Hon Fraser proposes Maritime Academy & new Jr High School
Hon Fraser who took the helm from Hon Ralph T. O’Neal OBE earlier this year in an internal party election called for an urgent reorganization of the education system and the construction of a new junior high school.
The four term elected member of the House of Assembly and party leader was at the time giving a national address first aired on November 12, 2014.
Thinking outside the box-Maritime & Oceanographic Sciences - Hon. Fraser
The VIP Leader told the public that “the VIP will with urgency, begin to reorganize the education system to ensure that Virgin Islanders are capable of managing the maritime and yachting industries, in partnership with investors and stakeholders.”
Hon Fraser continued, “This will entail the establishment of a Maritime and Oceanographic Sciences Curriculum, together with a supporting Maritime Academy, where Virgin Islanders will be trained full time, in all aspects of the maritime industry.”
The academy, will be a place of learning, both academic and vocational, and it will introduce a new maritime culture into the country's body politic according to the VIP Boss.
“We were once a people of a maritime culture! Wouldn't it be nice then to have that restored?” the former Deputy Chief Minister asked.
The academy will promote conservation and sustainability, and help to protect the marine environment by building geography and ecology, into all aspects of a new national maritime curriculum.
The academy will also work with the US Coast Guard, The Royal Navy, Shipping Registry, VISAR, and the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, to train its cadets, in all aspects of maritime security, the Third District Representative explained.
In selling his vision for the need for such a programme Hon Fraser said, “the academy will ensure, that the next generation of Virgin Islanders, is instructed in essential maritime skills”.
Hon Fraser further stated, “This academy has always been something I felt strongly about for this country. I will fight with all I have to get it established as Premier. My aim is to cooperate with any and all relevant interests; the objective of course is to find mutual footing”.
The national maritime programme will become a most vital project for a VIP Government.
The Maritime Academy with associated programmes, will ensure the employment of future generations in an industry that is vital to the country's bottom line, both socially and economically.
“All stakeholders, local and foreign, will be expected to contribute to this project, which will build economic growth, and equip our people, for the years ahead,” the new VIP Chairman Hon Fraser articulated with much excitement.
New Jr High School & No pie-in-the-sky policies
The VIP will build a new junior high school to address overcrowding, indiscipline, and other issues that impact the education system Fraser promised.
“Deviancy has become a cancer in the Virgin Islands education system, severely degrading the education product” he said.
He told residents that “the VIP will focus on rebuilding the deteriorating schools' infrastructure first, rather than embarking on any type of pie-in-the-sky projects or programmes.”
According to research done by this news site the 42 year old Virgin Islands Party has built all the schools both Primary and High Schools in the Territory from Anegeda to Jost van Dyke, Virgin Gorda and Tortola including the H. L Stoutt Community College as no other party has ever constructed a new school, but the VIP.
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24 Responses to “Hon Fraser proposes Maritime Academy & new Jr High School”
What about getting the HLSCC to actually follow through with this?
I like the fresh take on the idea but our problem isn't a lack of vision, it is execution.
The greatest thing about HLS wasn't his vision but his execution - he did things.
HLS had Gov$ to do things, dis place broke. More smoke!
Build a new high school after they give bilateral the land that ndp had earmarked for the new high school? If Fraser think anybody buying this bulls..t he lie. People don't change their ways overnight especially politicians. The NDP just opened a new secondary school with a focus on tech and vocational studies which will encompass all that Fraser here talking about. You missed the bus dude!
Ahhhh, see what you talking bout. Clever comment.
As a young boy growing up in the 9th district, my mother often took me with her when she traveled to St. Thomas in search of employment; which was necessary at the time, because of lack of employment here in the British Virgins. The wooden boats on which we traveled, were all built here in the Virgin Islands (usually at East End, West End and Virgin Gorda); and had very interesting sounding names like, the "Orange Leaf, the Wisdom, the May B, Mary M, Y Wonder, the Iris and other local sounding names". There was a sense of pride in knowing that we were producing something of such importance; that those vessels were built here in the Virgins Islands.
It would be an understatement if I were to refer to the builders and sailors of those vessels in any other way than amazing men of unusual skills and capability. Without formal maritime training, they understood and sailed according the tides (high and low tide, northern and southern tides). They understood way the phases of the moon affected the tides and currents etc. They sailed on those wooden boats, (motor-less, depending on the wind and currents only), as far as Anguilla, Antigua, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts, the Dominican Republic and other destinations. While it was of course hard work and dangerous in some cases, they did it with a sense of pride, because it was all about caring about their families.
I congratulate Mr. Frazer bringing these inspiring ideas to the public; especially knowing at this pre-election time one's ideas and concepts can be easily hijacked and claimed by others. In any case, whether Mr. Frazer is afforded the opportunity to give birth to these ideas or they are implemented by others, the Virgin Islands community would be the better for it, because of their implementation.
A great idea is a great idea, no matter where ever/whoever it came. from.