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First-ever student Junior Minister of Education to be introduced in BVI

Education Minister Dr Natalio Wheatley

The Ministry of Education is planning to introduce its first-ever student Junior Minister of Education in the British Virgin Islands.

Education Minister Dr Natalio Wheatley told BVI News that the initiative, which is still being finalised, will give a selected student the responsibility of providing the ministry with a much-needed perspective from the territory’s student population.

“It’s a role where they will be an ambassador for education issues for students, almost like a voice for students in national affairs,” Dr Wheatley explained.

“You would really want to ignite that type of interest in the political system, whether as someone who would represent people in parliament or whether somebody who is just an activist or an advocate — that is really their role,” he added.

Minister Wheatley also said the initial idea to develop the initiative came from a local student.

“This is an idea that I credited Jordan Dawson, a student at Elmore Stoutt High School who recently made a proposal to me on this matter, ” Dr Wheatley stated.

While no date has been set for the official implementation of the new initiative, Minister Wheatley said his ministry is expected to have it rolled out “in the next couple months”.

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24 Comments

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  1. Diaspora says:

    A great idea for civic engagement and participation and for key stakeholder——young/youth——input and participation. It is planting the seed for growing and enhancing political interest that can be harvested in the future. If it is not already in the primary and secondary school curriculum, reintroduce Civics into the curriculum. Many decades ago Civics was an integral part of the public school curriculum.

    Like 7
    Dislike 4
    • Commonwealth Day says:

      Wasn’t yesterday Commonwealth Day where you all celebrated by not working. Not one item in the news. How racist.

      Like 1
      Dislike 4
      • @ Commonwealth Day. says:

        Firdt, Scatter the donkey bout racist! What is racist about that?

        Second, It was once name “empire Day,” meaning being belonging to the british empire, no caps needed.

        Third, commonwealth day implies the same thing, part of the british commonwealth.

        Fourth, many now have evolved beyond the yolk of colonialism, and would gladly change those name to cudjoe, Ralph Day, Robby Day, Illma Day, Louis Day, Marcus Garvey Day, Walter Rodney Day. To people who have actually contributed humanely and significantly to the development of the people and lands of the BVI.

        Gusee that will be considered real racism? See, many do not want to be defined by the relics and institutions of colonialism and all its past and present ills anymore. Is that racist also?

        An authentic factual essay could be written, but let it rest for now with first ideas as a precurser.

      • CW says:

        Oh look, another STRUPE COMMENT from another one individual that complains and does NOTHING themselves. Grow up STRUPE. Let the grown folks do positive things and keep your hate to yourself smdh

        Like 1
        Dislike 1
  2. Goodsense says:

    This is a good idea for all the other Ministries as well

    Like 3
    Dislike 9
  3. Hmmm says:

    Utter foolishness. Conduct a survey, host town hall meetings, go door to door not only during election. For crying out loud when will the nonsense stop.

    I honestly feel for my Country. As I foresee a potential global collapse of the financial markets in the wake of the coronavirus we are going to need to think outside the box in order to stay afloat. If these type of foolishness is our benchmark for innovation, then we are all in big trouble.

    Like 13
    Dislike 10
  4. Disinterested says:

    Though all the discrete initiatives being rolled out by this supposedly unconventional government in unconventional ways may have quality and provides value for money, a national development plan(NDP), comprehensive development plan (CDP), master plan(MP) or whatever other alphabet soup plan is needed as a hub for managing growth and change.

    The VIP was in the opposition wilderness for 8 consecutive years so it should have to power with a fleshed-out master plan. It didn’t. And everything is being piece meal. Act unconventional and develop and implement a binding NDP to serve as a blue print to manage growth and change. Nevertheless, the student junior minister of education is a good initiative.

    The VI is a resource-poor territory with its key resource being its people ( people are the leading strength in SWOT( Strength Weakness Opportunities Threats) process. It must invest effectively in and on its human capital. People are the engine that will drive the territory on the way forward.

    The Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Sports, Agriculture and Fisheries is too large to be effective; it needs to be streamlined so there can be a laser focus on education. The late Peter Drucker, a renowned management guru, suggest that at most a person may be great at two things but at one thing one can become a specialist. One can use a screw driver as a chisel but a good chisel will provide a quality output.

    Like 18
    Dislike 2
  5. Wow says:

    More smoke and mirror nonsense with no real tangible results. What are these guys really doing with our country.

    Like 12
    Dislike 5
  6. vip heckler says:

    The whole world in trouble and we here in the BVI playing dolly house

    Like 13
    Dislike 1
  7. horny goat weed says:

    This is all this sexy minister could come up with ???

    Like 5
    Dislike 2
  8. down hill says:

    I miss Hon. Walwyn from education. I had much more confidence in him than I have in this minister. Hon. Wheatley has no real plans it looks like to me. Is the extra year in or out? Up to now I don’t understand this.

    Like 15
    Dislike 1
  9. idea says:

    I have an idea! Let the student minister be the real minister. They can’t do no worse than he is doing now.

    Like 13
    Dislike 1
  10. Want to know says:

    Waiting for the report on the teacher.

    Like 14
  11. I want to know too says:

    What is the report from the Board of Education on the IDPS incident, how is the child doing ? Any follow up with the parent? Have the education department provided any form of counseling for the child? Why are the other teachers hush hush ? Our children are our future Hon Minister, after all you are a human first, then a parent then a minister, remember this position is not for ever you will need us to put you back in this position. Wjo are you protecting the victim or the acused. FROM MY HEART.

  12. CW says:

    Look at these comments. This is a wonderful thing for the BVI and shows the correct intent and actually prioritizes the youth, WHICH IS THE FUTURE. YOU STRUPES WITH BAD ATTITUDE AND NEGATIVE ENERGY ARE THE CURRENT AND THE PAST.
    shame on you for always being hateful to the only people that try. YOU DONT TRY, SO YOU DONT GET TO CRY. GROW UP STRUPES

  13. Like wise as well says:

    I am also waiting for the report on the teacher that assaulted the child with the Pine Sol.

    Like 3
    Dislike 1
  14. MS says:

    Paise Dr. Natalio Wheatley this New Minister of Education, Culture, Youth Sports, Agriculture and Fisheries, also District 7 & 8 District Leader. I see he sees a
    Greater vision for ALL the positions with new creative ideas to which he holds.
    I to see the vision he has for the youth of the BVI and allowing them to step up to the plate show their potential given in leadership with creative ideas for their future and our homeland.
    I have been following Dr. Natalio Wheatley his visions in the position/Titles he holds. Start working with him for a better BVI and hope – hope from the Youth Leadership in Education with a BIG/BOLD and Greener Environment this new leader predict.

    • @MS says:

      You got to be blind. Are you sure that you live in the BVI or on planet earth? I seriously doubt that or else you couldn’t be taking time to write the horse piss you just write.

      Like 4
      Dislike 1
      • Anonymous says:

        Your Ancestor must no be from the BvI and just taking up space just using what they have to offer, Why not give up your spot to someone else [email protected] see a better future for the BVI. So tell me what gave you ever done for the Island. Why not go and do the work necessary and then run for something instead of stopping others with a vision that along with those who care about the BVI and it’s growth instead of looking on a daily basis for BAD with your eyes widE shut.
        You had a leader in the LL/EE 7 & 8
        District for 20 years and what do you have to show, Dr. N. Wheatley into that position and I am proud of his vision to put the First District Office in the area. What achievement have you done in your position. Why not go and educate your self then come back with some to offer your home. Don’t envythosewho gave hope for their home kand. Where is your pride – go and learn about the people who have been in the BVI from the beginning with history in the Island. Go get a book learnow about the Ancestors who go way back for you to enjoy what the BVI have and is sharing with something good like you. You sound angry and somewhat jealous.

      • MS says:

        Go and get a spine before you begin to be critical of other who are willing to built up the BVI to stand up beside and not behind others Caribbean Island. Where did you educated. Go get a book or go and speak to the elders – you truly lack knowledge. Go and at least learn something before you try to stop someone else’s success. Go and grow a spine and backbone of your own and get a vision. You sound so small minded. Like I said learn the History of the BVI.

  15. MS says:

    I Paise Dr. Natalio Wheatley this New Minister of Education, Culture, Youth Sports, Agriculture and Fisheries, also District 7 & 8 new District Leader. I see he has a
    Greater vision for ALL the positions and new creative ideas to which he holds.
    I to see an opportunity he has invisionedthe vision he has for the youth of the BVI allowing them to step up to the plate showing their potential given a position at the table in leadership platform showing creative ideas for their future and our homeland.
    I have been following Dr. Natalio Wheatley his visions in the position/Titles he holds. Start working with him for a better BVI and hope – hope from the Youth Leadership in Education with a BIG/BOLD and Greener Environment this new leader predict

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