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Hon de Castro vows to stand with teachers & demand change

-says ‘your brave stance has demanded my attention’ following teacher strike action
Junior Minister for Tourism and At-Large Representative, Hon Sharie B. de Castro (AL) says she stands will the collective cries of educators across the VI, following recent strike action by some teachers of the Elmore Stoutt High School over working conditions. Photo: GIS/FAcebook
Althea Scatliffe Primary School is one of at least four schools forced to call of schooling due to a large volume of absenteeism among teachers. Photo: Internet Source/File
Althea Scatliffe Primary School is one of at least four schools forced to call of schooling due to a large volume of absenteeism among teachers. Photo: Internet Source/File
Junior Division teachers of Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) took strike action on October 27, 2021. Photo: VINO
Junior Division teachers of Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) took strike action on October 27, 2021. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Junior Minister for Tourism and At-Large Representative, Hon Sharie B. de Castro (AL) says she stands with the collective cries of educators across the VI, following recent strike action by some teachers of the Elmore Stoutt High School and other schools over working conditions.

In a statement released yesterday, October 29, 2021, the Junior Minister said that as an educator by training, she is using the opportunity to publicly express my support for all educators in the Virgin Islands, she said

“As a former student and teacher of the Elmore Stoutt High School, I am very familiar with the concerns raised as I have experienced them firsthand. This is also proof that some of the issues have been longstanding and have been experienced throughout all schools,” the minister said.

Educators require good working environment - Hon de Castro 

The Minister noted that as part of best practices, in order for effective teaching and learning to take place, all teachers, administrators, counselors, staff, and students require an environment that is conducive.

“Therefore, it should be equipped with adequate resources, up-to-date curriculum, serious consideration and support for special education, a defined pathway for upward mobility and just compensation. In fact, I believe these are reasonable expectations.”

The Minister indicated, however, that the government has taken steps to improve the system despite some shortfalls.

“As an elected member of the government, I acknowledge the steps that this government has taken to improve education. Significant strides have been made, initiatives launched and infrastructure developed and remediated. Of course, as with anything there is still much more to be done.”

Hon de Castro continued, “I am also aware that the Minister for Education is working to address the concerns of the teachers and I have assured him that I am available to provide support in any way possible.”

Stance means more support for educators - Hon de Castro 

She said the stance by teachers has unlocked the public’s awareness and has triggered attention that should garner support that will command the change required to advance the local education.

“I also willingly admit that your brave stance has demanded my attention and action to stand with you. Additionally, it has also inspired the resurgence of my voice,” she said.

Hon deCastro also vowed that as an elected representative and trained educator, “I will continue to lobby for the changes you seek.”

The Minister reminded that while changes will not happen overnight, she remains ready to engage in dialogue on behalf of teachers as well as to support actions that will yield solutions and birth meaningful change.  

22 Responses to “Hon de Castro vows to stand with teachers & demand change”

  • My girl (30/10/2021, 14:11) Like (19) Dislike (2) Reply
    Honey, I admire you... but you missed the mark, you should have been the education minister.
    • i said it (30/10/2021, 15:46) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
      My dear, I am disappointed in you. You are a trained Educator and you should have stepped in from day one and help correct some of the problems. Stop sitting back quiet and allowing everyone else to give you permission to speak. You should have stand up from day one and demanded the Education Minister Portfolio. I’ll say this much, you would have been good at that.
    • teacher john (30/10/2021, 16:22) Like (9) Dislike (20) Reply
      Should have put Sharie in education a long time, she would have clean up and out them NDP staff who undermining Showda and smiling in his face!
      • WOW (30/10/2021, 19:51) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
        Are you seriously suggesting the teachers are to blame for this situation?
  • shantel (30/10/2021, 14:35) Like (22) Dislike (6) Reply
    This is like trump saying he standing aginst racism
  • west (30/10/2021, 14:36) Like (31) Dislike (0) Reply
    She need to go help Showada from just giving speeches
  • Sam (30/10/2021, 15:13) Like (30) Dislike (6) Reply
    just looking votes
    • ... (30/10/2021, 16:15) Like (4) Dislike (25) Reply
      she has a right to look for votes as we going reelect her again but she will not get the most votes this time
  • pat (30/10/2021, 16:18) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Finally, you stand when you need to but Showda refused your help so said the school children
    • @pat (30/10/2021, 21:56) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      If she was a strong backbone kind of woman. She would have made him take the help. Girl don’t sit back and let your male colleagues walk over you.
      • @@pat (31/10/2021, 16:00) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
        You sound foolish. She should make him??? Fahie need to move him from there. He’s drowning and education along with him.
  • Rubber Duck (30/10/2021, 16:20) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Dear Sharie...
    You still have time..just stop letting your government fail and speak up but keep up your other good works behind the seen
  • Blaah (30/10/2021, 17:30) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    it is a shame that thease people after years of dedicated service is still owed all this money by government with no chance of knowing when they will be paid if the shoe was on the other foot oh boy
  • OhMy (30/10/2021, 18:02) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Maybe she should leave tourism alone snd head to education. It seems that’s where her passion snd vision is. The Premier did her a disservice or she did it go herself because she could have stood her ground.
    • I agree (30/10/2021, 22:01) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      Tourism is not the right fit for her. From day one she should have been given the Education Portfolio
  • We need (30/10/2021, 18:54) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    We need strong Women leaders in office that is going to stand face to face, hand on one hip, eye to eye contact and let the male Politicians know exactly what time it is. What is he going to do? Hit the woman or have her arrested for setting him straight? I don’t think so.
  • Teachers Matter (30/10/2021, 23:26) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hon. DeCastro, Fahie, V. Wheatley and N. Wheatley were all teachers. It’s hurtful to know that teachers needed to engage in industrial action in order to grab the attention of our leaders and effect improvement within our education system. I guess they all left the trenches and with their current ‘cushie’ perks, they could careless about the profession
    that they once called their own or the future leaders who must daily endure struggles that in many cases can be minimized. No one expects miracle workers but we do expect our children, their health and education to be a priority.
  • my vote (31/10/2021, 07:43) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
    Don’t mind the hate and chatter we re-elected Decastro
  • Hear ye!!! Hear Ye!!! (31/10/2021, 16:20) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply

    Give back tourism to Shereen that’s her passion. Her sister is no longer there. So no conflict to talk about. Move Education under Premier and appoint Sharie as Junior Minister of Education. That’s her passion. Do right by those ladies Andrew. You were elected by 1 district and those ladies were elected by nine districts. They should have been in the cabinet. You campaigned on women and youth empowerment but all three woman and the youth sitting behind you. Fahie wanted to be leader tell him to LEAD!!!

  • Si vergüenza (31/10/2021, 18:16) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Shame on you girl ,Shame on all or all you


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