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Local Germaine Scatliffe Out! Jamaican Ande Francis In! @ VI Technical School

- Hon Myron V. Walwyn, the Education and Culture Minister, continues to displace locals for expats
Local educator Ms Germaine Scatliffe, left, has been replaced as Principal of the Virgin Islands School of Technical Studies (VISTS) by Jamaican national Mr Ande Francis. Photo: GIS/JIS
Minister for Education and Culture, Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL) has in the past said there are no longer laws that could protect locals, which many interpreted the Minister to be saying, it’s ‘open season’ on local residents for jobs and opportunities in their homeland. Photo: VINO/File
Minister for Education and Culture, Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL) has in the past said there are no longer laws that could protect locals, which many interpreted the Minister to be saying, it’s ‘open season’ on local residents for jobs and opportunities in their homeland. Photo: VINO/File
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- It is no surprise that under the Education and Culture Minister, Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL), local professionals continue to be disenfranchised.

The latest is at the Virgin Islands School of Technical Studies (VISTS). Word from senior National Democratic Party (NDP) sources is that Mr Walwyn has pushed for the hiring of a Jamaican national- a Mr Ande Francis- to be appointed, as the new Principal of VISTS.

Mr Francis took up his appointment this week at the Baughers Bay school, located on Tortola, replacing a local acting in the post.

Mr Walwyn has ousted local educator Ms Germaine Scatliffe who had retired after years in the education system, but was called back years ago to help with the same technical school.

She has years of experience in education development and is a mathematics expert.

In fact, under Ms Scatliffe’s tenure VISTS had the top student in the national exit exam in June 2017. She was also instrumental in the early stages of the school.

Locals kept out under Myron V. Walwyn

It is not immediately known what are Mr Francis’ qualifications; however, information on the internet shows he managed the Jamaica German Automotive School.

To keep the lid on things, it is our newsroom’s understanding that Mr Walwyn has placed Ms Scatliffe in his Ministry, as an Education Officer, to review the Mathematics curriculum.

The controversial Minister has a history of making the education system political, with many of the principals being appointed based on his own political agenda.

He has already ousted a young Virgin Islander who was acting in the post a few years ago, Clifton Forbes, and who was to be groomed for the post at VISTS. Mr Forbes is still at the institution.

Hon Walwyn also ousted another local, Wade W. Tobin, from being the Ag. Principal of the Elmore Stoutt High School a few years ago.

Three CEOs, Unstable Minister?

Minister Walwyn has also forced many of the long standing principals of schools to either retire or be transferred and has promoted others who it is alleged supports him or the NDP.

Mr Walwyn is also on his third Ag. Chief Education Officer, after forcing out Beverlie Brathwaite and Jillian Douglas-Phillip.

Hon Walwyn has said there are no longer laws that could protect locals, which many interpreted the Minister to be saying, it’s ‘open season’ on local residents for jobs and opportunities in their homeland.

40 Responses to “Local Germaine Scatliffe Out! Jamaican Ande Francis In! @ VI Technical School”

  • Liat 521 (03/01/2018, 21:08) Like (29) Dislike (4) Reply
    I guess e is another of myrun "boys"
    • wize up (04/01/2018, 07:15) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
      @ 521: what do you mean another of Myrun boys(I never knew myrun had a boy that old!!!)
  • well well well (03/01/2018, 21:11) Like (54) Dislike (2) Reply
    How come government since IRMA laying off persons, reducing some salaries but yet find monies to hire another person on contract and try to justify it with the same old talk.
    • Reply (04/01/2018, 05:46) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      Same thing i say too. This stupid Minister only thinking about his Selfish mindset and believes he will be in power for even
  • Yes (03/01/2018, 21:21) Like (18) Dislike (6) Reply
    Dah jamdown ps jaganizing the entire department
    • bystander (04/01/2018, 05:50) Like (16) Dislike (3) Reply
      MVW That was a dumb move to allow a non national to take this post when our people are out of work
  • tretretrete (03/01/2018, 21:27) Like (46) Dislike (6) Reply
    By the time the PS and Walwyn done the entire education system will be the Republican of Jamaica.
    • wow (03/01/2018, 22:40) Like (8) Dislike (5) Reply
      @ some of these comments-educate and socialize ur children and the takeover will cease-Happy New Year
      • Hmmmm (04/01/2018, 09:21) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
        Nonsense. You are one of those that support trampling on others to get ahead. We have many educated but what the Minister need is a Yes man. If u on contract u will do all it takes to get that cheddar and go back home.
      • I second you on that (04/01/2018, 20:40) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
        You are so right @smh.
    • officer (04/01/2018, 05:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Dwl omg good joke
    • 4 more years (04/01/2018, 06:04) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      In the BVI, politics and power trump local and national interest .
  • one eye (03/01/2018, 22:12) Like (13) Dislike (3) Reply
    Yes his ps from Jamaica so you figure out the rest
    • Well (04/01/2018, 12:33) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
      Well marry a local and you can get any Government JOB. Only in the BVI, wait a minute the UK will soon be here and policy and law will rule and he will not like it so he will QUIT....
  • ... (04/01/2018, 03:01) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Yes, it was announced at last graduation that Principal Scatliffe.
  • i from here (04/01/2018, 05:15) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    so in these hard times you could not find a local to fill this post? Come on Myron I voted for you 2 times
  • what (04/01/2018, 05:41) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    Right now it's cheaper for Walwyn to bring in expats who he can control and when he say jump they jump!
  • Eagle Eye (04/01/2018, 05:44) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is absolute MADNESS.
  • Polticals Observer (PO) (04/01/2018, 05:56) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    WELL WELL WELL..I am not against Island people as we are all from an island, but if there are little jobs after Hurricanes Irma and Maria they should be kept for our people.

    The government needs to seriously look into this and Dr Smith needs to reshuffle his Cabinet before he loose his own set
  • Yardie run things (04/01/2018, 05:57) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
    A who run things in the BVI?
  • bam (04/01/2018, 07:18) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    The locals are hogs and pigs and d9nt treat locals right...some favoritism going on as well...but everything is onlly forr a time God dont sleep ...
  • Ha Ha Haaaaa (04/01/2018, 07:24) Like (21) Dislike (1) Reply
    Good for you Tortola people. You get what you dish out. You all sit back and break each other down instead of building each other up. That is why things like that is happening.
    • Agree Rockville, USA (04/01/2018, 13:48) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      From when I was a child growing up on Tortola, they were famous for tearing each other down. Yes, let them take what they got. As long as people have that I am going to tear you down mentality, nothing is going to change. The only thing I miss about Tortola is the weather. Had snow last night, school is closed , the kids and the dog is out on the front lawn playing in the snow and building a snowman.
  • lord man (04/01/2018, 07:41) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    MAYBE SHE RETIRED OR TOLD TALL BOY NO ON SOMETHING!
  • Flatbush USA. (04/01/2018, 08:01) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
    During the late 70s-80s or even early 90s there was a programme in place.....i am not too sure if it was official but here is how it worked. When there was a vacancy in the work place government or where ever and a suitable BVI candidate was not not available ,an ecpat is hired on the ground that he train a BVI national to do the job. Once the national is deemed to be now competent, the expat is "relieved" and the national takes the post. Whenever a national was hired that person is expected to go in supervisory role or is given excelerated promotion and a salary scale above all other expat in the department. I am not too sure if it benefited the territory. I do be that whenever there is vacancy in any place of employment, first preference should be given to a local and it should be so once that person is qualified for the post and not just because he is indeginous . It is pleasing to see that so many locals are becoming more qualified and educated are making themselves marketable not only at home but for any where else.
  • Check the Records (04/01/2018, 08:14) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    To the disgruntled bloggers----

    Andre Francis was hired long before the disasters. And yes, Ms. Scatliffe was not forced out of the job.
    • Quiet Storm (04/01/2018, 09:54) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
      So are there no qualified locals that can serve as principal?
  • Socrates (04/01/2018, 08:48) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    What is the real story? Was the MEC dissatisfied with Ms. Scatliiffe’s performance? Did she fail to meet expectations and deliver outcomes? Was MEC and Ms. Scatliiffe have two different agendas? Did Ms. Scatliffe poorly led the institution? Is Ms. Scatliffe qualified to lead the institution? What grade did Ms. Scatliffe receive on performance evaluation? Was Ms. Scatliife interested in continuing as principal? Could Ms. Scatliffe go to Jamaica or another regional country and displaced a qualified Jamaican or others as principal of a high school? Are external workers easier to control and demand loyalty from? What is the Premier’s role in this, if any? Will local professionals become extinct? Who if anyone is looking out for qualified locals? Are locals greatest nightmares other locals? Are locals inflicted with crab-in-bucket syndrome? Are locals too nonchalant, wait till tomorrow, too selfish, too bad minded........etc for their own good? Will this attitude be their demise in their homeland?
    • NPolitico (04/01/2018, 13:42) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      You chose the right moniker. These Socratic questions are penetrating and surely needs answering. They force us to take our heads out of the sand.
      • Quiet Storm (04/01/2018, 17:41) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        Are any of these questions going to be answered? Will they be ignored and fall on deaf ears? Will locals continue to be dissed with impunity?
  • this seems to be the order of the day (04/01/2018, 10:26) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    check SKN the same thing happening.Right now a jamaican gone home for Christmas to bring. back a few to work on construction sites there. things like these can affect the economical status of a country and then we bawl about crime .we got many nationals working all over the place but me a tell you this could never happen in Jamaica
  • There (04/01/2018, 12:04) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    are troubled times and rough years ahead VI'S.

    There is a new paradigm in operation, and it has the conquering and demolition of the former status qou, where local protections were in place as first priority, no longer exist.

    In practice, we are losing our country on the social, political and economic fronts.

    What else is next?

    I honestly love and respect the brother, but i do not always agree with some of his decisions, especially those that appear anti-local.
  • enough (04/01/2018, 12:40) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    The real story will never be told as Ms. Scatliffe cannot and will not stand up to the Minister or the next step would be she will not have a job. In the BVI these Ministers think they are above the law. BVI Nationals should be the lead in this country. So even the Minister need to GOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
  • Prophet (04/01/2018, 13:05) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    We were warned !!!!!!. We should have listened!!!!! BVI Islanders we can no longer present a BH (born here) and get "the job". We are now forced to compete in our own land. The only way we could combat this is to get an education..go to school..go to college ..learn a skill. Get qualified in something then make demands!!! The world has become globalized . HLSCC is free don't go there just to showcase how well you could dress be serious!!!!
    • The real Boo (04/01/2018, 15:54) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
      ..and then you still wouldn't be good enough for these NDP goons
  • Further (04/01/2018, 13:16) Like (4) Dislike (6) Reply

    xs



    the atrocities, human and economic, perpetuated on local by local men and women over and for decades make any decision the Hon. Minister look like child's play, and I am as local as they come.

    If we do not stop discriminating against and crucifying each other, do not expect anyone with less attachment to the culture, past and present, to do any better at looking after our interest.

    It would be a highly unnatural thing to ask for and expect, it does not matter and will not have any negligible effect eve n if they were born here, with off springs of expat parents.. Once a cultural disconnection is in the DNA, expect decisions that will not correlate with past to passing cultural norms and expectations.
  • wize up (04/01/2018, 15:40) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Honestly speaking: the bvi education system have always been filled documented workers(I left BVI High) some 40 years ago and the system was filled with documented workers who did a great job; as a matter of fact from back in the 70s the BVI education system was supported by non bv islanders: what I find to be happening these days, if your are a citizen of this place holding certain post and you do not agree with certain things or certain people you will be replaced by a documented worker how will be more subservient
  • belonger (04/01/2018, 21:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I applied there years ago to teach certain technical skills at the sch ,mind you I am married to a local very qualified but she told me the job is given to a local who just left a sch in the USA.i 've years of experience in this industry.well times are tough. I am a yardie too going to apply again .hmmm what a weeping
  • facts man (05/01/2018, 06:38) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Myron should not even be in the house of assembly let alone to be here pushing around locals
  • God don't sleep (05/01/2018, 23:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    M..... enjoy your free paper your time is coming to end soon. You have the entire education system in a mess. You need to be fair across the board and not one sided and all about fame and always having the spotlight all on u. But God don't like ugly and he doesn't sleep. You said you for Youngs when taking bread from people. But always remember today for me but tomorrow is for you. It's only a matter of time for this to hit the fan. But every rope has an end. Not rejoicing but GS get what she deserves yesterday was for me but it's ur turn. The hole you digged you fill right into it. Everything happens for reason and for people to humble themselves and change their ways...you're a retired candidate time to make room for a fresh leader. Your a mathematics teacher stay in field of study.



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