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Hon Walwyn responds to ‘scholarship class system’ with reminder on STF

- Youth leader & businessman Rajah A. Smith accused the Education & Culture Minister Myron V. Walwyn of building a class system in education
Youth leader and businessman Rajah A. Smith (left) has accused the Education and Culture Minister Myron V. Walwyn of building a class system in education. Photo: VINO/File
This Scholarship Trust Fund (STF), which was started since 2008 under the VIP, entails an agreement with the Caribbean Development Bank where $5M was obtained to set up a revolving loan scheme to assist Virgin Islanders seeking to obtain an education at the tertiary level, including at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC). Photo: VINO/File
This Scholarship Trust Fund (STF), which was started since 2008 under the VIP, entails an agreement with the Caribbean Development Bank where $5M was obtained to set up a revolving loan scheme to assist Virgin Islanders seeking to obtain an education at the tertiary level, including at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC). Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- It was the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) youth leader and seasoned businessman Rajah A. Smith who a few weeks ago accused the National Democratic Party (NDP) Administration of building a class system in education as it relates to granting of scholarships.

Mr Smith was at the time a panelist on the VIP radio show ‘Let’s talk’ on ZBVI 780 AM on February 4, 2015

How is the NDP building a class system?

The Youth Master told the public in an opening statement on the show that he “rejects the notion of a class system whereby some are left behind like the NDP has continued to do.”

Mr Smith, who earlier this year announced his intention to seek the VIP nomination through its Congress to run as a Territorial candidate, said his VIP believes while there must be criteria for government scholarships being paid for by the tax payers the new policy of the Minister for Education Myron V. Walwyn, where one has to have at least five CXC subjects in order to qualify for a government scholarship, is wrong and a misguided policy.

“I know many persons my age group who did not have 5 CXCs, however, were able to obtain a scholarship under the VIP Government and today they are success stories all over the Virgin Islands,” said Mr Smith.

Walwyn responds with statement

In his response to Mr Smith, Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn,
at the Third Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Second House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands held on Thursday, February 12, 2015 said in effect there is an alternative to his policy through the Scholarship Trust Fund Board Loans.

Minister Walwyn told the House of Assembly (HoA)  that “Madame Speaker,….Government grants a certain number of scholarships every year but recognises that it is impossible to meet all the funding needs of every single person in the Territory, and hence the need for the Scholarship Loan Fund”.

He stopped short of giving the public the criteria to obtain a loan from the funds.

Another VIP programme

This Scholarship Trust Fund (STF), which was started since 2008 under the VIP, entails an agreement with the Caribbean Development Bank where $5M was obtained to set up a revolving loan scheme to assist Virgin Islanders seeking to obtain an education at the tertiary level.

The Minister admitted in his statement that “previous Administrations placed a very high premium on the education of our people”.

The controversial Walwyn told the HoA that “since 2011, the Scholarship Trust Fund Board has invested in 102 persons for study in various fields and committed funds of over USD $2.7 M from the loan fund. This success came about as a result of the collaboration between the Ministry of Education and Culture, National Bank of the Virgin Islands, Caribbean Development Bank and the Board appointed to administer the fund.”  

Public Relations needed

The first time Minister stated that “the loan fund is under-utilised and the Board has recognised the need for more marketing to get the word out regarding the availability of additional funding. They have been working relentlessly to get the word out to the population on the availability of this fund and have met some success,” Walwyn said.

The Minister told the people that “I would like to urge persons in the community to make use of this loan programme in realising their pursuits. This is an important source of funding for tertiary level education as we all work together in the pursuit to create a culture of excellence and place and even higher value on the opportunities that a well-educated society can provide for all in our community.”

Walwyn done nothing for education-critics

Many of Hon Walwyn’s critics have said he has done little or nothing for the past three years for education and the youths and has politicalised the education system from hiring of teachers and principals, to which students get into which schools and even who is allowed as vendors at the public schools.

They have also accused him for the past three years of ignoring the sister islands’ schools, especially Anegada and Jost van Dyke.

Closing opportunities for youth

Youth Master Smith lambasted the NDP a few weeks ago, again on the same radio show, for what he described as “closing opportunities for Virgin Islanders and not opening it, as the VIP believes in doing”.

The youth leader stated that “the VIP will strive to make our young people independent by giving them a hand up and not a handout!”

39 Responses to “Hon Walwyn responds to ‘scholarship class system’ with reminder on STF”

  • Really? (13/02/2015, 09:38) Like (26) Dislike (7) Reply
    Many of Hon Walwyn’s critics have said he has done little or nothing for the past three years for education and the youths and has politicalised the education system from hiring of teachers and principals, to which students get into which schools and even who is allowed as vendors at the public schools.

    They have also accused him for the past three years of ignoring the sister islands’ schools, especially Anegada and Jost van Dyke.


    When statements like these are made knowing the facts out there, it's hard to take these stories seriously. Love or hate the man, but to say he has done little or nothing in Education, come on.
    • @ Really? (13/02/2015, 10:07) Like (6) Dislike (11) Reply
      so why you aint name some things that he has done ...repeating the VIP projects will not work bossie
    • smh (14/02/2015, 19:50) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      Mr. Smith is described as a youth leader and youth master. What qualifications / experienced has he gained to be termed such - Commissioner of the JF / Save the Seed basketball tournament?
      I am not trying to be funny, but he must have done something, if these accolades are attributed to him.
      It just that I am not aware of them.
  • ... (13/02/2015, 09:46) Like (12) Dislike (14) Reply
    Rajah boy you got Myron hopping!
    • Jojo (13/02/2015, 10:20) Like (20) Dislike (3) Reply
      Does Rajaas also know that the colleges and universities are now asking for CXC passes before entry. The days of his time in high school were a long time before the Caribbean students were using US colleges and universities.
      • @ jojo (13/02/2015, 10:50) Like (13) Dislike (6) Reply
        Stop tell LIES and trying to fool the people my son got into UVI with 2 CXC not 5 and I went to UWI Cave Hill with 2 GCE and 2 CXC not 5!!!..Set of moo moo up and down the place telling LIES because they desperate to get back on power to get rich out of the treasury…STOP IT we doing facts checks this time around
        • Umm (13/02/2015, 12:19) Like (13) Dislike (3) Reply
          Hear that? UVI and UWI, people are going to the America, Canada, Europe And Asia to study now honey, standards are completely different in those areas and colleges/universities.
          • l (13/02/2015, 13:51) Like (11) Dislike (4) Reply
            Sorry, but the Universities in the USA are not asking for CXC either. I don't know about Canada, Europe and Asia. Also, the scholarships stipulate that 2 years must be done at HLSCC. After 2 years those credits can be transfered with no need for CXC.
            • Stop being stupid! (13/02/2015, 15:24) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
              They may not ask for CXC by name, but there are requirements asking for a certain 'equivalence'. CXC is equivalent to many accepted international standards as well, which is why it remains relevant. Just because they may not ask for it by name or explicitly, doesn't mean it's not accepted.
            • indeed (13/02/2015, 15:39) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
              If the colleges and universities accepts your non accredited credits. Very little US institutions ask for CXCs, maybe those in Texas and Florida i.e. states that are closest to the region. However, the SAT scores would surpass the CXC.
              • check it (13/02/2015, 19:30) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
                They do ask for your regional exam results and in our case it is CXC. How else can we compete for places in US colleges when the bar is raised for other countries. Our students do well because many of them go in with some college experience under their belt and the others go in with 5 plus CXC's. You all need to get the facts please, please.
                Hon Walwyn, win lose or draw you are doing a great job and this statement is not politically motivated just straight up fact
              • @indeed (15/02/2015, 20:47) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
                SAT don't mean nothing if you take it because US n BVI High school requirements doesn't match to graduate. CXC is needed for BVI international students because a regular high school diploma doesn't equate to a US diploma. School request you to visit www.jsilny.com to get your diploma evaluate.
            • Nice (14/02/2015, 09:04) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
              Yes some universities in the US are asking for CCXC.
              My son and I went to universities in Georgia and Thoth universities asked for 5 CXCs.
        • chad (13/02/2015, 12:39) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
          if you have a son in college then u must be old. don't you think times change.
        • @jojo moo moo (13/02/2015, 13:01) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
          No ones accepst 2 cxc now for entry into University don't be fooled with your crap...its now a mandatory 5 and up including passing grades in English and Math!! go wash ur hog feet with your crap!!
        • pancho (14/02/2015, 12:16) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
          I had no gce or cxc and went to and graduate from college. God nor Cc will mark my identity or define me.
      • HMP (13/02/2015, 18:53) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        You need to stop tell lies.
  • weed (13/02/2015, 09:52) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Look at the young jokey mvw got chairing the funds a minister son...Talk about conflict of interest!
  • ndp (13/02/2015, 09:59) Like (7) Dislike (13) Reply
    I like this match up between Myron and Roger...My money on the young horse BAM
  • ndp (13/02/2015, 09:59) Like (13) Dislike (3) Reply
    Desperation! NDP 4 more years, say it with me!
  • VI man (13/02/2015, 10:10) Like (10) Dislike (24) Reply
    At least rojah could beat Myron and Archie
  • BVILANDER NO PARTY (13/02/2015, 10:13) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
    A lot of them NDP cowbirds trying to marginalize ragger but the VIP did the same thing in 2011 to Alvera, Malone, Myron and even Deloris when they heard she was coming back…history going reap itself Keep the pressure on um Mr. Smith
    • Schups (13/02/2015, 10:59) Like (22) Dislike (2) Reply
      Raja hasn't said anything with sense up to this day. The only sensible thing he said so far is "Good night" when he appears on the radio, that's it.
  • i from here (13/02/2015, 10:25) Like (12) Dislike (12) Reply
    Who pushing this dude to shame he self so buddy ?
  • ooooo (13/02/2015, 11:06) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
    according to miss P...myron needs to STF up.....lol
  • SHAME (13/02/2015, 12:24) Like (56) Dislike (6) Reply
    Is this the same minister who tell the Telle Com. Regulation Commission Chairman to lie?
  • Yes (13/02/2015, 13:12) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ronnie also said "dont level the playing field" and "yo could cuss now and again"
  • Schups (13/02/2015, 13:45) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    If you put Raja on the spot and ask him to spell 'scholarship' he would freeze up like a sidewalk in Boston during a blizzard. You see anybody studying these fools?
    • teacher john (13/02/2015, 15:27) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
      do not go there about spelling because I just read the Youth policy and tis full of bad spellings and grammer even "Min'stry" on the cover is spell wrong... sho mvw is the biggest moo moo in town
  • 666 (13/02/2015, 15:05) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Rajah all the talk you talking List 5 positive things you have ever done for the young men in your district? Pyure poppy showness VIP supporting. Yall really feel any sensible man out here studying Rajah
  • the builder. (13/02/2015, 15:51) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Myron I am surprise you drag yourself into this. Be wise. When the stage is set and the time and place is right, that`s when you fight, on the big stage, the main bout. leave the small stage for the amateurs.
    • John Black (14/02/2015, 03:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Rajah is one of the director of Biwater Bvi ,why didn't he form and investment group and give them shares .Instead they have the teachers union crying because since by water the profits become less now the teachers union wants to invest in the cruise pier project and Rajah boss telling people don't invest why didn't they let the people of this territory invest Biwater and the phone company they brought in to kill Cct.
  • OVER AND OUT (13/02/2015, 20:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yes myron easy to intrap keep in he weak head vip
  • ehem (13/02/2015, 21:26) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Personally I think the Education minister is a bit stuckup but aside from that the man has been doing a Stella of a job. He gets it when it comes to the education of our future and shows tireless work in addressing the shortfalls. If he had the money and build brand new schools with all the amenities to facilitate learning he will still not get some people support simply cause many hold hate, envy and grudge so deep they can't see nothing with clear vision. I don't back no party I can see true passion and work for myself.
  • fish (13/02/2015, 21:30) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    now the right thing to do is for the ndp and myron to step aside
  • J-STONE (13/02/2015, 23:03) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    I have no cxc or gce I have a college education 5 yrs never been asked for any. Only thing the U.S. ask for is your HS diploma or equivalent and your SAT. I will say this elementary education in the BVI is boss, college education in the US is great. Sad part is that certain majors in the US is not accepted in the BVI they insist on Caribbean Diplomas. As for the political side of this I don't play politics so form your own opinion.
  • sea weed (15/02/2015, 08:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ndp and funny man must go


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