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Teachers disagree with ‘High Blocked Fence’ @ ESHS

Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn's announcement of a 'High Blocked' fence for the ESHS did not go down too well with teachers, parents and community minded persons. Photo: VINO
There have been some issues of students overriding security at the school and finding other means of entering or getting illegal items into the school. Photo: VINO
There have been some issues of students overriding security at the school and finding other means of entering or getting illegal items into the school. Photo: VINO
According some persons a stronger and more comprehensive guidance and counseling programme is needed. Photo: VINO
According some persons a stronger and more comprehensive guidance and counseling programme is needed. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – “My dear Mr Minster, I am one that supports you as a young passionate person and I voted for you but dear Mr Minister something is going dreadfully wrong with your reasoning of putting a HIGH BLOCKED fence as the security answer for us teachers and students.”

That was according to a teacher of the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) following a recent announcement by the Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn on the radio programme National Democratic Party (NDP) Radio on November 17, 2014.

The Minister was at the time responding to a caller who raised the issue. Several parents, teachers and community minded persons spoke to this news site about the issue subsequent to the Minister’s announcement and their reactions were mixed.

The first teacher said that to emphasize “High Blocked Fence” was first of all indicative of excessive attempt to control. “That goes for a prison system. There is no debate about that. We have many other ways that things get into this school, the least of it is thrown over the fence and so I am thinking that the Minister is not being properly and wisely advised and he should really rethink that idea,” said the teacher.

She explained that she is 100% for the security cameras, “Make that intensive, do the security cameras I agree 100% plus with that because you will see the real deal from that don’t waste precious money to build a prison because human rights might very well have to step in,” she added.

Several others said that the issue of children having drugs and weapons in the school would not be addressed with the high fence. One said that there are many other channels as there are a number of persons entering the compound under the guise for other things and doing nonsense.

“We have all sorts of people coming in to take food supplies to the food snackettes, we have persons coming to visit students for many different reasons sometimes you don’t now for real their intentions. Put good dollars in the security cameras and many will be caught or warded off,” said another teacher.

“What about separating the sheep from the goats Mr Minister? We bringing in expats and consultants to do all sorts of things. Our Social Workers are not competent for this kind of environment. I don’t mean this in any offensive way but our community is too small and they in no way are operating in a transparent and unbiased manner. I have seen it, I have experienced it, and trust me Mr Minister I know what I am talking about,” said a male community minded person.

Ms Elsie Callwood said that when she learnt of the high fence idea her first thought was that she was going to seek the advice of the Human Rights International body on this as she was struck by such an idea by the Minister.

“What we need are hands on programmes, a special department to deal with certain kids, a comprehensive counseling programme for these kids, fencing them in would not bring any solution what so-ever to this problem Mr Minister I am quite sure about that and for once please listen to us, please, please just listen. Grassroots reasoning is proven at bringing solutions to problems,” said Ms Callwood.

The woman further went on to say that many things happen on the outside of the school compound which put student and teachers at greater risks than what happens on the inside on a daily basis.

This news site has witnessed many instances where student engage in the buying and selling of illegal things just outside of the school compound in the their school uniforms, we have seen student converge in the nearby compound of the High Court and throw missiles as teachers, students and others including senior officials of the Ministry of Education and at police officers and no one attempted to step in to deal with them.

“Well that’s that sort of thing we are talking about and that’s why I say the issue is much bigger than a high fence,” said Ms Callwood.

“I am personally begging  [Hon Myron V. Walwyn] to sit with his PTA and LISTEN to their ideas, Myron please do this you have to listen and take ideas, you mean well but you have to come down my brother come down,” said a male teacher.

25 Responses to “Teachers disagree with ‘High Blocked Fence’ @ ESHS”

  • vec (19/11/2014, 08:41) Like (46) Dislike (31) Reply
    Myron has made a mess of the education system
    • Yes (19/11/2014, 09:25) Like (19) Dislike (34) Reply
      What a waste He is…did you see on his FB page the long list of VIP projects he and SB claiming that he did? He fool we once but we will never be fooled again…BAM
      • @ lol (19/11/2014, 10:08) Like (18) Dislike (19) Reply
        me agree pure spin and weak sound bytes
        • lmao (19/11/2014, 10:25) Like (41) Dislike (32) Reply
          The good thing is that the hand full of people that will agree with your nonsense doesn't compare to the thousands of people that are very happy with this Government and this Minister.
          • @ !@#$%^&* (19/11/2014, 11:13) Like (77) Dislike (1) Reply
            keep dreaming boss the same thing they said in 2007
            • Flop (19/11/2014, 11:28) Like (15) Dislike (103) Reply
              This is not the NDP of 2007 boss man. We have youth and people willing to fight, not the soft lads that were there long ago. Watch it.
              • 2007 (19/11/2014, 20:49) Like (15) Dislike (3) Reply
                ha ha in fact it is worse that the NDP of 2007..with Mark and Myron two lite weight trying to run the show i am surprised we have not gone back to the polls as yet
  • xxxxxxxx (19/11/2014, 09:46) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Easy money
  • teacher john (19/11/2014, 09:53) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    Teachers should have to work under fear and be ruled by fear and control which is what happens at the Det of Ed
    • Yes (19/11/2014, 14:06) Like (19) Dislike (7) Reply
      the fear the all live under is MVW, notice no teachers names are mentioned in article for fear of retaliation. And he just the type of man to do it!
  • STRUPES!!!!!! (19/11/2014, 10:17) Like (7) Dislike (5) Reply
    For a country where shaming is common place the idea that a politician would feel shame here is a total joke. They cannot be shamed, and they do not listen to we the people…they get elected suddenly they become bright….so MVW will never listen to teaches so no need to speak out!!!!!
    • idk (19/11/2014, 14:00) Like (19) Dislike (2) Reply
      Strupps, what the HELL allu want? You wine and wine about the place not being protected and how it needs to be fenced properly, now the minister fencing the school and allu still on here complaining..Mr. Minister, dont worry with these "not know what they want people" Fence the school as high as possible..and knock down those ugly food stands they have there making the place look like a ghetto..
  • chad (19/11/2014, 10:28) Like (38) Dislike (4) Reply
    The man said he will put a fence similar to the one in the area of the Sunday Morning well. That is not a high fence, it's about 5 ft high with the metal fencing above. Nothing is wrong with it. People care more about a fence than the kids themselves. When something positive happens at the school it's quiet. The CXC results, Science Fair, Cultural Day Expo, no comments, but a fence brings the idiots out. lmao.
  • @ wow (19/11/2014, 11:14) Like (12) Dislike (21) Reply
    mv and sb go sit ayo rass down
  • Read! (19/11/2014, 11:41) Like (19) Dislike (17) Reply
    BREAKING NEWS: "Teachers complain about security at the school and seeks help from Government. BREAKING NEWS UPDATE: "Minister suggests that properly fencing the school and implementing new measures will help with the security issue at the school". BREAKING NEWS UPDATE: "Teachers do not agree with the fencing proposal by the Minister but also do not have any solutions of their own. More to come!" +
  • Hmm (19/11/2014, 19:55) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    U all parents need to teach ur children respect and manners u all alway blaming the politians for ur mistakes with u all no manners kids
  • Just saying (19/11/2014, 20:05) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    I don't see anything wrong with block fence on certain section of the school perimeter.
  • garute (19/11/2014, 20:47) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    Allyuh too soft you tink he could have gotten away wid tis in antigua? NEVER
  • sheila (19/11/2014, 21:01) Like (11) Dislike (6) Reply
    Moral of the story here...myron will say anthing for a vote as he is desprate in many ways, shape or formtoget back i we offfices
  • blah (20/11/2014, 06:38) Like (8) Dislike (5) Reply
    High Block Fence? With Wire at the top? Treat them like prisoners or animals and that's how they'll behave.
  • goat water (20/11/2014, 06:39) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Let we do this thing!!!!
  • jtv (20/11/2014, 15:19) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    MVW Actions shows there is no concern for what the people think
  • RealPol (20/11/2014, 18:25) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is physical security the problem at ESHS? Does the high performing schools in the region and in developed countries surrounded by high security fences? No. Most schools that I see are open campuses. If the problem is not a physical security/engineering problem, what is it?

    The problem is a poorly designed school facility, administrative and parenting problem.

    The school should have been designed to be self contained. That is the flow through the school should be all internal without having to exit the building. The school should be equipped with a cafeteria. Children can eat at the cafeteria at a subsidized cost or they can bring their own lunch. For children to leave school during school hours, parents or guardians should get permission to leave from the admin office. From the time children arrives at school in the morning until they leave, the school be able to account for them.

    Think the high school is poorly administered. This is attributed to staffing with cronies and with yes men and women some of whom do not know pullet from fowl but otherwise has the right connection.

    Third, there has been a total break down in parenting in the BVI, fostering dysfunctional behavior among children. There is a complete break down in good order and discipline. Too many kids are raising themselves. The "Village," the once nucleus of BVI life, is dead. Every man or woman for his or herself.


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