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

Hon Walwyn fails! Not ready with space for extra High School year

- Sixth Form students to be housed @ HLSCC
Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn has failed to deliver on the promise to have the additional classrooms for Sixth Form students in place for the September 2016/17 school term. Photo: VINO/File
The first batch of extra year students are to be housed at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College. Photo: VINO
The first batch of extra year students are to be housed at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College. Photo: VINO
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Culture Dr Marcia Potter confirmed our information as accurate. Photo: VINO/File
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Culture Dr Marcia Potter confirmed our information as accurate. Photo: VINO/File
It is understood that the HLSCC is making preparations to accommodate the extra year students. Photo: VINO
It is understood that the HLSCC is making preparations to accommodate the extra year students. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Demonstrating clearly that Government is not ready for a decision that many felt was forced on parents, it has been disclosed to this news site that from the new academic year, students who are to take the extra year in high school after completion of Fifth Form will be housed in the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) at Paraquita Bay for now.

Our sources close to the issue said preparations are being made for the students to be accommodated at the college.

When the news of this decision first hit the streets of the Virgin Islands, it was crystal clear that the decision was not a popular one, neither did it enjoy the support of most parents.

We sought confirmation from the Ministry of Education and Culture and confirming the information that the students will be housed at the college was Permanent Secretary in the Ministry Dr Marcia Potter.

Speaking to this news site yesterday, Dr Potter said that while the information was accurate, she said the Minister Honourable Myron V. Walwyn is to make an official announcement on it and hence she did not want to speak before the Minister made his announcement.

Not everyone looking forward to additional school year

For many of those parents it has been a long and well planned out year as they were well ready to see their children move on to college or other higher level of learning. They were, however, left with no choice but to shift those plans for 2017 as with the additional school year there will be no graduation after completing fifth form but rather at the end of completing the sixth form.

Many parents told us over the past months that they were not given an opportunity to study the decision which was just thrown at them. They noted that it would be one more hard year for them as parents.

Discussions were held

"We are not adding sixth form as it is known in other Caribbean countries or the United Kingdom. What we are doing is adding an additional year to the school lifecycle in order to give our students the time needed to complete the curriculum and hence allow them to be ready when they leave the secondary level to go on to tertiary education or the world of work," Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn had said back in September 2014 as he sought to bring clarity to the additional school year.

He had also explained that the initiative within the school system will result in children having thirteen years of schooling instead of twelve, from Kindergarten through Grade 12.

At that time he had said he was aware that there would be some issues that would come with the additional year including space, additional teachers and need for more resources; however, he assured they would have discussed these potential issues and put measures in place to address them.

Hon Walwyn had also said the Ministry of Education and the Department of Education did hold consultations with the public, teachers and principals on the additional year.

‘A Levels, CXC better options’

It was a general census among the parents that a sixth form should have been optional and, like many other sister Caribbean countries where there is sixth form, it should be for 'A' levels. "That's what makes sense. And what would make more sense is for them to cut out the School Leaving Examination and let the kids put all their energies into doing CXC which is a Caribbean examination. School leaving can only get them to HLSCC but CXC can get them anywhere in the Caribbean," opined Ms Delma Gracio-Stevens some months ago.

"With CXC many of them can go further their studies in Guyana, Trinidad, and Barbados. Those countries have top of the line tertiary schools and even CXC gets them in good colleges and universities in the [United] States," added Ms Gracio-Stevens.

Meanwhile, Hon Walwyn in March of this year had disclosed that some 80 additional classrooms for Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) and Bregado Flax Educational Centre (BFEC) on Virgin Gorda were to be built in time for the September school term.

He, however, complained that he was only given $3M for capital projects in the 2016 budget and it is now clear that the classrooms may not be built in time.

63 Responses to “Hon Walwyn fails! Not ready with space for extra High School year”

  • kedrick (08/06/2016, 08:15) Like (104) Dislike (3) Reply
    Poor falla i knew the job was over his head....cant even run a lil ministry he wants to run the country strupps!,,
    • Dr. Blows (08/06/2016, 10:02) Like (61) Dislike (1) Reply
      Can you imagine?? That bald eagle is just pure trouble. Wasn't he the one that said he didn't want the new(younger) students to mingle with the old students??? So now he will go mingle them up with the MUCH OLDER college students?? OH SEND HELP!!
      • GOVERNOR (08/06/2016, 17:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        They Are Actually Sending The Seniors Thoo .
        • Dr. Yang (09/06/2016, 16:29) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
          They still young compared to the college students
        • @governor (11/06/2016, 00:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          You have no idea how stupid these plans are. All the seniors are not taking CAPE at the college. To date we do not have the work force to cover high school and the college. They expect the kids to do a 2 yr program in 1. They will of coarse tell poor parents that they have identified teachers from amongst the existing staff to carry the burden you guys can believe that if you want...all this is just to build an impressive NDP folder Never mind how it is executed. My advice.... Send your children to CAHS in st Thomas!
          • parent (18/06/2016, 21:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
            Before I send my cold to St. Thomas I the middle of that gang violence to catch his death, I will stick with my country and its sixth form
    • parent (08/06/2016, 15:33) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      WHY HE IS SENDING OUR CHILDREN UP THERE IN THAT MOLDY PLACE UP THERE IS FULL OF MOLD AND HE IS NOT ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM . MY CHILD IS NOT GOING UP THERE BECAUSE I LOVE MY CHILD TOO MUCH TO SEND HER UP THERE TO GET SICK. THESE SO CALL ///////// HAVE NO CONCERN FOR HUMAN.MR MINISTER I AM TELLING YOU THAT MOLD URGENT ATTENTION .
      • More surprises. (08/06/2016, 19:13) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        Mold in High School killing them the same way. They suffering both places.
  • Interesting (08/06/2016, 08:27) Like (57) Dislike (0) Reply
    When your motives are guided by politics and not country the results are usually confusion an unpreparedness
    • SHUT UP (08/06/2016, 14:21) Like (5) Dislike (6) Reply
      If they did graduate that's where most of them were going to attend . They are already the age of people that attend hlscc
    • Reply (08/06/2016, 23:48) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      This is all you have to say?
  • wize up (08/06/2016, 08:35) Like (40) Dislike (0) Reply
    why cant BVI Airways give back to the education system in this territory after all them getting almost 10-million so in good faith give back to the community.......I know and understand the BVI needs better air-lift BUT these islands are being developed at the expense of your sons and your daughters(our future).....I personally think that almost 10-million of your tax money should have gone to educate our children(knowledge is power)..run go talk that!!!!
    • Tis Truth!! (08/06/2016, 13:08) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ wixe up...

      I agree with your position completely:: Additionally, companies go into business and countries to make big,ry big money. The population and its needs are of never a concern. Hence, it is the governments job to measure and scrutnize that fine balance between business, profit and contribution.

      ...

      By Joshua D. Copeland

      “What if these slavery movies were never for Black audiences to begin with?”


      It’s a question one should ask themselves when reliving the painful memories of our ancestors beaten, raped and broken by white slave owners onscreen. Most Black slave films leave us with lessons about how well we can take an a** whipping and survive or that our liberation is in the hands of some compassionate, White savior…

      Shortly after BET premiered “Book of Negroes” starring Aunjanue Ellis and Cuba Gooding Jr., WGN America announced their new drama “Underground” about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. They’re even coming out with the animated film “Bilal” about the man who went from slavery to being the voice of Islam…






      Hollywood seems adamant on making sure we never forget “where we came from.” But rarely if ever, do they show films about our REAL African history. Why is Hollywood so comfortable with only telling our stories of bondage? Does it have to do with pleasing the majority White audiences?

      We’ve been fed the same regurgitated stories of weak and defenseless Africans boarding slave ships and working in cotton and tobacco fields since grade school. So the concern may not be learning what they wantus to know – But to constantly remind us that we were once slaves to keep the enslaved mentality alive.
  • I Saw This Coming A Mile Away (08/06/2016, 08:47) Like (58) Dislike (0) Reply
    My child is in 11th grade this year and is affected. I saw this coming from the time they said no graduation this year. This is the height of nonsense. What are you sending these children up to the college to do. You should have let them graduate and then they would rightfully belong up there. As it is, where will you find teachers to teach them and what exactly will you be teaching them? They have completed the curriculum, done their CXCs the only thing left for them to do is put on their gowns and walk down the aisle. Its not too late to salvage the situation. Call a graduation for the end of the month and let the children graduate.
    • Peaches (08/06/2016, 15:12) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      @I saw This Coming a Mile Away I TOTALLY agree with you! It's not too late for him to turn around and cancel this NONSENSE about an extra year! The problem is not the school it this the HOME! so no matter how you try the HOME needs fixing! many children come from homes where they witness the father and mother fight and quarrel like cats and dogs every single day, they witness and experience sexual molestation! The father and mother need to get their act together or separate from causing the children to have these bad experiences. When they see these things at home they bring them into the school and cause harm to other children who come from well ordered homes. Just this morning coming I was telling my child that this should not have not be instituted. Hon. Myron it is not too late to cancel this 6th form!! The same place you did not want the children is the same place you now sending them? THIS IS BACKWARDNESS! If my child was one having to go up by the college I would have taken him/her out of ESHS. Myron you did not have the approval of the population but because you run things you took the matter into your own hands. FIX IT!!
    • Agree (08/06/2016, 21:45) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      I totally agree with you, these children really got the shorter end of the stick. what happen to the summer job training? The children were left to apply for summer jobs and are being pushed around. why didn't the ministry or the school see that these children was afforded the same opportunity as the children in the past by providing summer job training for them.
  • BVIslander (08/06/2016, 09:13) Like (16) Dislike (3) Reply
    ". . . cut out the School Leaving Examination and let the kids put all their energies into doing CXC which is a Caribbean examination. School leaving can only get them to HLSCC but CXC can get them anywhere in the Caribbean." That is such a biased statement and so untrue. Why is there always an attempt to denigrate anything BVI, yet all roads lead to BVI? I never attended HLSCC after graduating from BVI High School with my School Leaving Certificate, I attended and graduated from a reputable Caribbean College; and later attended and graduated from a reputable North American University with my Honours Bachelors degree. Others have, also. BVI can stand tall if those at the helm believe and promote such a stand.

  • i from here (08/06/2016, 09:21) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    He a fail yo say ? LOL! This website!
    • @ i from here (08/06/2016, 10:26) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
      maybe that million dollar wall $$$$ could have put up a few class rooms
  • Hey Big Spender (08/06/2016, 09:24) Like (43) Dislike (0) Reply
    let him go tell Lorna and Rusell to get some of the 7 Million back from BVI Airways to go pay for extra class rooms this is shameful and big time embarrassing...shows Myron will always be a political light weight!
  • flUffy (08/06/2016, 09:26) Like (33) Dislike (2) Reply
    One of the questions I have is, who would be responsible now for getting these children to and from paraquita Bay?
    • kick back (08/06/2016, 10:37) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      not to worry he has many "boys" driving taxis he will find one
  • dont want to hear nobody (08/06/2016, 09:40) Like (49) Dislike (1) Reply
    i honestly dont want to hear nobody complain because come election yall going go ahead and vote NDP right back in after witnesses the madness... ah few fancy roads and fireworks and yall going forget about this too. just my 2 cents
    • wize up (08/06/2016, 10:35) Like (2) Dislike (20) Reply
      @ don't want to hear: I will be voting NDP the next election and voting NDP all the way(that's for sure)
    • Tis Truth!! (08/06/2016, 14:33) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      @ don't want to hear.....

      Greetings!! It should be considered that placing one's entire being into one political party is not a sound "political" practice. For example, if one regards the government as an instrument of change and growth, then the people must elect individuals to government that will strive to deliver the goods and services the people are in need of.

      Additionally, what political instrument/party is there in the here and now that have the ability to deliver the leadreship the country needs in the here and now??

      Personally, a personal comittment to just one political party is folly. It creats too much sissent amongst the people as is evident amongst the VIP and NDP supporters.

      I cast for the most viable and capable party with the most qualified, politically, at the moment in time, the one assumed to get the most done for country and people. Today, thatis the NDP.

      If NDP becomes incapable of being a productive political entiy tomorrow, would there be any reason to vote yes for its leadership? Which the VIPis situated at the moment.

      The question of "a political party relevance" in the 21st century garners much thought, but it will be a cotroversial topic to throw out now.
    • Just saying (09/06/2016, 11:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Ppl here need to vote according to who's doing their job looking out for the better of the country and stop voting for party...
  • A Parent (08/06/2016, 09:49) Like (4) Dislike (29) Reply
    I know I am going to get a lot of flack for this but, Myron, I understand what you are doing. As a parent I understand and I am for this. I am only speaking for myself.
    • A Parent too (08/06/2016, 13:10) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
      All I understand from your posting is that you "understand". Please enlighten me what you understand so I can understand too.
  • mr bullheaded (08/06/2016, 10:02) Like (29) Dislike (1) Reply
    He wont listen ...He think he knows everything...See wha happen now?
  • wastage (08/06/2016, 10:05) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    The prison wall around the school, the cruise pier debacle and the donated airline money.
  • Churchgoer (08/06/2016, 10:14) Like (41) Dislike (0) Reply
    When you fail to plan, you plan to fail. This in nonsense to the max. So for the first time in the History of the high school in the Virgin Islands there is NO graduation because of one Minister's ego. Need to stop trippin'
    • School leaver (08/06/2016, 10:32) Like (19) Dislike (6) Reply
      This is not about ego, this is about unemployment!
      The unemployment figures are the worst for 25 years and graduating fifth formers will only swell these figures even more. So, keep them in education, let them hang out at HLSCC and hope tings improve!
      The country is not only broke but it has no jobs for the youth to go to. Even qualified persons can't find jobs, once the offshore finance attacks kick in Tola will be a ghost town. Who will switch off the lights?
      • Another Parent (08/06/2016, 12:35) Like (1) Dislike (15) Reply
        Thank you School Leaver, I agree with you. Ego has nothing to do with this. I too understand what Myron is doing. And I am behind him 100%. People have to stop and think and see this is the best decision made. So what if the kids have to spend an extra year in school. My daughter have to do it, it is not going to kill her.
      • ASKING (08/06/2016, 12:59) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
        @ School Leaver so who tell you that things will improve in 1-2 years ? Things could get worst
        • School leaver (08/06/2016, 17:57) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
          @asking. Did not say things will improve, can not see they will. What I say is what they are thinking/hoping. Just delaying the inevitable. MW will not be here to switch the lights out.
      • Unemployed (08/06/2016, 15:20) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        I will
      • Churchgoer2 (08/06/2016, 15:53) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
        So if the country is broke and has no jobs what employment are you talking about?? You seem to be talking loud and saying nothing. Myron was ego trippin.
        • How??? (08/06/2016, 22:41) Like (0) Dislike (10) Reply
          How is Myron ego tripping? Please answer that. As much as you people dislike him, do you really think he is going to ego trip on your children's education/future? Leave the man alone and let him do his job.I am quite sure the kids will be in one section of the college and the adults in another section. Do you think the kids is going to be sitting in a class room with adults?
          Things did not work out the way that they were planned. Myron will figure it out. Let the man do his job.
      • Jah knows (09/06/2016, 05:06) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        So let us just add 3 more years to the high school education then....yeah right cause adding one will make a big difference...pure nonsense...let them graduate and do full time college
  • fraser (08/06/2016, 10:25) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Where are the trushies now? Are they still here?
  • --------------- (08/06/2016, 10:38) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Premier NEVER just not ready
  • what a mess (08/06/2016, 11:40) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    this is nonsense they want to do everything then say no money dey to complete these expensive projects dey want to do make them give back the money dem putting in dem pocket
  • Ghost of Paul (08/06/2016, 13:17) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    He who has no respect for our culture is hell bent on changing it, whether or not it makes sense is inconsequential
  • ta ta (08/06/2016, 13:22) Like (26) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ndp must go bottom line
  • to big to beg (08/06/2016, 14:28) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    What this bald head fool don't take a page from the Chinese Minister and beg. When they needed money for the equipment for the hospital he asked for donations. Between the rich white friends and party loyalists they should have scraped up a measly three million dollars.Let CC and the TT Minister give back some of what they got from the Pier Park mess.
  • mandy (08/06/2016, 15:15) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    from time this man said 'he could not protect locals' he should have been ran out of office...Tola people weak and sift
  • answer (08/06/2016, 15:57) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why don't you start fundraising
  • Wake Up Call! (08/06/2016, 18:00) Like (25) Dislike (0) Reply
    Visioning? With all these highly paid consultants within this sitting government administration, why aren’t there any ongoing longitudinal study being undertaken for these leaders to make informed, educated and intelligent decisions on Education Reform and Development in our territory? Likewise, with all the empirical data on best and proven practices and efficacy available on this topic from Harvard, Japan, Finland, Canada, South Korea, Singapore, Sweden, Latvia, Chile, Cuba, Brazil, etc., why are we still so weak on planning, strategizing, and executing.

    I am getting so tired of all this political rhetoric on “The Hundred Monkey Effect.” If we intend to play and play well in this manufactured consent western system, we must encompass an international (global) scope. It’s time to present facts and proof and not sell us fantasies when it comes to Education Reform and other mechanisms in the Virgin Islands. We need to know which institutions have implemented these measures and what are the correlational matrices and findings? Results!

    The fact is, in most cases, all that is required is a little “common sense” approach, like getting back to the fundamentals in Education. What is important, not walls and highly paid consultants. The children need resources, resources, resources; a strong push for more parental support and involvement, possibly a few hours on Saturday for those children who need extra support and others who require the extra practice and/or exposure on grasping the fundamental concepts in Math, English, Science, Health, etc. the children need inclusive and consistent support systems and mentoring programs, early life experience applications programs, etc.

    I have presented research to some government ministries and institutions in the past, but have never once heard anything of the information being acknowledged, nor utilized. I presumed because I am a Local who does not wish to laden our people with exorbitant consultant fees, my research is possibly being regarded as irrelevant. So many people in the Virgin Islands are on the take, very-very few are replenishing; at this pace, the consequence is inevitable.

    From time to time I present comments on the blogs and seem to get quite a bit of push back and dislikes because my comments might appear to come across as shocking and controversial, which by the way, is the intent. “Because if we don’t start standing for something, we will fall for anything.” The bubble will burst eventually, regardless if we decide to accept it now, or be forced to realize this later. Do we ever intent to proactively engage and involve ourselves in the discourse in which to develop the most effective measures to vigorously “prepared and advance” our young human resources talent pool, or do we wish to be continually dictated too?

    I am an Educator, both institutionally trained and self-taught. Self-taught, which I encourage as a strong supplement to what is being taught in the classroom, and one in which I consider to be the best unconditioned education that anyone can pursue for conscious process critical thinking. Common Sense Thinking- the responsibility of an Educator is to water the root of the plant so it grows into a healthy tree and eventually bring forth healthy flowers and/or fruits. Demand More, You Get More.

    Noteworthy, I do not get carried away with sensationalized sound bites and spins; I qualify information based on facts, evidences and sound reasoning, and I would hope that we all demand the same. Wake Up People!
  • I"m just saying (08/06/2016, 21:58) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    When are we the parents going to stand up to this Minister of Education about these issues we are facing? This is nonsense. This clearly should be optional. And what am I hearing about the 6th Formers wearing uniforms and not having full access and contact with the HLSCC students? More expense for parents? Has anyone done a survey as to the ratio of past who they thought a sixth Form might have beneficial verses those who didn't really need it? We need an emergency meeting before school closes.
    • Peaches (09/06/2016, 00:12) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ I'm just saying you are so right! We need an emergency meeting at the ESHS! Better yet we as parents need to march against this nonsense and demand that the Minister put the ESHS back to the way it was! Drama free! BTW where is the Parent Teacher Association? ? You all sleeping? Or are you afraid if the Minister? Dr. Smith you are allowing your Ministers to do as they please, messing up the country!! Let's stop hiding behind these blogs and stand up!
  • I feel you (08/06/2016, 22:51) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    @wake up call, I blame the people of Tortola. All they do is get angry, complain and never do anything. In other Countries, parents/people get out there and protest for their rights. Once the people here start standing up for their rights they will get results.if I go to the bakery everyday and let them sell me stale bread and I don't say anything, they will continue to sell me stale bread because I allow them to get away with it.
    • sharetheblame (09/06/2016, 06:53) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      not just the people in Tortola, all VI people...anybody checking Anegada out and that pseudo-principal they put there? those parents asleep too....they better wake up
  • tretretrete (08/06/2016, 23:39) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    I saw all of this coming and I am not surprised. There was no consultation done with the children , their parents or there teachers. What they are calling consultation is actually presentations. They came to us and told us what they were going to do. They had everything prepackaged. They weren't interested in what we had to say.
    Up to now I am still trying to figure out the real motive behind the additional year because the reasons given are so lame :The children need more time to mature , children are too young while we have children in the junior school who are 18 +. What difference will an extra year make. ? The truth is many of our children are not ready for college and will never be ready for college if they don't change their attitude.
    I have said it before and I will say it again. Are our children in the BVI retarded ? How is it that every other country in the Caribbean is having their children write CXC after 5 years but we need an extra year. And the fact is many of them are writing 8, 9,10 subjects at the end of 5th form and then they move on to a real 6th form to do advanced studies. We are just turning our children into uncompetitive idiots.
    And the truth is CAPE was an afterthought. We have not planned for it properly ! Most institutions run a pilot project and do proper research before they institute a new program such as CAPE. so we are going to be left feeling our way in the dark.
    The other problem I saw with the additional year was the accommodation. Nobody will admit but we were already bursting at the seems with the 1400 children that we have.: problems with resources , disciplinary issues etc and we were being forced to accomodate more. Reminds me of bulk production.
    Oh and by the way : the high school has never been more insecure than it is now. One can enter the compound from all angles because there are open gaps in the wall and many areas are without the metal rails so anybody can just step over.
    My suggestion is urgently address the issue with the wall and delay this additional year until we sit down and property plan for it. Our children should not have to suffer for our incompetence.
  • just asking (09/06/2016, 06:35) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Vino had an article the other day that said a new C.E.O was being considered. What is the problem with the present C.E.O? As far as I know, she has been acting in the post for over 4 years. She is hard working and smart so why is she being side-stepped if the news is accurate? Could it be that she is not willing to follow her boss blindly with all the hurried, haphazard, do it now policies they are trying to institute? If that is the case, we are in real trouble in this country.
  • Curious (09/06/2016, 07:08) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    How will this extra year go? From what I understand, all these children will now be accommodated at the college. There are some who have not done any cxc, some one, some two, some five and some more. How is the time table going to be worked out? Will the children who have already passed their cxcs forced to sit in class for another year going over the same material? What if a child gets 7 ones? What will that child spend the year doing? As far as I understand, they will not be allowed to write more than one or two CAPE subjects. So the child may end up doing another two CXC subjects plus a CAPE subject. Does that make sense? You are going to be stalling the child for a year. If the child was elsewhere in the Caribbean, he would move on to either 6th form to do three or four CAPE subjects and then on to university. If they continue along this crazy path, we are going to end up with a lot of idling, frustration and boredom.
    And by the way, who is going to teach these children? Will the teachers from the high school have to travel up to the college to teach? Can the college accommodate the students doing subjects such as wood work, metal work, art and craft etc. or will these children have to travel back and forth between the high school and the college?
    I see the need for a lot of planning at this stage. I think we need to halt everything until we have a proper plan in place. It may be embarrassing but we all make mistakes and we shouldn't sacrifice our children for our pride.
  • Serious (09/06/2016, 07:45) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Vino pleeeeeease check out the wall around the high school and you will see that the children are not safe. Anybody can enter. It needs to be completed.
  • Just saying (09/06/2016, 12:02) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    This was an epic fail from the get go, not enough teachers, classrooms etc plus teachers have to purchase supplies for their classes from their own pockets, he's worried about another grade when it needs a proper cafeteria on the compound, if you ask me the kids already doing 12 grades since you wish to do things the U.S. Ways, stage 1&2, then primary 1-5, and secondary 1-5 add I you got your 12, if the problem was the kids coming out early start at a later age for stages...
  • .... (09/06/2016, 12:33) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Myron is just demonstrating what the NDP theme song said "Action speaks louder than words. Don't be deceived by the fancy talkers".

    They are the same ones who are deceiving the public daily.
  • De Dove (09/06/2016, 15:26) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Government Dont Have Money To Put Fans In Class Rooms Much Less Build New Ones ?! . Lol The Bvi Government Is A Piece Of Work. Let The Children Graduate End Of Month And Stop Playing With Their Future . It Is Clear That This Extra Year Is Not Going To Work Out . How Are You Going To Pay The New Teachers ? .. How Are You Going To Build New Class Rooms In Eshs And Bfec With No Money ? You Guys (The Government) Need To Think This Out Forreal . Let The Kids Graduate End Of Month And Stop Messing With Their Education !!
  • ... (09/06/2016, 23:23) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Commenting your frustration won't change anything... coming together as a people and trying to make a change might help... this is absolute nonsense!!! Along with all the other things these "educated" yet foolish delinquents are doing to our country!
  • Belonger With A Broader Perspective (10/06/2016, 04:29) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    Parents allow your children to take advantage of the extra year.there are high school. The education system needs revamping. There are high school and college students that can't do simple math equations, spell or formulate proper sentences.
  • @parent & parent 2 (11/06/2016, 00:54) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Do both of you realize that there are children in high school who have written their CXC exams already and can graduate? Why are they being saddled with an additional year to waste more time when they could be on their way to start their lives. The additional year is a waste of time at this level, its equivalent to giving a trained doctor a box of play dough and telling him to sit in a kindergarten class everyday and play! Of coarse they will tell you the 12th year students can earn credits for the classes they take but will those credits transfer easily when your child finally leaves for school? If they don't then you will be stuck paying for classes your child already did again. You people need to seriously consider how you vote. With the stroke of a pen you can secure or destroy your child's future.


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.