The recent accomplishment of the Honourable Andrew A. Fahie-led Government of the Virgin Islands to refurbish the now L. Adorothy Turnbull Building of the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) in time for the September school term has been keenly noted even outside of the Virgin Islands, including next door- the US Virgin Islands (USVI). Photo: VINO

The refurbishing of the ESHS L-Shaped Building, now the L. Adorothy Turnbull Building, Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) had stated, was one of his Government’s first priorities. Photo: VINO/File

The Bregado Flax Educational Centre (BFEC) on Virgin Gorda was rebuilt through private funding and also handed over to Government in time for the September 2019 school term. Photo: VINO/File

An editorial in the popular newspaper, Virgin Islands Daily News, this week marvelled at how the Virgin Islands was able to rebuild and refurbish several schools damaged by the hurricanes of September 2017 and was particularly impressed with the L. Adorothy Turnbull Building. Photo: VINO

The Enis Adams Primary School in Meyers Estate, Tortola, was severely damaged by Hurricane Irma and was subsequently demolished to make way for a new building. The rebuilding was done through private funding and handed over to the Government of the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File

An editorial in the popular newspaper, Virgin Islands Daily News, this week marvelled at how the Virgin Islands was able to rebuild and refurbish several schools damaged by the hurricanes of September 2017 and was particularly impressed with the L. Adorothy Turnbull Building.

“How did the BVI, which does not have Uncle Sam’s deep pockets to reach into, manage to pay for all that repair and rebuilding? Why can’t we repair and rebuild our schools, at nearly the same price as the BVI paid, when we have millions of dollars in deferral aid?

“How did the BVI do it?” the editorial asks.

“The answer is they made it a top priority…” the editorial stated, while urging the US Virgin Islands to take a page out of the VI’s book.

“Politicians talk about priorities but the proof of the priorities is in what the eye can see. In the BVI you can see fine new school buildings…Schools are where lessons are taught. The BVI schools’ lesson is that children’s education is important.”

Meanwhile, the previous National Democratic Party (NDP) Administration was also criticised for lacking priority, and for especially dropping the ball with education.

Education high on agenda for VI Gov’t

The Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government, after winning the elections of February 25, 2019, made it clear they were not prepared to have students and teachers continue under the same difficult conditions nearly two years since the hurricanes of 2017.

Minister responsible for Education, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) had even apologised to teachers and students for being made to endure for so long.

At the contract signing for the refurbishing of the then ESHS L-Shaped Building, now the L. Adorothy Turnbull Building, on April 18, 2019 in the compound of the Elmore Stoutt High School in Road Town, Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) had noted that the contracts signed were not just mere contracts for construction, but contracts that signified the importance his government placed on the territory’s children and education.

The refurbishing of ESHS L-shaped building, Hon Fahie had stated, was one of his Government’s first priorities. “During our first briefing on the issue it became clear to me that of we continued with the approach that we inherited construction here would not have started for another year. But already our children have been disadvantaged for 18 long months, forced into shortened school days and less academic contact time. To add another 12 months to that would have been unconscionable.”

In order to get the reconstruction fast tracked and to have it started immediately instead of next year, Hon Fahie said the decision was made to forego the regional funding option through the Caribbean Development Bank, which has its inbuilt extended preparation time, and instead use local funding.

Premier Fahie noted there was another upside to forego regional funding for the project, and that was affording Government the opportunity to engage multiple local contractors to carry one aspect of the rebuilding simultaneously.

“We are excited about our children getting back here in 2019, but we are also excited for an opportunity to engage the local construction industry and be able to offer local contractors a source of income, and today I thank you for your patience. Local contractors are key partners in the rebuilding of this Territory,” Hon Fahie had stated.

The USVI is now hoping their leaders can take a similar approach to education as the Government of the Virgin Islands.

“We urge our officials-governor, senators, commissioners and education administrators to look at the BVI’s accomplishment as a textbook- and start planning,” the editorial stated.