) Dislike (3) Reply
    i was up there yesterday and it was like a war zone with all the fights which required the police and the ambulance to come to the school, the principals sounded panicked and completely lost control of the school, at one point they had to suspend lunch and completely lock down all movement of students, something needs to be done, perhaps breaking the school up into at least 2 different parts will make it easier to handle, the minister needs to wake up from his signature tech school project and pay attention to what is going on at the main highschool which is in shambles
  • speechless (05/11/2014, 10:25) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    When I was in high school we had so much respect for the teachers and staff. That is the problem today the students no longer have respect for no one so they go to school and fight. And if u look at these fights a lot if them stem from whats going on in social media. Parents step up and monitor what your kids are doing. It takes a village not only the teachers. U play a part in it too.
  • ? (05/11/2014, 10:54) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Do the ESHS school still have counselors?
  • Saintly (05/11/2014, 10:59) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is very hard for me to say this. The way things are going up there one of our student will be killed. Policing the compound is not the answer. Part of the answer lies within the home. Start at the core. I do know that some of these parents are trying their best.. others just dont care. The Education Department should simple stop making excuses for these children (THE SAME NAMES SURFACE EACH TIME THERE IS A DISTURBANCE) who are causing the problems within the School. It is time to remove the gloves and deal with the matter at hand as it really is. The ESHS feels more like a prison than an Educational Institution. The students are acting more like inmates than students. Our teachers have been forced to act like Correctional Officers than teachers. We cannot allow a few bad apples to become a distraction to the other children who are just trying to get an education. Mr Minister deal with this issue now!!!
    • *!*!*!* (05/11/2014, 13:48) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
      I agree with you 100%. It is not fair for my young, impressionable, innocent child to be living in fear of going to school every day. The problem of fighting in the high school stems from a handful of children and I see no reason why they are still there wreaking havoc. Weed them out let us get on with the buisness of teaching our children who want to learn!
  • new (05/11/2014, 11:13) Like (16) Dislike (27) Reply
    We need a new education minister
    • Respectful (05/11/2014, 12:52) Like (13) Dislike (3) Reply
      From you comment we can tell that you are SLOW!!! Train your rude a$$ children them from home. You will be the first one coming to school acting the fool if he go there are rake some cuff under their rude disrespectful backside.
      • 16 year old (05/11/2014, 19:35) Like (4) Dislike (11) Reply
        It is time for this inept scandalized government to go.
      • please (05/11/2014, 19:58) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
        It always amuses me when politicians say: Since taking office I have done this and that for education’ when you look deeply there is nothing there but the band aid approach
  • l (05/11/2014, 11:18) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    If students do not care, or know how to behave in school, they should be expelled. Don't ask what will happen to them when they are expelled. They will later regret it, but right now they know that there are no consequences to their behavior.
  • virgin gorda (05/11/2014, 13:13) Like (9) Dislike (28) Reply
    Walwyn to proud to accept education has failed under his watch!!!
  • TO YOU THE PARENT (05/11/2014, 13:21) Like (24) Dislike (0) Reply
    TRAINING STARTS AT HOME AND END ABROAD. THE PARENTS ARE NEGLECTFUL. TRAIN YOUR CHILDREN. YOU HAVE BIG MEN AND WOMEN IN YOUR HOUSE LEAVING AND COMING IN ANYTIME THEY LIKE. DON'T BLAME THE SYSTEM BECAUSE THEY SPEND A MERE 7 HOURS AT SCHOOL 5 DAYS PER WEEK. WHY WASN'T IT LIKE THIS LONG AGO??? BECAUSE PARENTS LONG AGO USED TO DISCIPLINE THEIR CHILDREN. WHAT IF THERE WAS NO MINISTER?? WOULD YOU BLAME THE POLICE?? WHAT IF THERE WAS NO POLICE AS MANY OF YOU WISH??? LOOK IN THE MIRROR PARENTS AND WAKE UP!!! STOP PUTTING THE TV TO WATCH YOUR CHILDREN. AND I WOULD ADD THAT THERE ARE USELESS SECURITY GUARDS WHO FAIL TO SEARCH THE STUDENTS AND DO THEIR DUTY WHEN FIGHTS BREAK OUT.GOVERNMENT SHOULD REALLY HIRE SECURITY WHO ARE WILLING TO BRING ORDER...
  • Lord (05/11/2014, 14:02) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    The BVI must learn to wakeup and understand clear that some kids have to be put out of school because of their behaviour. Stop protecting names and take harsh action in order to make the schools better and safer.
  • ooooo (05/11/2014, 14:26) Like (20) Dislike (18) Reply
    andrew brought this school from good to great and this man took it from great to grave
  • too soft (05/11/2014, 15:30) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    We need a different security firm at the high school.
  • Correctional Education (05/11/2014, 18:14) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Myron- wake up- you are doing your best- but understand the time has come for a correctional education facility- yes it will cost money- a lot of money- but it must have space for at least 100 deviants- and both these poorly behaved kids and their dysfunctional parents will have to be go to that facility to receive the type of interventions that will correct the poor behaviors and poor academics - and yes some of these delinquents will have to overnight at the facility when they become a threat to the wider community- and may have to spend years at the facility- and if the parents refuse to cooperate send them to BALO- time to introduce the necessary legislation to get the thing going and start by appointing a steering cttee to get it started-
  • Curious (05/11/2014, 18:37) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lawdddddd TOBIN laughing loudly, they put all they blame on him for all those loosers at the school. He tried his best and was crusified, GOD don't sleep........
  • wize up (05/11/2014, 18:51) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    who to blame
  • doc (05/11/2014, 19:10) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    My Run is the cause if all that mess going on up in that High School. Allow the administrators to control the school and stop micro manage
  • Disaster (05/11/2014, 19:10) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    What is equally amazing is how the public just accepts nonsense and mrun public relations day in day out without raising to the occasion
  • the real pat (05/11/2014, 19:30) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is time for the Myrun and the NDP to give the country a break now!!! The country needs a chance to breathe too much potricks in education
  • say so (05/11/2014, 19:39) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
    Yet still he add an extra year...hmmmm

  • hey (05/11/2014, 21:15) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let we do this ting he need to be dead rest f:::: talk
  • bvi high school (06/11/2014, 05:57) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    when they mean locked down anyone caught outside will be suspend for to days boy this school need jesus and serious help
  • nonsense (06/11/2014, 08:28) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    First of all: fights been going on in ESHS for years. Why y'all acting like this is new? This is stale news. I graduated in 2013. And I remember when for a whole wee there were fights. Y'all stop talk foolishness. The minister can't stop fight and beating a student going to do. Those teachers will definitely have a law suit on their hands. If you not my parent you don't have the right to put your hands on me.
    • doc (06/11/2014, 20:27) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Yes I may agree but it's worst now more than ever so what nonsense you come chatting
  • Loooooooool (06/11/2014, 20:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Reading these comment make me laugh but to me I think they should separate the seniors and juniors because the conduct & behavior the youngsters are seeing isn't good !! Think Big Think BETTER !!
  • Nice (06/11/2014, 23:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    How much longer will this misguided students be allowed to destroy the reputation of ESHS? The minister needs to step up to the plate. He needs to stop excusing them and come up with strategies to deal with deviant students once and for all.
  • OK Then (07/11/2014, 10:55) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Who the cap fit let them wear it the teachers and parents was against what mr. tobin was trying to accomplish in the high school.So why complain now what u buy u wear.
  • sanhedrinus (07/11/2014, 11:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This whole malady began when Law created the premise that an Minor can not give consent. Problem who is
    making this gesture certainly not the so called Minor. We the Adults whether we are called Parents or
    Legislators are telling our Children without saying directly. If you are under the age of 18 yrs you can indulge
    in the Sex Act and you can not be punished if you are an Female. Which creates yet an other problem a
    school filled with Pregnant Mothers and an Jail filled with little boys that can not even support themselves even
    if they were not in Jail. Solution we need now to Administer Law before we jump to enforce Law and this should begin at Primary School level. Not wait until the Children reach before the Magistrate that then informs them ignorance of the Law is no excuse. In closing by telling our daughters you can not be punished
    for having Sex with a Macho Man because you are an Minor our daughters themselves becomes Macho Women inadvertently......
  • truthfully (09/11/2014, 08:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I don't believe that the state of affairs is any worse than when i was in HS. The difference is that now we have online news platforms that share what's going on with the public. We had gang fights, all out brawls, girl on girl, boy on girl, boy on teacher... you name it. But they were handled as they presented themselves and we went back to business as usual. Maybe it is time for us to try a new systematic approach but i don't agree with all the blame being cast on the education minister.
  • Raf (26/12/2014, 20:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    the Cayman Islands faced a similar problem until they appointed Learning Mentors to deal with Behaviour and
    Pastoral issues. Negative behaviors are tacked before they escalate. Teachers use a three strikes you're out system with students. After the third strike students are removed from the classroom and the issues are addressed. School counsellors also make up a response team and all staff are urged to build relationships with students so that they can have someone to turn too to resolve issues rather than go to physical fights.


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