Parents angry over High School Book shortage!
Several parents of mainly High School students complained bitterly of the shortage of textbooks both at the schools’ book loan programme and in the local book stores. Further, they were given the book list just one week before school re-opened.
“This is the most sickening experience. My child going out to High School for his first year, we were almost every day trying to get the book list and they couldn’t give it to us until the last moment. Then the sad thing was we signed up for the book loan programme and from the long list we only got one book,” expressed one angry mother.
This was the case also of several parents from the Virgin Gorda Community. They complained that they had books gift certificates valuing as much as $200 and with them not getting the books from the schools they went to purchase using their gift certificates.
“This make sense? The main bookstore in the entire Territory had absolutely not a single high school textbook and they telling you about delays and that they were going to get the books by this weekend and we should wait until then and return,” explained a mother.
Several persons blasted the Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Myron V. Walwyn for this claiming that he has been placing his focus in the wrong direction and not looking into serious matters especially at the High Schools.
“That is news they should carry to him (Hon Walwyn), that is what the news carrier should be asking him to investigate not for him to victimize (allegedly) principals and other teachers and even some parents who he don’t like. Look into the book loans programme and see that there is a major shortage and fix it. Let them organize themselves properly so we could have book lists early, that’s what he needs to be doing,” said one parent.
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith also came in for some harsh criticism as they claimed that he has been encouraging residents to shop locally. “Shop locally and your biggest bookstore don’t have the simplest high school book, not even a proper note book they don’t have. We have to be sending to Grenada, Trinidad, Guyana and these places to get the books and he increasing fees, nonsense I am truly fed up of this government and the un-necessary stress they causing us,” said the parent.
While several efforts to reach any senior Education official over the week end failed, former Minister for Education Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) responded. When asked about his opinion about the seemingly failing book system in the High schools, he responded, “The book programme’s success is fully hinged on proper monitoring.”
He stated further, “Only through proper monitoring will accountability be realized in a consistent manner. In any programme or organization, no one does what is expected only what is inspected. I don't know what the current status is of the loan book programme at the secondary level but in the best interest of all concerned it would need to be rectified because a few parents genuinely are experiencing financial hardship & this programme will assist them tremendously in getting their children the needed textbooks.”
He further stated the book list would need to be distributed earlier in the summer so the bookstores can order the textbooks earlier & if not then at least parents can make alternate plans to try to get the needed textbooks for their children. “All in all it is in the best interest of all to have this matter rectified as a matter of urgency,” noted Hon Fahie.
Nonetheless Hon Fahie took the time out to wish teachers, parents, students, education officials & support staff the best for the upcoming 2014-2015 school year. “I pray that through the Blood of His Son Jesus Christ, God will cover & protect all stakeholders. Governments past & present have improved our education system realizing that once our people become educated then our country in every respect especially socially & economically will exceed everyone's expectations.”
Hon Fahie declared that this school year will be the best school year ever. “I encourage all stakeholders to never give up no matter the challenges experienced this school year. Once we do not give up then together we will move our Territory from good to great thereby allowing us to truly cultivate a culture of excellence. Together we will do it! Happy 2014-2015 school year, the year when the new generation of the BVI will start to take their rightful place.”
37 Responses to “Parents angry over High School Book shortage!”
Ok, let's fire all education staff and let the Minister do everything himself, seeing that nobody else is responsible. When he fires them, he's bad. When he leaves them in their posts to do bulls..t, it's his fault. Blah! Parents that are really concerned about their kids will do what's necessary not bicker about bulls..t. Let Andrew haul his a.. because the school was rotting away under his leadership.
Island Services has most of the books but the rest will need to be purchased from the High School when the high school bookstore is stocked. Do not stress 'cause the teachers are aware that books are not available so hopefully they will excuse students for not having them for a while. Similar situation last year
My..n will cause the ndp to lose the next election
Everything M.ron touch is a mess
None of this would have happened under Andrew Fahie, at least he cares! Those NDP people don't care about the young people education, they rather give their contracts and information to their friends than keep the young people educated. PURE NONSENSE!
How many of these mothers/fathers are school volunteers? How many of their children worked during the summer and earned moneys for school supplies?
Parents should insist that the Education Department publish a list of school books, authors, ISBN #, and publisher. In the event of situations such as this, the parents can purchase these books from other sources and I venture to say at a much more economical price.
There is an overabundance of technological avenues i.e. internet that can be explored. No need to live in the dark ages.