BVI News

Cline’s ‘core values’ programme being introduced in schools

Bishop John Cline

A programme developed by the Bishop John Cline-led New Life Baptist Church has been given a place in the territory’s school curriculum.

Education Minister Myron Walwyn said his ministry has had discussions with the church to implement what is being called a ‘core values programme’ in local schools.

“I have asked the Chief Education Officer to ensure that this core values programme is in place in this term of the academic year,” Walwyn said.

“I am asking all teachers to do your best to help with the implementation of this much-needed programme,” he added.

The minister made the announcement on Monday while noting what he described as “very disturbing trends in certain schools”.

Meanwhile, in an interview with BVI News this week, Bishop Cline said the programme will focus on five core values – integrity, service, respect, excellence, and discipline.

“We have introduced it to our church,” the clergyman said. “We then decided that we would approach the Ministry of Education to introduce this programme into the schools as an add-on to the curriculum – an elective if you put it that way.”

Cline said he hopes other members of the BVI Christian Council will assist to roll out the programme, which he said is still at the infancy stage.

“The details are still being worked out with the Ministry of Education. We will be following their lead in whatever they ask us to do,” the bishop told BVI News.

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34 Comments

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  1. Byron says:

    This is just a strategy to keep the bishop from bashing you politically. Next?

    Like 13
    Dislike 1
    • Moses says:

      The Education Minister has failed us. Our schools are broken and he is to blame for not repairing them or maintaining our education standards.
      It’s only natural that he turns to GOD to help him solve this problem because, as he has demonstrated, he certainly can’t accomplish anything himself.
      GOD help us if he is re-elected.

      • level up says:

        The School system may have some short comings but the families and home and torn apart.
        How can we start at the school when the social issues that has cause these institutions to be dysfuntional no attention is given.

  2. Good idea but ! says:

    The outline appears to be sound however the religious element must be kept to a minimum . People should be allowed to choose their faith and not have it indoctrinated into a learning environment . Religious beliefs are personal and often a family issues not for the state ergo schools education

    Like 25
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  3. Me. Again says:

    Pastor Cline ADDING to our Education Curriculum ?
    Was this discussed with PTA of relevant schools. ?
    Is this a pilot programme ?
    What are the inititaves / rewards for taking this “ add on “ ?
    Is this more SPIN / DICTATORSHIP showing its head in our “ Club membership Government”?
    Was a survey done with a “ core” group ?

    Come on people , our children are not guinea pigs / what we need is SUPPORT to restore OUR CULTURE of “ IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD “
    Too many children are left unsupervised AND too many parents are NOT the adults in their home , because thay prefer ho be their kids friend rather than being a PARENT
    Pastor Cline ‘s programme needs to target “ parents of the TROUBLED children so help can be given in the home then we see results in the schools

    Like 21
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    • One More says:

      This Education Minister never had any good opinion about the BVI’s education system, based on remarks he has made previously. However, when he is finished confusing the issue, I don’t know what will become of the students and literacy in this territory. Since when Bishop Cline or New Life Baptist Church or even this Minister has become expert in Education Curriculum. The Minister has gotten away with a foot so he is attempting to take a yard. Stop and think on the long term implications of willy-nilly tampering with the education curriculum.

  4. duck1951 says:

    This could all be a good thing as long as the church’s own political beliefs are not subtly ingrained in the curriculum . In addition it is imperative that other groups review it before implementation .

    Like 8
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  5. duck1951 says:

    This sounds all a good but somehow I smell a reason to score political points.

    Like 6
    Dislike 1
  6. Hmmm says:

    No Church should be developing anyting for our Public schools!!!!! Use it at Save the Seed that should be enough. These people claim to have all the brains and yet they don’t see this as an infringement of peoples rights? The Minister as a Lawyer should know better!!!! Is this a secular programme……or will fire and brimstone be included.

    Like 19
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    • Secular Program says:

      The BVI is not a secular state. We have not so declared. Our society is underpinned by Godly principles. Our law is on the basis of what is good and moral. God is in our BVI pledge. He is in our territorial song. We still believe in God. Why would a core values program be any different. The BVI says: I pledge to my country, the Territory of the Virgin Islands, to encourage national pride and dignity, render patriotic service, promote justice for all, be true to God and remain dedicated to these Virgin Islands.

  7. Gandalf says:

    Well, well, well if it isn’t the angry Hobbit come out to guide his flock according to values that are so alien to him! Hint from us simple people, you should look to follow those same ‘core values’ yourself before you wish to judge and implement these values on others. Regardless, I think this concept is a great idea, and in urgent need of implementation.

    Like 10
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  8. Outsider Insider says:

    On the face of it this sounds good. I would add civics as well as a core value.

  9. Diaspora says:

    Core values are important for any organization, ie, schools, government, small businesses, multinational cooperations, NGOs, sports team, churches………etc. Yes, the educational systems need some core values, unwavering guidance principles. However, all key stakeholders should have been included in developing core values. Core values are needed but STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) is also needed for moving the territory forward, ie, diversifying the economy. Further, add civics to the curriculum. Need a sound and stable education platform; need to stop bouncing from pillar to post. Let’s stop using education/children as a political football.

    Like 10
  10. Where's the Vision? says:

    Myron Needs to stop his nonsense. Anything at all cost. One time he is wearing a helmet riding a riding a Motorcycle. Now he’s here talking about teaching Values in schools in a country that has more churches than any other country f similar size anywhere. He never did or advocated any of these things or ideas during the past 7 years he’s been in office. He is simply running scared and should be brainstorming ideas on how to empower the same students for getting the jobs after school. If he is campaigning, then do that; don’t be like the cunning snake in the trees in the biblical Adam and Eve in the garden story.
    Though hurricane Irma ripped us asunder and we should have been rebuilding our country mostly by ourselves with some help from outside, we are not. Where is the bulk of the money going? MoneyGram, Western Union and countries in Asia and the rest of the world.
    With a person of Vision Training and Skilled to manage our Education System it would be totally different.
    When Little Dix was being built during 1960, the builders were Imported. When Peter Island was being built late 60-s early 70s the builders were brought in from Norway. 50 years later we are still importing folks to rebuild our country?

    Like 6
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    • Your point? says:

      I’m really trying to get your point in relation to matter at hand it looks like you had no vision before you wrote this blog. What does Myron wearing a helmet trying to promote safe riding has to do with trying to instill proper values in our children?

    • james says:

      nothing is wrong in importing .are we not importing food stuff? what is made in bvi ? children? they flee after completing high school. nothing is wrong with it neither.WHAT ARE WE HARPING ON? FOR US TO BE A COUNTRY WE NEED PEOPLE. OVER THE YEARS WE HAVE BECOME SO ARROGANT–WITH OUR BORN -HERE ATTITUDE-TO BE ARROGANT WE NEED SUBSTANCE TO BACK-UP. LOTS OF STYLE AND NO SUBSTANCE-HENCE LOTS OF THOSE WHO MIGRATED FROM NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES ALSO THOUGH COMFORTABLE FLED TO BIGGER COUNTRIES WHERE THY CN GET LOST IN BIGGER POPULATIONS AND NOT IDENTIFIED AS ISLAND PEOPLE THIS–ISLAND PEOPLE THAT ETC-CHURCH AND PASTORS SHOULD LIMIT THEMSELVES WE SHOULD GO BY OUR CONSCIENCES AND NOT SUPRESS THEM-TO PLEASE CHURCH/PASTOR ETC CHURCH SHOULD BE FOR PEOPLE . NOT PEOPLE FOR CHURCH. REMEMBER-MORE PEOPLE DIED FIGHTING FOR RELIGION THAN ALL DECEASES TOGETHER KILLED ITS IMPOSSIBLE TO LIVE ACCORDING TO RELIGION BUT VERY EASY TO DIE FOR CHURCH

  11. Cardinal Rubber Duck says:

    Thin end of a very dangerous wedge. What qualification does Mr Cline have to be sticking his nose in where it should not be? Will atheists and realists be allowed input ? Or is it just the superstionists who will be allowed to meddle? One thing to teach them is that it does not cost you 10% of your income to be an atheist.

    Like 10
    Dislike 2
    • @ Cardinal Rubber Duck says:

      You would sware he wrote a book on Mathematics or a ‘Baptist Religious Book’ the way some of ya’ll are carrying on!

      The same children attending “SAVE THE SEED” are coming from schools without these core values.
      Kudos to trying to fix some of the issues from the school level so it will be easier to reinforce in any other social setting.

      • Rubber Duck says:

        It is very dangerous when a belief system / commercial entity like Clines church is allowed to interfere in the education process. You stand a good chance of ending up like the sad nations governed by Islam.

  12. 2 bit says:

    Core human values are taught in the home. Core moral values ae taught in the home and in religious settings.

    However, though none are perfect, not one preacher and most in the congregation today ever exhibit the authentic notions of the bible, nor do they genuinely practice the teachings thereof.

    Many no longer view practitioners as genuine stalwarts of values or morality.

    Lastly, education curriculum must be designed by educational specialist and not theologians. Separation of church and state should be enshrined in a constitution.

    Like 7
    Dislike 1
  13. Home says:

    I thought core values were taught at home.

  14. No nonsense says:

    This minister is a “f**t”. This is why life skills was introduced. And the parents do their part. Charity begins at home. How much can be done on a shift. Can’t the minister see that teachers are fed up??

    • No nonsense says:

      Fed up teachers should look new jobs. If life skills was introduced and its not working I guess we should continue, right?

  15. Hmmm says:

    Being a Pastor doesn’t automatically means that he doesn’t have anything to add to the education system. Perhaps we should see the details of this initiative before we start frothing at the mouths?

    Like 5
    Dislike 2
  16. Joe says:

    Cline need to give Myron the sport center to keep school if he want to help talk cheap

  17. Question says:

    The Save the Seed Center is a project created by Bishop Cline and his church. Does everyone attending the gym and basketball court there have to be a part of the church? Do you see pictures of church stuff in the gym or court? NO! NO! Just because the church is involved with something doesn’t mean it has to be ‘about church’. I really hope they put the details out there so people can be at ease and judge for themselves. Nobody helping with education but as soon as someone steps forward with assistance we acting as if we give a s**t. You guys can be really sickening sometimes with the negativity man, f***!

    Like 3
    Dislike 1

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