Higher salaries attracting more educators to BVI public schools
After years of struggling to attract and retain educators, Education Minister Sharie de Castro has announced a renewed interest in the public education system, crediting the government’s recent salary increases for the positive shift.
Public school teachers recently received salary increases as part of the government’s ongoing compensation review. The starting salary for qualified teachers in the public school system now stands at $55,000.
There are also unconfirmed reports that some teachers have left private schools in the territory to take up positions in the public school system.
De Castro said she is pleased to see an uptick in applications from qualified educators, as well as from participants in the government’s trainee programme for high school and college graduates.
“I’m happy to say that based on the salary increases for qualified teachers, we’ve seen an increased number of persons applying to become teachers and an increase in those applying to our (trainee) programmes to enter the profession,” de Castro explained on the Virgin Islands Voice programme.
In previous years, education ministers lamented a mass exodus of teachers who left the territory in search of higher salaries abroad. With the new, more competitive salaries now offered in the BVI, de Castro said retention rates are showing positive trends. In fact, she stated that educator salaries in the territory are now among the best in the region.
With these improvements, the minister issued a call for BVIslanders at home and abroad to consider joining the education sector.
“I’m beckoning Virgin Islanders in the diaspora — many of you are effecting change in education and I want you to consider home and contribute. You can do it for a set time through a contract or you can come and fully engage and return home,” de Castro stated.
In the meantime, the Education Minister recently directed the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College to increase faculty salaries in line with adjustments made at the primary and secondary school levels.
“This year we increased the base salaries at the College by 35 per cent and this is very much in line with the qualifications that are required. For the first time in the Virgin Islands, teachers from primary to tertiary have received their due increases and now teaching is indeed an interesting profession to be a part of,” de Castro said proudly.
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This is false. In fact, a lot of teachers are leaving the education system. Grown professionals have no time to waste with a minister who is childish, vindictive and who has no plan for education. Even the people who work in the ministry running from in there.
If I can like your comment 1 million times! The childish and vindictive behaviour is real. I know of which I speak. All I can say is that our education system is in deep trouble if this type of ministerial leadership is not rejected. It’s time to end this madness. Some of us are seasoned educators who have contributed much to our territory and want the best for its future. This is no time for fun and games. In my opinion we are seemingly moving full ‘steam’ backwards! Who is going to stop this runaway freight train?
IF one sweet TARK don’t WUK try another ONE child WE already seen behind YOUR mask and there’s nothing THERE that you are TRYING to accomplish •
We just keep electing the people whose only interest is financial enrichment.
We keep electing hoping to get results from them that never come.
There needs to be imlemented a system of recall after a one or two year trial as a legislator or and Minister.
Enough is enough man! How much furrther back are the concerned eople and voters are going to allow this country to go backwards on the reef of treachery, misappropriation into despair and devaluation?
True. In the meanwhile, there are options. 1) Protest. 2) Lobby behind your leaders to support the no confidence vote or else they not getting voted back in.
Are they coming for the salary or to teach? Are we really doing background check?
IS YALL KEEP VOTING THEM IN IT HAD A MARCH A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WHO SHOWED UP STOP COMPLAINING AND TAKE WHAT YOU VOTED FOR SET A SHEEP
For sure, let the ones that spoke negative about the protest and was telling others not to waste their time, continue to suck salt.As a listener of Tola Radio, don’t call the man radio station complaining S about you don’t have water to properly clean your behinds and the ya ya ya. You had a chance to air your grievances at the protest that day. You act and play stupid, you get back dumb results.
Transparency! Let the People see the results of your statement. Otherwise go join fitness club cause you’re talking piss to the wrong people.
This administration is doing a wonderful job to drastically improve the quality of life for all. This includes teachers. Teachers are now breaking their necks to be in our public school system.
There are reports coming in that the majority of teachers are very happy with the performance of this government.
VIP will win the next elections. Lorna, Fraser, Ronnie and Marlon done tell yall so!
They are attracting overseas teachers who are coming for the salary, allowances and gratuity. However, the local teachers are planning to hop out after 25 years because of the nonsense by her and the bully CEO.They have no empathy and only care about what’s best for them, family and friends.
Thank God for the bully CEO
@Tell us
What’s new?
Same ole shyte, different time, generation and teachers.
Problems do not fix themselves, neither do inept or self serving opportunistic individuals.
To reap change, the system must be abolished, rebuilt and transformed from ground up.
Coasting along with the same old dilapidated, outdated systems and systemic practices will continue to yeild only complaints, but no progress.
Many moons ago, there was an intellectual and practical attempt in that direction, but regional prejudices derailed those efforts.
YOU SOUND LIKE YHE WIGGED ONE / USUNG A DIFFERENT NAME AGAIN / HEY WIGO WHILE YOU FLEXING OFF YOUR FLAPS / WHY DON’T YOU HOLLER OUT SOMETHING CONSTRUCTIVE ON THE CIVIL SERVICE SALARY INCREMENTS ~ ETC OR LACK THERE OF / AND GETTING SOMEBODY WHO CAN HANDLE THE EDUCATION SYSTEM , YA’AL ALL DONE GOT YA’AL EDUCATION AND IT SEEM LIKE YA’AL DON’T CARE IF THE YOUTHS LEARN OR NOT / BECAUSE IF THEY ARE ILLITERATE / YA’AL CAN HAVE THEM LIKE PUPPETS ■ NO WONDER YHEY ARE CHOOSING TO HO AFTER THE QUICK & EASY DRUG DOLLARS BECAUSE THEY WON’T NEED AN EDUCATION FOR THAT (EVEN THOUGH ITS LIVE FAST AND DIE YOUNG / WITH ALL THE COCAINE IN THEIR HEADS THEY DON’T SEEM TO CARE / JUST LIKE YA’AL DON’T CARE TOO SH*T ABOUT WHO AND HOW MANY OF THEM GETS RIDDLED WITH BULLETS ( ITS THE SAME CHORUS ” MY CONDOLENCES & RIP TO THE FAMILIES ” THEN ITS BACK TO BUSINESS AS USUAL AS IF ITS THE NEW NORM • OR IT NEVER HAPPENED •
I’m beckoning Virgin Islanders in the diaspora — many of you are effecting change in education and I want you to consider home and contribute. You can do it for a set time through a contract or you can come and fully engage and return home,” de Castro stated.
that will tell you, she is pleading and hoping check how much position was advertised and you all will see what is what. aint just about the money, they think cause they paying 2 dollars more that they can treat people how they want!
Sex offender list when?
Until that list out y’all not serious about those kids
Keep pushing Hon. DeCastro, stay above the noise, your work speaks for itself. Good job!
Only in the BVI you can be hired as a Principal or Assistant without a Masters Degree. What kind of nonsense is this, a Principal without the proper credentials, a lack of education and you wonder why these students run wild in the our school systems. A principal with no Masters Degree, teachers with only an Associate Degree or none at all. Make it make sense.