Students barred from classes at HLSCC

A number of students were reportedly barred from classes during their first day back at H Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) yesterday.

HLSCC officially reopened for the first time since the hurricanes, which significantly disrupted regular operations at the educational facility.

Minister of Education Myron Walwyn said he received a number of complaints since the reopening.

“I got some things in relation to persons who would have signed up for certain classes and not being allowed to be in the class because it was done on a first come, first serve basis,” said Walwyn.

He said students also complained about joining long lines to register for classes. “They were actually manually signing up for classes which is something different from what they are accustomed to,” he explained.

Walwyn however said he will be meeting with the school’s president and board chairman in the coming days to address the issues.

The minister, in the meantime, said challenges should be expected given the territory’s post-hurricane conditions.

“Things couldn’t work a 100 percent now. But what I want to concentrate on right now is certainly the commitment of the lecturers and the teachers to get school open,” added Walwyn who said he has made a note of all the issues, so far.

“I have full confidence in the staff and faculty at the HLSCC. Just like I am making notes, I’m sure the president and her team are doing the same thing and we’ll just compare to see how we can improve things.”

“When they (students) were complaining about how long it was taking for them to be in line, I said to them ‘at least you have a story to tell your children’ because life now is a little different from how it was before. But we have to exercise some patience.”