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Minister Walwyn insists on continuing gala dinner for teachers

Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn is prepared to continue the gala dinner for teachers despite heavy public criticisms. Photo: VINO
Teachers turned out in large numbers for the Professional Day exercise at the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium, H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) today, August 26, 2013. Photo: VINO
Teachers turned out in large numbers for the Professional Day exercise at the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium, H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) today, August 26, 2013. Photo: VINO
The close to $100K price tag included, according to the Minister for Education, prizes given to the teachers who were selected as outstanding teachers, the catering, decorations, music, rental of tables and chairs and other costs, however, no break down for each items listed was provided to the public. Photo: VINO Team of Reporters
The close to $100K price tag included, according to the Minister for Education, prizes given to the teachers who were selected as outstanding teachers, the catering, decorations, music, rental of tables and chairs and other costs, however, no break down for each items listed was provided to the public. Photo: VINO Team of Reporters
PARAQUITA BAY, Tortola, VI – Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn has made it clear that he has every intention of continuing the gala dinner for teachers even though he faced a series of criticisms for the last event.

This was made clear during his address to teachers, principals and other education officials at the opening ceremony of Professional Day at the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium, H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) today, August 26, 2013.

“As you all are well aware, I am still taking a few hits for daring to celebrate the work that you do and offer incentives to challenge you to do an even better job but I will not be deterred; teachers you deserve every penny that was spent on that gala dinner to celebrate your accomplishments,” said Hon. Walwyn.

The gala dinner in March of 2013 came under the microscope and heavy criticism from all corners of society when Virgin Islands News Online published a story that some $99, 725.49 was spent on the activity. The information was made public following a question by veteran legislator and opposition member Honnourable Julian Fraser RA, to Minister Walwyn on April 25, 2013 at the eight sitting of the second session of the second House of Assembly.

Criticisms from the public included that the event was too elaborate given the ‘economic crisis’ of the Virgin Islands at the time. The Minister did not say how much will be budgeted for the next event.

Many persons have said they are not opposed to teachers being rewarded or honoured as they are well deserving of such but the Minister needed to be better guided in his spending.

Minister Walwyn also revealed a number of new initiatives. “To ease some of the administrative tasks, we are hoping to implement a secretarial pool… I would be strongly advocating for this to be implemented in the upcoming budget sessions.” This was one of the new areas highlighted by the minister.

“We have already identified a number of young teachers who we would want to make additional investments in,” Hon. Walwyn added.

23 Responses to “Minister Walwyn insists on continuing gala dinner for teachers”

  • speech writer (26/08/2013, 16:53) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    In a time of great change in education all he can tell the teachers is I do not care what hit I get I am going to dry the treasury to give you a meal...Shame on you Myron...like Dr. Smith you are out of touch!!
  • just do it (26/08/2013, 16:57) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    You see why we really must vote out the NDP the arrogance is appalling!!
  • NDP voter (26/08/2013, 16:59) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Listen to me real good, stop your silly nonsense. If you wanted to do this as a one time event for that amount of money I side you because our teacher are precious. But to do this every year? Use your salary and then lets talk about it.
    • bobo ass (26/08/2013, 20:01) Like (4) Dislike (8) Reply
      You sounded like a real idiot I only hope you are not a teacher who is desperate for free meal
      • bad boy (26/08/2013, 20:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Intgegrity and honesty should be the hallmark of this present impending exercise.
  • xxxxxxxx (26/08/2013, 17:01) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Most of the public agrees with the appreciation dinner but my god Myron 100K? Jeez un bread man that is criminal...
  • ----------------- (26/08/2013, 17:05) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply

    Is he trying to hoodwink and Bamboozle we to get another 100K dinner?..this man need to stop with he cocka may may as tis we tax payers hard earn $$$$$

  • Well Sah (26/08/2013, 17:35) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    these stubborn ministers.. just wont listen to ppl.
  • HIGHLY PISSED (26/08/2013, 17:44) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Please get your festival committee to pay people they owing $$. This is a disgrace. ppl need to get paid!!! and they are so unprofessional.. not answering their fones!!!!! Total DISRESPECT!! SOME BODY IS GOING TO HAVE TO ANSWER TO THE MAGISTRATE FOR MY MONEY!!!
  • time will tell (26/08/2013, 19:07) Like (2) Dislike (8) Reply
    i looking for a job in the teaching service the money small but I can be guarantee a big meal for the next two years!!!!
  • Old Politics (26/08/2013, 19:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Myron stop making it seem as if the hits you getting about the dinner is because you wanted to celebrate the teachers. It is because of the one night price tag of one hundred thousand dollars. You out of place.
  • Ajic (26/08/2013, 19:40) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    This foolishness just cements my decision to NOT GIVE NDP my vote. Mr. Minister you are an ignorant fool. How dare you waste tax payers money in such an extravagant manner. I bet if it was coming out of your personal pocket you would never repeat such a waste. Everybody seems to make a big deal of teaching. Teaching is just another profession no more stressful that a lot of other professions out there. They are not the only group of hardworking people around. In fact if we had to look at the literacy level of our youths, I would have to say many of them appears to be sleeping on the job. STOP WASTING MY TAX MONEY MYRON!!!
  • DADDY FRIDAY (26/08/2013, 19:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    No wonder we have so many lackeys closing ranks over the mealgate saga
  • Gratefully Educated (26/08/2013, 20:06) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr. Minister please get over this dinner thing and give us sound examples as to how your efforts have contributed to the development of education in the BVI
  • ooooo (26/08/2013, 21:57) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    keep it up myron...see where it lands you
  • Nice Show (27/08/2013, 05:53) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Yea Myron sock it to um we having we dinner every year me aint care but no cost!
  • Dinner (27/08/2013, 06:54) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply

    Forget about the dinner and get to national educational services and see the prices on those text books it's crazy government we a calling on u all for some prize control around here to many of these business rubbing people blind on this island
    • Agree (27/08/2013, 17:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I could not agree with you more on your point about NES. I don't know what they heard about. Some of the prices on those workbooks that they know students need are ridiculous. I know that price has gone up by their distributors (as they claim). But has it gone up that much?
  • zoe (27/08/2013, 09:42) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    . Spending $100 k on a dinner doesn't make sense
    • in the news (27/08/2013, 10:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Mr. Walwyn's statement perfectly represents the BVI politician: always seeking personal power over people and country. Will you all just grow up?
  • smdh (27/08/2013, 10:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hey mr flame, if you want to continue with your dinners go right ahead no one's stopping you. So long it's coming out your paycheck/pocket rather than mine I have no problem with it.
  • the teachers (27/08/2013, 17:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Give it a break Myron Stop wasting our money on this cry baby BS.



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