$300 stipend vouchers for teachers ready for distribution- Dr the Hon Wheatley

- said stipend was a token of appreciation to teachers for their efforts during pandemic

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With some persons mocking the gesture by the Government of the Virgin Islands to give each public school teacher $300, Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has made it known that it was meant to just be a token of appreciation to the teachers for their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo: Facebook

Sickout protest by teachers started on Wednesday, October 27, 2021, and lasted into Friday, October 29, 2021. Photo: VINO/File

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- With some persons mocking the gesture by the Government of the Virgin Islands to give each public school teacher $300, Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has made it known that it was meant to just be a token of appreciation to the teachers for their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking today, October 31, 2021, during an update on the recent sickout protest by teachers that started on Wednesday, October 27, 2021, and lasted into Friday, October 29, 2021, Dr Wheatley said the $300 stipend was agreed during a meeting with over 250 teachers and the BVI Teachers Union.

Also present at the meeting on August 23, 2021, were Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) and other elected members, as well as the Chief Education Officer Connie E. George.

Symbolic & practical payment

According to Dr Wheatley, during that meeting a list of concerns were shared and subsequently a letter was submitted to the Education Minister by the Teachers Union listing 5 requests, all of which Government agreed to fulfill.

“The first request was the payment of a $300 stipend. Union President Tammy Henry wrote: ‘This payment is both symbolic and practical. It will both serve as an acknowledgement of the extraordinary efforts of our teachers during this ongoing pandemic and it will repay a small portion of the monies that teachers spent to ready themselves to teach during the past school year.’

“In agreement with this symbolic and practical payment from the Teachers Union we budgeted the funds in the adjustment budget passed in September,” Dr Wheatley said.

He also shared that the Education Ministry has processed the vouchers and 75% were printed this past week and are now ready for distribution. “The rest will follow closely after,” Dr Wheatley said.

Protests not planned by BVI Teachers Union

Meanwhile, Dr Wheatley said it is important to note that the protests were not planned by the BVI Teachers Union and the President of the Union had no knowledge of these events prior to them occurring.

He noted that the Ministry of Education has been in constant dialogue with the BVI Teachers Union on a number of grievances that teachers wished to see addressed.

More details to follow.

24 Responses to “$300 stipend vouchers for teachers ready for distribution- Dr the Hon Wheatley”

The Reaper (31/10/2021, 22:27) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
We need to stop the nonsense…now when things hit the fan,Hmmmmm…..
A teacher (31/10/2021, 22:42) Like (32) Dislike (0) Reply
I will say this much. $300.00 stipend vouchers is not going to solve the problem or make the real problem go away. Can’t put a bandaid on everything.
- believe me (01/11/2021, 12:39) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
  The teachers are the ones who asked for the stipend. They requested it now they are getting it they are calling it a slap on the face.
Can as much as you can while you can (01/11/2021, 00:43) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
What you're looking for you just might find it.
Heckler (01/11/2021, 01:21) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
$300 ?? That got to be a tip
resident (01/11/2021, 02:37) Like (22) Dislike (1) Reply
This guy really thinks he can buy his way out of this with these vouchers, what about the other demands what is the timeline on them
- @resident (01/11/2021, 09:19) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
  Not this time. I have no problem quitting my Teachers job and look for employment elsewhere. I am simply tired of the situation that our children and Teachers have to endure.
  - Have Mercy (01/11/2021, 12:43) Like (0) Dislike (12) Reply
    You should quit because you are not a teacher at heart. Most of you just want the vacation time. I many places teachers have to look for part time jobs when schools close in the summer and other times. You all are blessed but very ungrateful. Things will get better but you all making it worse. I do not care who responds negatively, I said what I said. Quit because you are a quitter and see how you fit in elsewhere, a quitter is a quitter.
    - @ Have Mercy (01/11/2021, 14:13) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Enjoy what treats your cat litter box have to offer for lunch today. You are a true candidate for the STUPIDITY PASS Of the week award. AND THE PASS GOES TOOOOO, THE SIMPLETON SITTING IN THE FRONT ROW, THIRD ON THE LEFT AND THAT WILL BE YOUUUUUUU. COME ON UP AND CLAIM YOUR STUPIDITY PASS. YEAHHHHH, LOOK WHAT I GOTTTT.
Teacher / paying union member (01/11/2021, 04:24) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
Thanks to teacher who put her business on Facebook to get certain matters addressed. If it was not for her, we probably would not even have gotten the $300 to begin with. The union needs a stronger leader. Teachers go through so much with no proper representative or representation. Most of the credit for this victory belongs to the brave teacher, not the union executive. They carried the message . This union leader and some of the executive members want to be friends with politicians while teachers suffer in silence. We need better leadership. The current president is not it. The teacher's union is weak that is why these issues continued for such a long time. All they want to do is write letters then sit back and wait . This has gotten teachers little to no results. I'm glad that the teachers on their own saw the need for action and were unafraid. Their voices were finally heard. We let the union executive know that we will move with or without them and unafraid.
- teacher too (01/11/2021, 11:29) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
  The BVITU is not a trade union. It cannot negotiate with government. It can make suggestions. That’s all. The president’s hands are tied. It is not much the executive can do.
Education (01/11/2021, 07:08) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
This speech is so REDUNDANT you listen to one you don’t have to listen to the others. What about updating the education system never heard you mention where the education system is right now and where you would like to see it. I have no degree just an high school graduate and I can clearly see the vision for education is not a part of your plan. Education should be always evolving and relevant to present and future and should not be at a standstill the people need to know where do you plant to take education. Where there is no vision the people will surely perish.
long look me come from (01/11/2021, 07:28) Like (5) Dislike (7) Reply
We with you Showda crazy Cindy will not prevail
today (01/11/2021, 07:44) Like (3) Dislike (15) Reply
Crazy C***y try and try for months trying to get back at the Government who fired her. She tried all kind of things. She found a loophole within the can’t think for themselves individuals of this community and now using them to actually get her agenda on the roll. This ain’t about country. It’s about an individual who had no issues making big money for doing nothing now upset that she no longer have the income to match her lifestyle. I hope employed people with jobs don’t be foolish to risk their responsibilities to please C***y and be like her after. The agenda at the HoA is not about country but it’s about an individual who’s who’s what she can at her personal best interest.
- @today (01/11/2021, 09:31) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
  This topic is not about C…y. TAKE YOUR FAKE TWO DOLLAR BILL THIRSTY SALTY A.. A SWIFT DIVE OFF THE DEEP END OF THE PIER.
- @today (01/11/2021, 15:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
  Just shut up already. You are so far gone in the IT that there is no coming back from the IT for you. Looks to me like you have some type of personal vendetta towards C…y and you can’t explain why. Typical BVI behavior, I don’t like you but can’t come up with a valid reason as to why you don’t like the person. Keep on with your behind the screen ranting, NO ONE SIMPLY GIVES A DAMN!!
Hello Sir (01/11/2021, 08:10) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
We don’t need your $300.00 tip money or bribe. What we want is a face to face sit down conversation. Thank you, but no Thank you. You can’t just toss us a bone and expect the problem to go away or resolve itself.
all ah we (01/11/2021, 09:00) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
WE WANT INTEREST ON OUR PAST OVERDUE STIPENDS
lol (01/11/2021, 09:30) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
That photo says it all! LOL WASTE!!!!
ting to talk (01/11/2021, 09:58) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
I am very disappointed on you Mr. Minister. As a teacher ,a man who should know the suffering that the teachers were, are going and will be going through and decide to insult them with $300.00 which the price of a text book at island services is a disgrace. Teachers, nurses, doctors and police should be treated better mr. Politicians. Without these people you would not be who you are today. Mr. Minister with due respect can you compensate your mommy for everything he has done for you ? Same as the teachers? Today all the titles or names you have like Dr. Minister, Honourable is just because of the teachers. Mr Minister I am calling on your teacher's conscience to do better for us.
huh (01/11/2021, 10:05) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
This is very ungrateful as a token of appreciation is simply a token. you all don’t meet with him or use the established union and spring a strike without prior airing of grievances.

He’s not a mind reader and this squabble should not derail someone who has and is capable of creating positive change.
Interested (01/11/2021, 12:22) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
The time he took to go to the United Nations to complain the COI should have been more productively spent concentrating on education. How do you lead your country into independence with the education system in shambles.Which is priority at this time ?
How
@ HUR (01/11/2021, 15:13) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
SO WHAT YOU ARE SAYING , HE WASN'T AWARE OF THE SITUATION WITH THE TEACHERS ? SO WHERE ARE BOTH OF YOU LIVING IN SPACE SPACE ?
confused (02/11/2021, 07:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
The teachers union made their demands, including the request for the $300 stipend and he is being criticized for meeting their demands??? It is what the teachers union asked requested, isn’t it? There seems to be a clear disconnect between the union and teachers it should be representing. Teachers make your demands clear and let’s get on with it.

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$300 stipend vouchers for teachers ready for distribution- Dr the Hon Wheatley

24 Responses to “$300 stipend vouchers for teachers ready for distribution- Dr the Hon Wheatley”

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