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

Lack of increment paid may impact performance @ HLSCC - Dr Dawson

- Most major enterprises at local Community College are running at a loss as President warned cutback in funding will have a negative impact on quality of institution’s output!
Controversial Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Myron V. Walwyn (right) is on a public relations offensive to add another year to the secondary schools in the Virgin Islands which will cost taxpayers more money. However, one of the education institutions under his portfolio the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College is on the verge of financial collapse due to the financial cutback by the Government. President of the College Dr. Karl Dawson also said on record that the cutbacks are affecting the quality of the product it must deliver. Photo: VINO
For the past two years of the National Democratic Party Administration no increments were paid to the staff and faculty at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College. This may impact how the staff and facility perform according to their President Dr. Karl Dawson. The financial crisis at the College is also having an impact on the capital, physical plant and the maintenance and upkeep of the Institution. Photo: VINO/File
For the past two years of the National Democratic Party Administration no increments were paid to the staff and faculty at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College. This may impact how the staff and facility perform according to their President Dr. Karl Dawson. The financial crisis at the College is also having an impact on the capital, physical plant and the maintenance and upkeep of the Institution. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - President of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) Dr. Karl Dawson has warned that the lack of paid increments to his staff and faculty at the college may “impact how they perform their duties at the institution.”

This information was made known at the House of Assembly’s Standing Finance Committee. At the time Dr. Dawson whose agency is a statutory body under the Ministry of Education and Culture was making his presentation. The Standing Finance Committee (SFC) was deliberating the 2014 Budget Estimates.

In response to a question from Honourable J. Alvin Christopher (R2) who asked, if the faculty had received their increments for the last two years, Dr. Dawson told the Committee that his last increment was in 2011.  At that time the Virgin Islands Party Government was in power. However, since the National Democratic Party (NDP) government took office no increments were paid.

Dr. Dawson, the College’s 4th President, also was frank about the cut back in funding at the College and how it continues to seriously impact the institution. While the Ministry of Education and the controversial Minister Honourable Myron V. Walwyn are on a public relations offensive on adding another year to the Territory’s Secondary Schools which will cost tax payers more money, the College which is now under the Ministry of Education and Culture is in trouble and could be on the verge of financial collapse.

Cutback in funding a serious impact

When asked by Hon. Christopher (R2) if the lack of proper funding being experienced by the College had “hampered the quality it must deliver and how it was affecting the output at the College,” Dr. Dawson confirmed that “fewer resources would have an impact.”

He went on to tell the SFC that since the students at the College were very young, he held the view that they would benefit from more interaction, but the faculty was limited in order to cover the budget for teaching. Dr. Dawson also stated that being in a position to recruit more qualified faculty would result in a better experience for the students.

Dr. Dawson the President of the only publicly funded and owned higher education institution in the Virgin Islands stated to the SFC that there was a decrease in funding and it had implications on the capital and physical plant and the maintenance and upkeep of the College.

Tuition hike on the way?

One of the fallouts of the NDP’s lack of proper funding of the Community College is the possibility of a tuition hike. Dr. Dawson told the SFC that “tuition would be considered for an increase since the main business consisted of offering classes and 80% of the students were eligible for the Tuition Assistance Programme. 

The President told the House Select Committee that the Tuition Assistance Programme whereby Government pay for local students to attend the institution continues to be “in arrears and they hoped to have some feedback from Government in regards to the programme.”

Bakery, Cafeteria & Bookstore running at a loss

Another troubling item that was revealed from the SFC report is that the bakery, cafeteria and bookstore are all running at a loss to taxpayers.

Member for the Six District Honourable Alvera Maduro-Caines asked about the viability of the College’s Cafeteria. To this the President stated that the Cafeteria was operating at a loss although that amount has been decreasing over the last few years. Dr. Dawson indicated that they would have to come to a clear understanding as to the correct level of subsidy.

Hon Canies also quizzed the College President about the Bookstore as she told the SFC that two SFCs ago, it had been stated that the Bookstore was operating at a loss.

To this Dr. Dawson confirmed that the Bookstore was still operating at a loss and efforts had been made to remedy the situation. He added that the Bursar would be looking into how they could improve the operations of the Bookstore. No specifics were given by President Dawson as to the steps to be taken.

College Bakery gone but still a financial loss!

Territorial Member Honourable Archibald C. Christian asked the President if the Bakery located on Main Street in Road Town, the Virgin Islands’ capital city was still under the purview of the College.

President Dawson stated that the College gave up the bakery at the end of February 2013 after a review of the Finance Committee and its recommendation to the Board.

Honourable Christian asked if the closing of the bakery helped with cash flow. The President stated that “they were making a lost at that enterprise”. However, the terms and conditions of the ‘giving up’ of the Road Town Bakery were not disclosed or who the new owners are.

36 Responses to “Lack of increment paid may impact performance @ HLSCC - Dr Dawson”

  • Real! (27/02/2014, 14:55) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply
    They need to stop the FREE College nonsense and go back to charging. Those families that require assistance should get it through a financial aid program and everybody else with the ability to pay must pay. Even if Government wants it to be FREE there must be a mechanism in place to fund it properly. If that's not in place then people need to pay, point blank. This FREEBIE nonsense without putting proper measures in place makes no damn sense at all. How do you attract good educators and support staff without a means to compensate them properly? This horse and pony show needs to stop. A lot of people stealing blatantly from these institutions and nobody doing anything about it because everybody holding secrets for each other. The college must be the most misused and corrupted Government agency when it comes to throwing away monies.
    • hey!! (28/02/2014, 20:15) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Be clear they need to stop the next to nothing fee for "tola children" International kids do pay
  • New vehicles (27/02/2014, 15:03) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    College in financial woes yet they are buying new vehicles for the workers to lime in…out on the road all day and all night.LMAO
    • L**s (28/02/2014, 09:03) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
      I have never seen a college vehicle out on the road liming day or night
  • pat (27/02/2014, 15:05) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    See see Myron up and down like he doing things and the vip college that we started could close he got to go
  • Conflict of Interest (27/02/2014, 15:06) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    Sounds like Hon Caines and her husband want to take over the college cafeteria...
    • 6 district (28/02/2014, 07:38) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      Why because she ask a question?
    • GoonSquad (03/03/2014, 08:46) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Why the HELL you did not say that about the others when they spoke about the cafeteria loosing money last year. How come you aint say she wants to take over the book store as well for she questioned the loss revenue there as well. Maduro is not a person to grab all things...she has a very lucrative business already. Some of you just haters.
  • WHAT??? (27/02/2014, 15:10) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    NDP and Myron love to brag about free tuition at the college!! Now since they got in power they rather hold the college employees salary increment hostage but have enough money to do other unnecessary projects like the following:

    1. Million dollar park on VG that worth 10 thousan.

    2. One hundred thousand dollar dinner at the sports complex for teachers that could have cost $$20-$25 thousand.

    3. 90 thousand dollars advisory consultant but yet he keep shooting himself and party in the foot.

    4. Some 20 plus thousand dollars ticket to go to some strange place for a conference and still no report on benefit.

    And many more mismanagement of funds.

    NDP and myron must GO!!!
    • one eye roster (28/02/2014, 00:05) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      The ultimate outcome of MVW feints, charm offensives, and fund-raising activities, is more paid ad on ZBVI
  • JW (27/02/2014, 15:12) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Myrun has got to go.
  • VG center (27/02/2014, 15:15) Like (1) Dislike (7) Reply
    Why wasn’t the Virgin Gorda center mentioned in this. There is no way to can convince anyone that center is making money or even breaking even. You have an ineffective director with a fat salary that is more than the center can bring in. Plus rent, workers, and other bills with 10 students...how is that making money Dr. Dawson? Someone needs to really re-visit the feasibility of the center as effective.
    • Look to the top dog (27/02/2014, 19:13) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Check the top dog first, then make your way down.
    • Boat riding Student (28/02/2014, 09:54) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      We poor VG students catching the boat to get away for that "family run center." Only family she hires...yet no one questioning her. Everybody seems to be afraid of her.
      • @ boat riding students (28/02/2014, 15:19) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
        Family run you say. Check PB and then tell me which family is running things on both campuses. And I wonder why you don't tell the truth. They go to Road town because more money is given to VG students when they go to Tortola. Stop using this forum to spread your venom.
        • let's get it straight (28/02/2014, 16:10) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
          You need to stop spreading rumors nobody at PB hire their families. the "big shot" met his "family" there. Stop being contentious and call a spade a spade
          • Take your own advice (28/02/2014, 19:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
            Enlighten the public and tell them who has the say in hiring and firing. Stop spreading your poison because you very well know better. And I think that you had better check the record to see when and who started to teach at the college, both VG and PB. Remember that the college started in 1990, just in case you may have forgotten.
  • College Student (27/02/2014, 15:51) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    Drop the prices of the text books and offer to buy them back from the students at a percentage of the cost. Them books expensive more than National education book store and when you buy from amazon it still cheaper with shipping added.
  • egg face (27/02/2014, 16:02) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    maybe there is no photo opps at the college beside the gradation so he does not care
  • College Student (27/02/2014, 16:16) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    well all he cares about his self and reelection he cares little about weather the college survive or not
    • Observer (03/03/2014, 14:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @College Student. Looks like u need to go back to high school of that how you use "Weather" in that sentence. hope u don't go teach people children if that's how u use words. lmaooooo
    • Observer (03/03/2014, 14:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @College Student. Looks like u need to go back to high school of that how you use "Weather" in that sentence. hope u don't go teach people children if that's how u use words. lmaooooo
  • cay (27/02/2014, 16:56) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    So he can't fund the college but he want to fund an extra year in high school old fool
  • reality (27/02/2014, 17:33) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    NDP doing everything they can to close HLSCC.
  • insider (27/02/2014, 18:26) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    This will be the end of the NDP if they allow the college to close while wasting money on parks, trips, and consultants
    • Shara Parlin (27/02/2014, 23:46) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      Will the college closing now be the end of Walwyn political career? It's absolutely, most sincerely dead.
  • Not by money alone (27/02/2014, 19:15) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    You think it is money alone they need? The main problem is the big shot at the top who treating evryone like dogs and disrespecting those in authority. Doesn't want to listen to anyone, not even those who are giving the funds. No wonder they won't give any money.
    • Yes (27/02/2014, 23:17) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Nail on head. Porky know nothing but railroading
    • Well (27/02/2014, 23:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Go check and see who treating people like dogs at the college. The last time I check it was your family member. Go and get a full time job.
  • tv (27/02/2014, 20:05) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Country going to hell in a hand basket
  • dog (27/02/2014, 23:16) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    I grew up in Lower Estate just outside of H Guth. During my youth, in the '70s and '80s, tales of official misconduct hit the news with distressing frequency. While I was never a big Myron fan, I appreciated his apparent clean approach to governing.

    Now he seems like just another in a series of bad actors. Given his personality and penchant for running the show, I doubt he was clueless about the goings-on of the funding of the college
  • Seeker of TRUTH!! (28/02/2014, 11:15) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Nice piece and thanks for Dr. Dawson for standing up t the bully for the collage will close while he up and down taking photos and taking piss on ZBVI…thanks god for the green back
  • let we do tis ting (28/02/2014, 13:08) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Myron again never doing anything positive for the bvi
  • Racoon (01/03/2014, 09:45) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    The Hospital has not paid increments for the past two years but they still want to attract quality professionals.
  • save it (02/03/2014, 22:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Please lets sign a pitition to save the college


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.