Hon Wheatley to make decision on Grade 12 ‘soon’
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) told reporters yesterday April 18, 2019 that he has already had discussions on the subject with the key players in the Education Ministry. “And you can expect that a decision can be made on that very soon, I will have an announcement on that soon, as it pertains to the additional school year.”
The occasion was the contract signing ceremony which saw contracts being awarded to four local contracting companies for the refurbishing of the Elmore Stoutt High School L- shaped building with the intention of having it completed in time for the September 2019 new academic school year.
The introduction of Grade 12 by the then National Democratic Party (NDP) administration was seen as a rather controversial one and had received much criticism from various stakeholders, including parents and teachers.
Former Principal of ESHS Mrs Sandy M. Underhill had even admitted that studentsfelt they were being targeted as guinea pigs. “It has been a long six years and what a year it was. A year of immense change that made you feel like you were being targeted as guinea pigs to be taken to the slaughter….Mrs Underhill had stated on June 22, 2017, during the graduation ceremony for the first batch of grade 12 students.
Mr Walwyn was criticised for making what persons considered an unnecessary change and that it was done hastily, including that there were not enough teachers for the extra year and lack of facility to house the students, who had to temporarily occupy a space at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) before the September 2017 hurricanes.
Current situation has psychological effect on students- Hon Wheatley
Meanwhile, as part of the process for moving from a state of recovery, Honourable Wheatley said he has advised Permanent Secretary in the Education Ministry Dr Marcia Potter to get all the stakeholders together, “So that we can discuss the concepts for the school.”
“Of course I have some very firm ideas in terms of what I would like to see but I w ant to speak to the administrators, I want to speak to the teachers, I want to speak to the principals ….the parents…the students and ensure that we have a concept that can help firmly establish our education system going into the future.
He added, “I am pleased that the Premier [Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1)] has added a commitment in terms of time because we want to get out of this perpetual state of recovery because it has psychological effects on the children.”
“We want to move from recovery into an educational state of excellence that will help to facilitate our economy and facilitate a harmonious sustainable development in this territory.
‘I apologise’
“When I look at the situation that the students and the teachers have had to face since the hurricanes, all I can say from the bottom of my heart is that I apologise to you. I apologise for you for the inadequate conditions that are really not fit to work in and to learn in but you have committed yourselves to the future of this territory which is the children.”
13 Responses to “Hon Wheatley to make decision on Grade 12 ‘soon’”
Let’s leave those in place please
Moreover, the VI is a resource-poor country. Like most of the region, it moved from a mono- economy——agriculture——to basically another mono-economy—-tourism/service economy. For the long-term the BVI has to diversify its economy. Education will be a core component in that economic diversification. As such, adding an additional grade adds value to the educational process. Is the additional grade lowering the quality of education? No. The additional grade will more effectively prepare graduates for higher education, world of work.......etc. A good idea is a good idea regardless of whom engineered it. Give Jack Jack’s jacket. In Caribbean politics, there is this destructive and divisive habit of gutting good programmes, processes.....etc just because they were engineered by people of a diffrent political persuasion. This practice is dysfunctional and retards progress. Let’s not slaughter what is good on the altar of political differences. The MEC needs to focus on strengthening the education core. The outer bands can be look at later. Shakespeare: Striving to better , oft we mar what is well. Commit to the refinement of an idea that’s how you end up with something valuable. Mistakes will happen . Missteps will occur. However, it is the momentum that makes a difference, and ensuring that time is not wasted waxing over the little tings that would end up moving the needle(Forbes). We must focus on the process, not so much on the end result. We cannot be focusing on the weeds while the forest burn.
out grade 6 plan.. our Education system need a complete overhaul and I pray Minister Wheatley turn over every stone..but yes we r in agreement..