Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

VI History curriculum needs improvement - Wheatley

Wheatley says existing History syllabus in schools focus only on slavery, CXC is solution
Wheatley says the text book currently being used to teach Caribbean History in secondary schools in the VI is taught in such a way that it promotes the idea of black people only being slaves. File Photo: VINO
(L-R) Co-host Natalio Wheatley & Host of Umoja Cromwell Smith, both agree that the subject History is taught in the schools based on a region rather than people. File Photo: VINO
(L-R) Co-host Natalio Wheatley & Host of Umoja Cromwell Smith, both agree that the subject History is taught in the schools based on a region rather than people. File Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Many people around the Caribbean including students and teachers alike, when speaking on the topic of ‘Black History’ or History in general, often refer only to the fact that the Tainos and Kalinagos were once inhabitants here, along with details about producing Sugar Cane and having an ancestral background unforgettably linked to slavery.

Co-host of the popular informative radio talk show, Umoja, Natalio Wheatley, along with host Cromwell Smith claim that the History curriculum that is currently being taught to secondary students in the Virgin Islands (VI) are based on a region rather than the prospective of a people or race.

Both hosts made these statements while conducting their show on May 31, 2012 on a local radio station.

Wheatley stated that the text book currently being used to teach Caribbean History is taught in such a way that it promotes the idea of black people being only slaves.

He added that the first mention of Black History in the schools is about slavery.

In relation to CXC being implemented in the VI, Wheatley stated that this could address and fix the problem of improving the History curriculum in schools in the VI.

However, he said he is concerned that if CXC is made compulsory, how much control the local Government would have over it and the exams.

In quoting the Minister for Education Hon. Myron Walwyn, Wheatley stated that the Minister said “there is a certain level of autonomy in terms of what you teach within the CXC curriculum”.

Host Mr. Smith told his audience that teachers should be able to teach History from the perspective and within the context of what is desired for them to be taught and to make sure that it remains within the criteria of CXC.

Students of the VI and the Caribbean on a whole have the right to be educated about the ‘Black’ race’s achievements and inventions, he said.

7 Responses to “VI History curriculum needs improvement - Wheatley”

  • jack be still (04/06/2012, 09:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yea too much European history lessons
  • Queen Mary (04/06/2012, 10:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I agree with Wheatley our school still teachers a lot f rubbish about the real role of African in world history. And now you got an education minister who knows nothing about education development so we will have a new push for CXC and links with the UK so our history will be lost and never thought yet again!!!
    • x factor (04/06/2012, 20:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Thank you so much VIP under Fahie for starting such a programme which I think was fantastic!!!! I am old now but remember too well in my days all i was taught about was Christopher Columbus....Now I wish I knew more about our local Black History....Hope the NDP looks into this idea as I have not head nothing from Myron on this topic
  • MADDING (04/06/2012, 10:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This artical takes me back to some 28 years ago sitting in class 4 upset to tears after learning that my ancestors were slaves, and before knowing the terrible history of my people I spent most of those early years learning about the indians and christopher columbus, thinking what did my people achieve what was our significance. Some 28 years later hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, that crap is still an Issue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Artical from last week said white people felt abused "wrath of Local" WOW WOW WOW!!!!!!!!!!
  • Noel (04/06/2012, 11:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    we need some Phd in our school system to look at the essence of the history teaching approach which is the linking of assessment to curriculum and instruction.....
  • Bernice Bush (04/06/2012, 19:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I started studying history with one view in mind: to look for answers to the issues and problems I saw in the BVI. By the time I went to college I came to history asking questions about war and peace, about wealth and poverty, about racial division.....history is vital and it should also tell the truth!


Create a comment


Submit comment

Create a comment

Submit comment
Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.