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No option for ‘homeschooling’ at this time- Dr the Hon Wheatley

- students learning from home must still be enrolled in school
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has warned that children who are learning from home for the rest of the year must still be enrolled in a local learning institution and not be strictly home-schooled. Photo: Facebook
Enis Adams Primary School in Meyers Estate, Tortola. Dr the Hon NAtalio D. Wheatley continued says that in order to homeschool students, they must first be registered before the school year commences. Photo: VINO/File
Enis Adams Primary School in Meyers Estate, Tortola. Dr the Hon NAtalio D. Wheatley continued says that in order to homeschool students, they must first be registered before the school year commences. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has warned that children who are learning from home for the rest of the year must still be enrolled in a local learning institution and not be strictly homeschooled.

Speaking during a presentation for Professional Day, held under the theme 'Educating all in changing times', on Monday September 7, 2020, the Minister said, while online learning will be the order, there are policies regarding how one can homeschool a child.

Homeschool process starts with registration 

“By homeschooling, I mean parents who pull their children out of our schools, whether online schools or brick or mortar schools, and educate these children themselves or with a tutor.”

Dr the Hon Wheatley continued that in order to homeschool students they must first be registered before the school year commences.

“The process includes providing an educational plan for each student who is receiving home education to the Chief Education Officer, three months prior to the commencement of the home education programme.”

Registration period already passed 

He said for parents considering homeschooling as an option and who have not followed the guidelines some three months ago, the option would not be available for the time being, as the requirements of the Education Act that governs homeschooling might not be met; however, he noted that online learning will come with challenges.

“Online schooling comes with its own sets of challenges, such as no access to devices, unreliable internet service, the absence of parental support at home during instructional time and the barrage of psychosocial issues.”

Dr Wheatley said, despite the challenges, the Ministry remains committed to ensuring students receive a sound education through institutional policies, as schools remain closed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

17 Responses to “No option for ‘homeschooling’ at this time- Dr the Hon Wheatley”

  • ... (08/09/2020, 17:44) Like (16) Dislike (3) Reply
    you trying your best Minister but you need to clear house before that PS and CEO kill you
  • Enforcement? (08/09/2020, 18:35) Like (26) Dislike (5) Reply
    Haha you joking for real now. Parents that want to homeschool gonna what get fines now? No rational parent would waste time with this joke of an online educational experiment they trying to pull off here now. Homeschool from experienced online sources that have been providing homeschool for decades dont mind what this joker politician trina tell you.
    • @enforcement (08/09/2020, 19:51) Like (24) Dislike (1) Reply
      Everything is about control, it’s the age where heading into that’s why they keep telling you it’s the new regular, if something is regular it can’t be new unless it’s irregular... idk what kinda mind game they on but I be watching
  • Irony (08/09/2020, 18:49) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    Oh the irony. As an education minister, if the law says they should register three months before COMMENCEMENT OF THE HOME SCHOOLING PROGRAMME, how does that translate to be 3 months before the bvi academic school year. The home schooling programme can commence after your typical school year. Reading is one thing, understanding another, wisdom even more important but speaking facts with intelligence is the most important. Stay in school kids!
  • What a shame (08/09/2020, 18:54) Like (19) Dislike (4) Reply
    Sorry for this new generation, all your freedom is being stripped with this flu agenda, no more hanging out with your peers, breathing the God given air without having a mask on your face, no socializing, no playing with your childhood friends in the school yard, nothing... But I’ll teach mines how to survival because the worst is yet to come, fishing, making a fire, gardening, survival techniques etc
  • schooler (08/09/2020, 20:11) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    Mr whatley thabks for all efatyou do in allowing schooling fpr our studebts but you have ro make some changes such as gettibg rid of that CEO time for her to go so that the department can run in a fair and deceant manner the half has never been told when she goes the half will ne told. keep education alive
  • This is not the minister idea (09/09/2020, 02:58) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    This is clearly from someone else that the minister trust, this minister is much smarter than what he is saying....1/ Home schooling is much better than online schooling for one, a professional adult will be in the room,, 2/ The educational and learning ptotocol will be followed...What he is saying is more an attack on xpats, " Apply 3 months to immigration prior for approval".. That definitely isnt apply to locals...
    • BVIslander (09/09/2020, 12:29) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      It’s not about expats. I from right here and homeschooling makes sense and I gut now. Don’t understand what the fuss is about.
      • @bvislander (09/09/2020, 16:18) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        their ego and because that's what power does. they know theyre inefficient but still want to get praise for lowgrade eggs.
  • It needs a shake up (09/09/2020, 09:06) Like (17) Dislike (6) Reply
    I have a few questions for all of you who think that the British Virgin Islands is a cowboy town and you all can do as you ‘darm’ well please.

    Can you just decide to home school your children without following the LAW of the land.
    Where in the world can you decide that you will home school your children and NOT apply to the organization responsible for education?

    All of you who are currently doing it without the approval of the Ministry of Education need to be fined.
    And then you all have the audacity to be throwing off talk at the Minister.

    Minister it is time that you put those officers under your ministry who are not engaged at this time to visit ALL private schools to gather information on whose registration has dropped. If the children did NOT:
    1. Register for PUBLIC school
    2. Register in ANOTHER private school
    3. Leave the Territory
    4. Register and approved for HOME schooling.

    Then Houston you have a problem because the Education Act states that they should be attending school NOT home schooled without approval because the parents are not in agreement with online schooling at this time.

    Let all of them know that their total disrespect for the laws of this territory will NOT be tolerated.
  • cart you... (09/09/2020, 09:53) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    yeah, people like you is who got the education system screwed up. Quote all you want. Just prepare the cells because we willing to fight, Go rebuild the high school. It got a moo moo up the college teaching by biggest girl and I so embarrassed. Youall using covid to control all who you can control, but come. I waiting
  • parent (09/09/2020, 13:00) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    home schooling has been going on for years. The law provides for it. Minister needs to check his people who fooling him.
    • Yes (09/09/2020, 16:09) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      The law provides for it yes but approval must be given by the Ministry of Education which Hon. Wheatley is responsible for. He is saying that the application process is not available at this time. Therefore parents doing it without approval are breaking the law.
  • Thank You!! (09/09/2020, 13:52) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    All I can say is thank you Lord! I would wonder if I made the right decision by moving my kids away from Tola (all they have ever known), but my goodness you guys surely have been making me feel better and better about the decision. Actually I think reading the article along with the comments has topped it off. I’m great with my decision now. Home needs to get it straight. What is happening at home. WE HAVE STRAYED FAR FROM GOD ABD OUR ROOTS. PLEASE PLEASE GET IT BACK!
  • teacher john (09/09/2020, 15:42) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Unless he get a new ceo poor falls going remain in big trouble in that ministry


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