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Xbox, iPad will grow old; education wouldn’t – Hon Myron V. Walwyn

Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn has pleaded with parents to set the education of their children as priority at the official opening ceremony for the week-long observances of Education week which will come to an end on Saturday March 15, 2014. Photo: VINO
In the process of ensuring that children are given the best opportunity at an education parents are encouraged to pay less emphasis on the gadgets of the day as these will eventually get old. Photo: VINO
In the process of ensuring that children are given the best opportunity at an education parents are encouraged to pay less emphasis on the gadgets of the day as these will eventually get old. Photo: VINO
The Ministry of Education is focusing on the interests and aspects of children's education and development throughout the week of Education Week 2014. Photo: VINO
The Ministry of Education is focusing on the interests and aspects of children's education and development throughout the week of Education Week 2014. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn has pleaded with parents to set the education of their children as priority even if this means curbing the purchasing of the gadgets of the day and the latest brands of clothing.

The Minister ignored the sweltering heat of the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall on Sunday March 9, 2014 with beads of perspiration trickling down his face pleaded with parents to join his Ministry in recognizing the urgency with which education needs to be tackled.

It was the occasion of the official opening ceremony for the week long observances of Education week which will come to an end on Saturday March 15, 2014.

“Parents, that urgency also extends to you. Parents, the Xbox, IPad or latest clothes you purchase for your child will soon get old. There will always be some new gadget or in thing that your child will feel they must have,” said Hon Walwyn.

He told them that what will never grow old is the knowledge child possess. He insisted parents need to impress upon children the value of a good education. “Our children will grow up to be honest, independent young men and women, positively contributing to their community, and then perhaps even buying us, their parents, our wishes and desires in our older years,” he said.

Hon Walwyn said that parents should show their children that they care for them by showing up and being part of their school’s Parent Teachers Association. “Our education administrators and professionals cannot successfully do their jobs without your participation. Even with our education quality improvement strategy, we are seeking a partnership with parents at all of our schools. We need your involvement in your child’s education,” said Hon Walwyn.

He further pleaded with parent to ensure that their children are prepared to learn, that they complete their homework and assignments and that they are on the right track with their education. “We need this partnership to be formed before a child is sent to the principal’s office or is on the verge of suspension. We need you to visit your child’s school and form a relationship with their teachers so that both parent and teacher can freely call on one another if anyone spots that trouble might be on the horizon with a student,” challenged Hon Walwyn.

“Getting the job done as good parents does not mean the best shoes or school bag, but it means that children enter their school gate with a decent breakfast and their minds alert and ready to learn, with all the tools they need for the school day, properly dressed in their school’s uniform and the understanding that their only job right now is to be a student, and not just any student, but a good, respectful, mannerly and obedient student,” said Hon Walwyn.

“Parents, now is not the time for apathy or complacency. When we consider the rate of unemployment amongst our young people, their performance at tertiary institutions and the feedback from our business community, we must realise that we are being confronted with the fierce urgency of now. It is time to act with vigorous and positive change,” said Hon Walwyn.

18 Responses to “Xbox, iPad will grow old; education wouldn’t – Hon Myron V. Walwyn”

  • rattie (11/03/2014, 14:43) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Blah blah blah blah blah
  • pat (11/03/2014, 15:10) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    His tired rhetoric is also old
  • lazy speech writer (11/03/2014, 16:06) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Now we have to research to see where he plagiarizing that phase from this time…
  • Young People (11/03/2014, 16:11) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Ahhhhh see he on his phone blogging caught red handed bam
  • vincy (11/03/2014, 17:09) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    More blah blah blah from this man
  • Pick d beam out your eye (11/03/2014, 19:43) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    Mr education mins with all due respect why is it your children even your baby shud wear the latest clothes n get every gadget n our children must not .it's the child mind n environment that wat matters n means a lot. You want only your children to be in ting that's wat we put u there for to come tell us don't give our child clothes n electronics .well goodbye to you calling nxt election !!!! Why you don't focus on the children who parents can't afford to send them to school .LET Wi DO THIS TING !!!!!!! Last time u come about extra year in high school which from my view I believe the kids going into high school too young so you shud think on doing n extra year I in primary no one want to be force to extra year extra year is a choice not force all over the Caribbean
  • Hmm (12/03/2014, 05:04) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Every where he go he on his phone ...
  • dem say (12/03/2014, 05:59) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    He blogged all through, so disrespectful and rude. No interest. He just pretending!
  • wondering (12/03/2014, 06:38) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    So Mr. Minister only want his children in the latest gear and technology and our children must not have... Mr. Minister, technology is the new way, get it right!!!! .....they just want to keep us in the dark but once there is even a speck of light, it will shine through.....
  • @ Dem Say (12/03/2014, 07:16) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well he has to blog to try to erase from the minds of the people and youth his dismal record as education minister….poor fallar
    • dismal record (12/03/2014, 09:32) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
      - Youth Unemployment Register within 3 months of being elected as a 'rookie' Minister, first ever in the Territory
      - National Song and Dress
      - Introducing raising of Flags in Schools
      - Arranged for Text on Financial Services to be prepared and introduced in schools
      - Honoring our Educators and providing professional Training for Teachers and Principals on an ongoing basis
      - Remedial program in ESHS for students making the transition from Primary school but have weak areas
      - Revamping of our Technical School into the Territory's 4th Secondary institution and offering a globally recognized award in City and Guilds, which will be offered starting this September.
      - Introduction of key stage testing at the Primary level in order to get a better picture of how our students are performing and progressing through the system.
      - Introduction of additional year at Secondary level to better equip our kids for the workforce and/or College
      - Ongoing changes to the curriculum to ensure that our kids remain competitive not only locally but regionally and internationally
      - Introduction of higher standards for Govt Scholarships, i.e. 5 CXC passes minimum
      - Introduction of mandatory CXC testing for senior secondary students
      - Construction of brand new library at ESHS upon taking office, after realizing the current one was a disaster zone
      - Development of recreational facilities over on VG with the new Park and the B'ball court roofing which is on island (so they say).
      - Focus on early childhood education to ensure that any academical issues are addressed with early intervention to give the kids a fighting chance.

      I'm sure there's more I can't think of now, and that's in only 2yrs, with 2yrs to go. dismal record? hmmm don't think so.
      • to myron aka dismal record (12/03/2014, 23:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        But this is nothing new all these things hon. fahie already had in motion… the facts remain you have not done anything myron..oh well a 100 g teachers dinner
        • gaff (17/03/2014, 19:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          instead of looking to see how the children of this nation will benefit from these plans we are bent on loooking to see who put them in place. Public office is to enhance the nation not who first did what. Our people minds are as small as our island. Wake up and let us move forward.
  • trrefdrfds (12/03/2014, 09:16) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    They often said if you want to hide the truth from black people, put it in a book! They either won't read it, or they will read it and don't take the time to understand it. The man never said don't buy your kids an iPad or nice clothing. He's saying don't make those things the PRIMARY FOCUS for you and/or the child, but rather their Education. So, perhaps if your child wants an iPad or some Jordans you tell them bring home all 'A's and then they get it as a treat for good performance. If their Teacher gives a good report about grades and overall behavior, then again they could get a treat. What I think the man is alluding to is the fact that many people just give their kids what they want to keep them quiet and as the kids get older, their mentality causes them to get into problems as they're used to getting the 'nice' things when they want. Another thing is, priority. Perhaps the man is also alluding to the fact that some kids may have iPads and Jordans but do not have a proper pair of school shoes, proper lunch, proper texts etc. because of priorities in the wrong place. I don't see anything wrong with what the man is saying. He never said don't buy your kid an iPad as those can be used for educational purposes as well. He's saying the main focus should be on learning and the kids need to understand that. It's no wonder we are where we are now, we are so stupid and petty in this place. You don't have to like the man personally, hell, I am not fond of him personally, but the man is doing a damn good job and he has a damn good point, that's what counts.
  • Consider (12/03/2014, 10:18) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    “ Education must provide the opportunities for self-fulfillment; it can at best provide a rich and challenging environment for the individual to explore, in his own way.” Noam Chomsky
    • gaff (24/03/2014, 22:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      The breaking down of the family structure is what is destroying our country. Educate the men in the BVI to stop neglecting their homes. Spending more time in a bar and do not know anything about their children well being. They believe buying expensive gifts will take the place of the quality time they should spend with their family.
      Educate them to stop fathering children outside of their marriage. Show respect for their families.
      Wives, stop accepting the emotional abuse by the BVI men who crawl in into your homes in the wee hours of the morning. It is not that that they are not fulfilled ay home they just nasty and the women who go with married men are as bad. The children are the ones who suffer that is why the schools are having so much problems. NO guidance from both parents. Ffathers at home hardly spend time with their children EDUCATE OUR BVI men to take their responsibility seriously.
  • Old Ways Forward (12/03/2014, 19:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I guess a school performance dancing to SORT OUT on stage at the opening of Education Week was an applauding purpose right. The adults responsible should have known better but I guest Showtime Band is a local band so nothing was seen wrong with it. My opinion there are plenty of local cultural music that these students could have danced too. sometimes we promote the wrong messages in the wrong ways.
  • fool (12/03/2014, 21:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Technology is ever evolving therefore your education system must do the same


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