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ESHS: 'Concerned teachers' allege huge income disparity between new & old staff

-Says when educators are forced from job due to poor pay, new teachers offered higher salaries than existing staff
Information coming into Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) from “concerned teachers’ at the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) is that issues related to the recent ‘sit-in’ at the school also has to do with income disparity and not just working conditions. photo: GIS/File
Teachers on Friday, September 15, 2023, walked out of the classrooms to stage a sit-in protest under the tent at the campus in Road Town over several ongoing issues and challenges. Photo: VINO/File
Teachers on Friday, September 15, 2023, walked out of the classrooms to stage a sit-in protest under the tent at the campus in Road Town over several ongoing issues and challenges. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Information coming into Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) from “concerned teachers’ at the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) is that issues related to the recent ‘sit-in’ at the school also has to do with income disparity and not just working conditions.

Teachers on Friday, September 15, 2023, walked out of the classrooms to stage a sit-in protest under the tent at the campus in Road Town over several ongoing issues and challenges.

Concerned teachers raise voices 

Now in a new statement penned by 'concerned teachers' of the school and seen by our newsroom, the teachers alleged that the issues affecting them are multifaceted, with one major concern being the disparity in salaries.

“Some teachers have chosen to leave their positions due to inadequate pay, resulting in a situation where newly recruited teachers are offered higher salaries than those who have been in the system for years, despite having similar qualifications.”

According to the concerned teachers, wage discrepancy can create frustration and demotivation among experienced teachers who feel undervalued for their years of service, “Furthermore, there seems to be a concerning trend of intimidation towards both cabinet members and the newly hired teachers,” the statement said.

The teachers allege that some individuals are also being threatened to refrain from participating in any form of protest or expressing solidarity with the teachers, however, it remains unclear if this is indeed the case.

Union reportedly sent letter to the Premier - Teachers 

“In response to these issues, the teacher’s union has taken action by sending a letter to the government. However, as of now, there has been no response from the premier. This lack of communication and acknowledgment from the government can further exacerbate the frustrations of the teachers and hinder the resolution of these problems,” the statement continued. 

The Premier after a September 15, 2023, meeting with educators, encouraged the teachers to put their concerns in writing for an investigation to commence and solutions found. While the teachers did indicate that they have received fans over ventilation issues after some delays, they said water woes and electrical issues persist at ESHS. 

“These infrastructure challenges can disrupt the normal functioning of the school and create an uncomfortable and potentially unsafe environment for both teachers and students. Overall, the combination of salary discrepancies, intimidation, lack of government response, delays in resource distribution, and infrastructure issues creates a challenging and demoralizing situation for teachers," the statement said. 

Our newsroom reached out to Premier Dr Wheatley on whether he has received a letter from the Union on the alleged income disparity issues, however, no response was received up to publciation time. 

25 Responses to “ESHS: 'Concerned teachers' allege huge income disparity between new & old staff ”

  • My Solution.. (23/09/2023, 16:09) Like (32) Dislike (3) Reply
    Gave all teachers and Nurses a tax exemption increase from the now $10.000.00 to $22,.000. The rest of us from the now $10,000 to $16,000. Then you don't have to worry and get the headache about minimum wage. That will be a great help for low income workers..
    • nonsense (23/09/2023, 21:50) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
      ALL PROFESSIONS ARE EQUAL!!10k is 10k to ALL OF US
    • @My Solution. Easy fix.. (24/09/2023, 04:25) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      Like how you made a solution a suggestion rather than some blogging criticising, lots to say but offerss no solution or suggestiin... I agree with you 100%. I would add as an alternative, have a one fit all tax free exemption across the Board $18,000.00 . I will admit i still prefer yours solution, thats the best way to bring relief..
  • run (23/09/2023, 16:50) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    The island has been met with nothing but silence and this is no way to run a government.
  • Mustang (23/09/2023, 17:08) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    Teachers have a right to advocate for fair and reasonable compensation, but the “sit-in” were they on school property and on their own time, ie, were they vacation, personal leave or sick time. Did they get pay for the “sit-in” time?

    Moreover, the pay disparity is probably a function of poor compensation structure. The pay structure should include a grade/base with a series of steps for each grade. And there should be a standard grade for new inexperience teachers. New teachers either from overseas or local should be hired at a grade and step commensurate with training, certification and experience. Friction between current and new incoming employees salary disputes are universal. Current employees feel because they on the job the longest they should be paid more. But there are other factors why new employees should be paid more, ie, recruiting challenges, demand elsewhere, labour shortages, brain drain, gravitation to other skill set, etc. It is a challenge for management, trying to keep both groups happy. The steps offer the opportunity to hire at same grade but at different steps provide there can be reasonable time and provisions to move within steps, ie, certification, etc.

    • The Foundation (24/09/2023, 10:19) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
      Teachers are the foundation of the society, community. Teachers taught the Politicians, lawyers, doctors, engineers,nurses, automechanic, survivors, farmers, carpenters, masons and other craftsmen, business men and women, architects, etc. Most of whom command more compensation than teachers but it is all good. Teaching is a labour of love and teachers enjoy the psychic income from seeing their efforts contribute to building their community. Nevertheless, provide teachers the facilities, equipment, tools, so that they impart instruction to students. And a higher living wage would be appreciated.
  • 2023 (23/09/2023, 17:09) Like (14) Dislike (22) Reply
    if you dont like the conditions are you not free to go somewhere else
    • Migoman (23/09/2023, 18:23) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
      I hope to God youre not an educator of some sort, otherwise our future kids are doomed with that mentality
    • To 2023 (24/09/2023, 09:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Yes, and that is why there is now a shortage of teachers you dummy, and probably the reason why the new comers are paid more.
  • The watchdog (23/09/2023, 18:27) Like (5) Dislike (8) Reply
    It’s clear that Myron and the ndp (2011-2019) government have checked out on the education system. The clean up now is huge
  • @ 2023 (23/09/2023, 18:35) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    That was well put , once a nerd always a nerd - go and make some more noise , we cannot heard clearly so shout it out
  • Citizen (23/09/2023, 19:17) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    BVI is special ,, fresh recruits always get a high pay scale, applies to all government departments
  • St Croix March also (23/09/2023, 19:42) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    St Croix student also marched on Friday for pure condition at there schools also for pure conditions
    • smh (24/09/2023, 16:04) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      well wa happen to all da money USVI made during covid from tourism when the bvi borders were closed.
  • wondering (23/09/2023, 23:12) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    What happened to the well on the school campus that was a part of the public water system before the introduction of the desalination plants. This well should be able to adequately serve the ESHS campus.
  • Try (24/09/2023, 01:43) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Resign then reapply.
  • watchman (24/09/2023, 02:10) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    The powers that be at the Ministry of Education need to get their act together. Gone are the days when they could simply appease teachers by saying “it’s for the children”. Teachers, continue to fight for fairness within the education system. Our current policy makers feel that they worker harder and are more important than anyone else. The premier seems to be focused on the financial enumeration of politicians, forgetting that he was once a poor struggling teacher too.
  • destiny (24/09/2023, 06:10) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    There would be a salary disparity between an experienced teacher hired from overseas and a local teacher for the same position when you consider the benefits and the rate of pay where that new teacher will start in the salary grade. You cannot expect and experience teacher to come in the BVI education system and start at a grade 1 1. They must be compensated for experience and qualifications. Put yourself in their position. Would you have come here at that offer?
  • resident (24/09/2023, 07:17) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    This education system is a BIG mess. It's shameful and disgusting to see the conditions under which many teachers function. The minister and ministry only want teachers to do things to make them look good while their mental health suffers. They are a very uncaring and vindictive group of people, especially the new CEO. Let's be quite honest, the current minister is full of talk but does not have what it takes to move education forward. She needs to be sent to a different ministry. Mr.Dawson might be a better fit.
    Many teachers painted and funded their new classrooms so that they look welcoming for the students. The same meager salary was put back into the classrooms. Teachers deserve a better salary.
    I really think that it's time that the teachers demand better by any means necessary.
  • Hmm (24/09/2023, 07:21) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is not fair. My workplace does same thing paying the new staff whom you had to show what to do, more than the older staff who working there 10 plus years or more. Government needs to do something. Workplace is going to labor for permit and providing fake documents that the persons are so qualified thus the salary increase but it's a lie and you have to teach them the work.
  • ann (24/09/2023, 09:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Oh goodie, another sick out? Only the children suffers
  • Make it make sense (24/09/2023, 11:35) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    NatWande was a teacher. Sharie was a teacher. You would think they would be able to relate and give their colleagues the utmost respect/priority. The same they would want if they were still in the profession.
  • Foolish (26/09/2023, 07:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Some of these teachers are Pure waffle - what a waste of time


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