Businesses open but schools closed? How come?
As the BVI continues to enjoy a 100 percent decline in COVID-19 cases, former Education Minister Myron Walwyn is questioning why many schools across the territory remain closed while many businesses have been allowed to reopen.
In a recent Facebook post, Walwyn said schools should be reopened for face-to-face instructions because numerous students face challenges with online learning.
“I am pleased to see that the country is re-opening but what about our children? We were able to open bars, salons, restaurants, etcetera but we can’t open schools? Is there something that I don’t understand? Online learning, on its own, is woefully inadequate for the needs of a significant number of students,” Walwyn’s post said.
He continued: “Prolonged school closures with the academic, social and mental consequences that it brings for students is very troubling particularly for special needs, at-risk, and very young children. Do we recognize that we are infringing on the rights of our children to an education?
In September, the government approved face-to-face learning for all private schools, pre-schools and colleges. Physical classes were also allowed for some students in public schools who are not able to access online learning like everyone else.
The government said these schools could reopen once they’ve been inspected by the Social Distance Monitoring Task Force and approved by the Ministry of Education.
However, to date, many schools continue to deliver classes solely online.
Earlier this week, Education Minister Dr Natalio Wheatley said he is pleased with the safety measures implemented by the Virgin Islands School of Technical Studies (VISTS) which recently reopened for in-person classes.
The minister said the success of the VISTS will impact the reopening of other schools across the territory.
“We can expect that other schools will reopen and I will be making a speech shortly on that topic,” Dr Whealtey stated.
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This is not down the island Antigua where you from you don’t make no shots up here. The government know what they doing.
my run go sit down nobody got time for you you trying to be relevant with the hope to re enter the political field be advised you will be beaten again 6the people will take off all your clothes
The reason schools closed because there is Covid throughout the Territory and schools in the BVI are centers for incubating disease. Coupled with the poor cleaning of the schools along with the poor hygiene of the children schools are super spreader centers. Learn to wash!! Maybe tings won’t be so bad.
I’m quite tired of reading this type of backward and uncalled for rhetoric day after day. Mr. Walwyn is a born BVIslander who in his short lifetime has made and continues to make meaningful and significant contributions to the development of the land of his birth and its peoples. You don’t have to agree with his position but rather state yours and defend it with rational well thought out supporting arguments. This would be more beneficial to all concerned rather that you utilizing this platform to utter rubbish and divisive rhetoric that serves no useful purpose but rather make BVIslanders look like a set of ignorant people lacking in knowledge and unlearned. Mr. Walwyn “TALK AS YOU LIKE”.
These peoples here does get me sick the man born right here so he got all the right just like these peoples what it is because is title he carrying is not Fahie ,Hodge ,smith and the list goes on its about time them get the hell off Myron back now Jeezy
he better go back Antigua he will never be premier here NEVER
So this is the educated contribution you have to make. This is the reason schools need to be open to educate the children and not let them grow up in the ignorance that you seem to display.
I remember being in stage 1 with Myron so you better get your facts straight. Myron was born right here in the BVI so go away with birther Trump like argument. You all make the dog sick with your constant hatred and jealousy. Go in the corner face front and come out until I call you.
Your statement contributes to nothing, but clearly demonstrates horrendous h—-d and ignorance.
What will that statement do to influence the reopening of schools, the economic, jobs and social development of the youths and country? Absolutely nothing.
Further, any man can leave his birth country, locate to another one, become a citizen/belonger of that adopted country and go on to make significant contributions to that adopted country.
For example, take a researched look our neighbor ST. Kitts, go research past leaders, government officials and ministers of education of that country.
Indeed, there you will find that many were from Dominica and Antigua respectively, to name a few. Look at St. Kitts’s position on the Caribbean economic and development landscape today. Did those non Kittians had a negative impact on the growth and development of that country/St. Kitts? Absolutely not! In fact, they contributed significantly to what is St. Kitts today.
Additinaly, just as a community needs new influx of blood and DNA material to prevent inbreeding, so to does a country need new and smart minds to propel it forward. This thinking is not seen in your statement, sadly.
Personally, i have no so called “island people” family ties. No, i did not succumb to the instruments of hate and division.
I am a 100% of those so called local/belongers that every one takes pride in belittling to day. Nonetheless, the above prose speaks to the mentality and working philosophy of who what i am intellectually.
Last therefore, try to expose thyself to reading, mental and intellectual growth, belonger.
Moomoo this is a born bvislander, he has all the right to ask questions, and he will be seated in the next government in the bvi, bet your last dollar.
Adults can vote, children can’t , Adults can drink alcohol legally children can’t, adults can drive legally children can’t, adults are allowed into nightclubs, children are not and the list goes on and on. There are 2 set of rules in life that are specifically put in place to protect children, Society and science shows that children are not mature enough to make certain decisions etc. If adults cannot follow very simple guidelines after 6 months of constant lecturing it is foolish to think that children will do better. Schools should be opened but not because bars, night clubs, hair salons etc. are opened. That logic is flawed.
Only when somebody makes noise this government seems to do anything. So if Myron didn’t say anything Hon. Wheatley would not have run come on the internet to give opening dates for school. This is what happens when you don’t have a plan for anything.
You really out of place to think that the Government just jump up and look at schools because this op*******st is speaking. He full well have his contacts inside of Government and knew it was coming out.
We all understand that Covid-19 has affected everyone globally and locally. However, the BVI seems not to have a plan in handling this pandemic. There must be a plan the plan must be able to tweet daily as Covid will be with us for a while.
Environmental Health came out with a long list for bars/clubs. Sheep advocate for bars/clubs to re-open. Where is the same energy for schools? Where is the plan to re-open schools. Where are the zoom meetings with parents/stakeholders regarding schools?
The entire world has re-opened except for the BVI which has 1 case (a quarantined case).
VIP is still campaigning and not addressing the real issues at hand: tourism, education, financial services, social services. However, he continues to sign contracts, host lavish launches, rebrand departments and on and on.
Our Premier and his team are unable to lead and does not have a vision. We voted for VIP as our Premier roped us in with his fancy talks. Fancy talks with no vision or purpose.
We the people are tired. We the people need to see action. We the people need you to do the work that we have voted you and your team to do.
No jobs, no money, no education, no tourism, no plan, nothing.
We will let you know at the polls how we really feel.
Vote VIP Out!
Most of the VIP top brass were pushing for the bars and strips clubs to reopen namely the consultant cline, the speaker and the sheep. Not a peep out of them about school. I now see where their interest lie
This is the real Leader of Opposition
PEOPLE WE GOT TO GET RID OF THE VIP
Get rid of the vip and put in what demons? All you have amnesia man.
Imagine they opening school now. Some expat parents are not in the islands and children have to go to school. Will social development provide school uniform to them. Some laid off workers are not working because the tourism business are still closed yet those parents have to find school clothes and supplies for thier kids in space of 2 weeks. Mind some parents laid off are not getting help from social security.
MYRON I VOTE FOR THE NDP LAST ELECTION BUT IT IS TIMR YOU NEED TO AND SIT DOWN, YOU KNOW THAT MEASURES HAS TO BE PUT IN PLACE FOR THE OPENING OF SCHOOL. SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT OPEN THE SCHOOLS WIDLEY AND SOME THING HAPPENS GOD FOR BID MAN YOU IS REALL A LONG ass. the school in the other caribbean islands is opening schools in stages depending on how things go. I REALLY THINK THAT YOU HAD SENSE BUT YOU DONOT GOT A SH-T OF SENSE NO MATTER WHAT YOU SAY YOU WILL NOT GET BACK IN OUR GOVERNMENT BECAUSE YOUR TAILS TELL THE TALES, MYRON GO SIT DOWN BECAUSE YOUR AGENDA WILL SOON HANG YOU SOME PEOPLE ARE SO GLAD THAT YOU ARE NOT THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION. YOU DID A LOT OF FOOLISHNESS OF WHICH PERSONS WERE AFFECTED SO YOU BETTER GO ASIDE BECAUSE YOUR BOOK WILL SOON OPEN AND BE READ CLOSERTO ELECTION, THE GOVERNMENT IS DOING THE BEST THAT THEY CAN DO ISLAND PEOPLE DOES NOT RUN THIS COUNTRY BVI LANDERS DO. I FIND NDP WAS A BIG WASTE OF TIME
Myron was the Best Minister of Education the BVI has seen and that is a fact that you all cannot get over.
One does not need a degree to pole dance!
BOSS- NDP AIN’T COMING BACK EVER: SET OF WANNABE ELITES- SCREWED THE BVI
What a burning shame that some individuals are so consumed with hate for Myron . A man who is a son Of the soil , born on the beautiful island of Tortola . It is bitter individuals like you who are tarnishing the country as a hostile place to outsiders . Myron has already contributed to this country more than you would ever do in your life time . Stop
Being so jealous. The man has nothing but love for the country. What he says mek sense .
No it not ..it not ur plan but vip own give the dam party there prop there did good ..we only good for tearing down people but sh-t for building up all asunden he can see wat school children need wat wen there needed simple toilet paper to wipe there a$$ and couldn’t find it but millions was spent on the wall talk fact not one opinion..
Dam big waste of time that lil old man Smith..there had he one way maybio
Yes Myron keep the pressure on cause that’s the only time VIP will come out and do something for our kids period ,this online schooling will not work cause what about the students who are slow learner how will this happen sometimes the poor lil internet not working smh
its a pity he loves power but would not return either in the 5th or 6th district
He better not think about at large every again
Why MyRun don’t sit down and shut up from trying to be relevant? You muck up the school system … have children in school longer than necessary, change the grading system because you want to pattern America, said in the HOA of assembly that BVIlanders will no longer be protected. And you have the wherewithal to be trying to stay in the spotlight? Go SIDDUNG!