Wade W. Tobin out! Principal post at ESHS is to be advertised
The two sources, one from the Department of Education and the other from the Ministry of Education and Culture, called our newsroom this week to leak the information to us of the new development which they confirmed has the blessings of the controversial Minister for Education of Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn.
According to the sources Mr. Tobin is on a two year assignment at the largest public high school in the Virgin Islands which reportedly will expire in July 2014. Earlier this week Mr. Tobin was called to a meeting with Acting Chief Education Officer Mrs. Jillian Douglas-Phillip and Acting Deputy Chief Education Officer Dr. Lavon Chalwell-Brewley it is reported.
According to information reaching our newsroom, Mr. Tobin was told by Mrs. Douglas-Phillip that his tenure at the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) will not be renewed and he will be reverted to his position as a Social Studies teacher.
Information obtained by this news site revealed that before taking on the assignment of Acting Principal of the ESHS Mr. Tobin had taken a leave of absence from the Education Department where he was assigned as the Principal of the Seventh-day Adventist School, a private religious institution.
It is also this news site understanding that the post of Principal of the ESHS will be advertised; however the status of the holder of the post Ms. Melissa Amey remains unclear.
Rough Time for Tobin
According to the Department of Education source, Mr. Tobin had a rough tenure at the school. During his two year tenure his office at the school was broken into two times with many items stolen and ransacked. Late last year his vehicle’s glass was smashed and vandalized (criminally damaged) while parked in Road Town and there have been alleged threats to his life by students.
Mr. Tobin has not always enjoyed the support of the Department of Education and the Minister according to the same sources. Sometime last year many students mostly male were being very disruptive and were threatening teachers and other students.
The School’s staff demanded that the students, who allegedly ransacked Mr. Tobin's office and got physical with some teachers, be expelled and had staged a soft protest until action was taken by Minister Walwyn.
Once Mr. Walwyn visited the school he agreed with the Principal and staff to expel the students directly involved, however days later he went to the House of Assembly in what some described as playing politics and reversed his decision. The Minister claimed he wanted to give them a second chance and find an alternative to have the children continue their education.
A National Democratic Party source who spoke to our news site on condition of anonymity told our news room that “I can see Myron all over this decision as he is about saving himself…yes maybe there were complaints from parents and teachers about Tobin but there are complaints about everyone who is in a leadership position… one should not throw people under the bus for political expediency.”
When pressed as to what evidence she had about Minister Walwyn’s involvement in Mr. Tobin end of tenure decision the source said with certainty and a smile, “look I use to work there the man is obsessed with power he micro manages the Ministry and Departments… nothing move unless he say so…he probably has the job for someone…stay tune…”
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78 Responses to “Wade W. Tobin out! Principal post at ESHS is to be advertised”
I don't know all the facts surrounding what seems to be the "demotion" of Mr. Tobin (in the eyes of man i.e.), but one thing I know is that the only perfect person that ever lived was Jesus Christ - He came to save the world from sin and he was mocked, and finally put on a cross ... In the word of God we are told by Him to "be of good cheer, I have overcome the world". Br. Tobin, 'you will not have to fight in this battle' - stand still and see the salvation of God. This, and all God's promises are sure... just continue to trust in them... He is the Alfa and the Omega and 'this too shall pass'. I believe this more will in turn be a blessing for Mr. Tobin ... just imagine that corporal punishment is being taken out of the Education Act. From my knowledge, there are presently laws in place where parents have to give consent to teachers to punish students. The truth is that I believe what the bible says about "train up a child, and when he is old he will not depart". Parents tend to interpret "train up", however, to mean "give licks" (at any old age, once the child is in their house). This should not be necessary once the parent has done the required disciplining/training in the child's formative years (0 - 6 yrs. approx.). I haven't forgotten that the bible also says "foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction will drive it far from him". Remember, the noun used is "child" and remember the importance of the formative years (indicated above) in disciplining/training a child. Most people believe that bearing children makes them a parent. Parenting is a skill to be learned, so those parents who haven't done so as yet should feel blessed to attend one of the free parenting workshops that are put on by Social Development annually (they usually are geared for various age groups). You will learn the types of behavior to expect from children as they age, and how you should best respond to it. I said this to say, there are other measures that can be used to discipline children at a certain age without resorting to using corporal punishment. If I recall, Mrs. Arlene Smith- ----- was appointed to work on a programme for the children who attend the school at Baugher's Bay. Likewise some benchmarking (checking out/researching what is working in other countries) should be done to address the incidence of delinquent behavior at the Elmore Stoutt High School.
Have some students who are hell - bent on destroying the school . Solution: give them more power(cant expell, cant suspend during exam) , fire the principal.
That is how the powers that be decide to rectify the problems: side step them.
Just 1 example: students not ready for college - over 50 % have to do remedial studies. The registrar at the college says that these students dont study, they r tardy to class and frequently absent + many are rude and disrespectful. Solutio: Additional school year.
Yu all see where a coming from ?
Mr Tobin, you do not deserve this kind of treatment but remember this 'what nuh tek life nuh tek notten'
I hope they did not kick out Wade to put in S...y...only then ESHS will go further down hill.
Tobin is better off in the classroom. He gets to keep his principal's salary with a heck of a lot less stress. Tobin you will be more than fine. I think this is a blessing for you. Poor ESHS :(
Government out to kill this place. M...n you are an educated fool- stick to law and running your restaurants.
I would opt for that- a heck of a lot less stress especially from downtown and the politicians.
Tobin, this is a win-win for you. Serve out your time, retire and live large!
This situation could have been handled differently...who knows know!!!!! But God WILL have the last say as He ALWAYS DOES!!! We have to pray for our territory.
What we are seeing is just a tip of the ice burg where the m....er is concerned. Outside of this issue, I am seriously convinced that the m....er doesn't know what he is doing and his staff is probably too intimidated to talk commonsense into him. He needs to stop running our education system by making decisions that he thinks might be pleasing to a handful of (negligent) parents whose children are extremely disruptive in school.
Heard .. trying to save face by offering asst pric