Fewer than 70 students enrolled at VI’s Tech School
The Virgin Islands School of Technical Studies is grappling with significantly low student enrolment, with fewer than 70 students currently enrolled, officials have told the Standing Finance Committee (SFC).
This issue was raised during the SFC’s meeting late last year, where acting Chief Education Officer (CEO) of the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Orlandette Crabbe, addressed ongoing challenges faced by the institution.
The school, which offers technical and vocational education, has struggled to attract students due to a stigma surrounding technical education.
Education Minister Sharie deCastro said there were significant challenges in the system surrounding technical education, and students have not shown interest in the field due to the stigma attached to technical education. The minister said her ministry is working to have discussions, workshops, and interactions to dispel the connotation around technical education and help students bridge the gap between career paths. She is currently investing in apprenticeship programmes.
Sixth District Representative Myron Walwyn questioned whether the school should be closed and whether the money would be used to relocate the campus from its current location. deCastro disagreed and indicated that the ministry is seeking to build a government-owned building for the school.
Meanwhile, Crabbe told the SFC that the school had also been impacted by low pass rates and dwindling participation numbers, with many students opting to return to traditional secondary schools. She noted that a review of the school’s effectiveness had been conducted due to low performance, dwindling participation numbers, and a very low pass rate. Concerns were raised regarding the low performance in both CSEC subjects and other areas. Adjustments were reportedly made for the current school year to enhance the school’s performance.
Despite these challenges, the ministry is working towards ensuring the school remains operational and has no immediate plans to close it, officials were told. The ministry earmarked $500,000 towards the design phase for a new campus for the school.
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In the 1950’s, going to art school was not an option for a fifteen year old eleven-plus failure in the impoverished North of England. Instead, I had to serve a seven year engineering apprenticeship.
In retrospect, my lifetime’s work as a painter and sculptor has benefitted from those years at the workbench. Michelangelo was as much an inventive engineer as he was an artist. Creativity is common to both.
My video “Realising Your Creative Potential” is relevant for BVI students considering their career options. https://youtu.be/5K7MM16Kc_E
Medium sized oblong concrete box again , done & agreed pocket $499,995 profit.
But yet we are forcing companies to employ people simply because they’re local. No push for our young people to take up technical and vocational careers, we fail them terribly then throw them into the workforce where they’re unable to function. I guess this is Government’s fault as well?
Sharie is only obsessed with STEM and appearances, nothing else. The Tech/Voc aspect of education takes real hard work and we all know she is not up to the task, hence the results. Hon. Walwyn did such a great job getting this institution in place and now look at it.
I personally think it’s a great school. Maybe they should offer more of the technical courses at the school.
Seamstress/Tailor
Plumbing
Architecture
Electrical
Construction
Marine Mechanical Engineering
Basics of being a boat captain
Woodwork/Carpentry
Pottery
The Cosmetology, Culinary and auto mechanics programs are really great programs but not everyone will be interested in doing just those programs. Build a building strictly for technical subjects and watch our youths soar into their destinies.
Not everyone would like to be lawyers, doctors and accountants. some people have been blessed with natural talent and they just need an avenue to be able to nurture that talent into something great.
Real life field trip examples about what the end results of these careers can lead to . Many of the business leaders in the Territory started with these vocational trades , Clarence Thomas – plumbing – now look at he business he has built and his Sons has carried on, Sorrentino a mechanic and now internatioal motors- Alphonso – came to work as a mechanic for Sorrentino and built his own business , Construction – many successful businesses – bring the fields/vocations to life and inject some excitement. Speedy and Smiths great example of going from Boat Captains to sucessful businesses.. and I could go on.
These people started with firstly with personal ambition and drive grated from instilled work ethic.
Please add the basic programme of office assistant for the females to include receptionist duties to include customer service, etiquette, filing; basic bookkeeping skills to include purchasing, and practicals on quickbooks for 3 months or 1 term. Of course, apprenticeship in the workplace would be helpful.
Sharie was travelling the world and in every photo, now she gone MIA (Missing in Action)! As they say she obsessed with STEM and refuse to hear anything else. Stop watching other people success and trying to implement in here.
Sit and analyze our needs and culture and craft learning resources to cater to it. We don’t no damn robotics class!
Please bring in persons who went through the same VISTS program to give motivational speeches about their own successes due to enrollment and the obstacles overcame to reach those successes in the workplace and in their lives.
Do not re-join this programme back to the grounds of the Elmore Stoutt High School. This technical programme must stay separate! It is worthwhile!
About 30% of belongers work (if you can call it that) for the government. Comfy jobs with a/c that doesn’t require much for $ 2K/month. Why should anyone learn a vocation that will be hot and sweaty, and which will require you to actually be productive seems to be the mentality.
Couple of Belonger contrators of my acquaintance have scoffed when I have suggested they hire local youngsters as apprentices when lamenting the absent of workers. Their answer is they want the cheque without the work.