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Zero tolerance: Disciplinary action to be taken against ‘student fighters’

File photo of Walwyn addressing students.

Recent reports and video footage of students engaged in physical fights have caught the attention of Education Minister Myron Walwyn who has promised to take action against the student perpetrators.

“These incidents will be thoroughly investigated, and the appropriate disciplinary actions will be applied,” Walwyn said.

In a statement issued on Monday, the education minister expressed a zero tolerance for students found to be involved in ‘physically violent behaviour’, especially in public places.

He said this type of behaviour from schoolgoers can have what he described as “severe consequences”.

“The Education Act 2004 part two Division 19 (1) states every student is accountable to the principal for his general deportment and conduct at any time that he is under the supervision of the school and members of the teaching staff, including the time spent in travelling between the school and his place of residence,” Walwyn noted.

He further reminded parents that they, too, play a ‘vital role’ in how their children behave.

“We need you to support our efforts as we seek to create a Virgin Islands that we can all be proud of,” Walwyn said in a message directed to parents.

“The future of our students should not be jeopardized because of such unnecessary and unacceptable behaviour and I implore us all to do our part to ensure that we create positive contributing citizens of the world. Let us as a community once again begin to raise all our children and be an active part of their development.”

Below is the education minister’s full statement on student fights and indiscipline.

Very recently, there have been reports and video images being circulated that show students engaging in physically violent behavior in public spaces after school hours. As Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs and Sports, I do not tolerate or condone any form of violence or aggression by our students.

The Education Act 2004 part two Division 19.(1) states Every student is accountable – (b) to the principal for his general deportment and conduct at any time that he is under the supervision of the school and members of the teaching staff, including the time spent in traveling between the school and his place of residence.

The Ministry of Education and Culture continues to make every effort to create a culture of excellence within the education system of the Virgin Islands and acts such as those displayed by our students go against the attempts that we are trying to make. Our students are being prepared to live in a world where such negative behaviour will not be tolerated and can have severe consequences.

Recognising this, it is important to note that these incidents will be thoroughly investigated, and the appropriate disciplinary actions will be applied. Our theme for this academic year, “Be Disciplined: Achieve Excellence” emphasizes the integral role that discipline plays in our students ultimately leading successful lives.

The Ministry of Education will continue our attempts to provide our students with positive behavioural management techniques through initiatives like our Core Values programme that was implemented at the beginning of this academic year.

This initiative places an emphasis on values such as respect, compassion, integrity and honesty being instilled in our students so that positive behaviour could return to our classrooms, schools and community at large.

These attempts to make a positive difference in the lives of our students cannot be done in isolation as we also need parents to do their part at home. Many of the ill behaviours that we see in the education system are a result of parents turning a blind eye to their child’s negative behaviour and very often leaving our young people to raise themselves.

Parents, you remain a vital component to the positive development of our students and we need you to support our efforts as we seek to create a Virgin Islands that we can all be proud of. The future of our students should not be jeopardized because of such unnecessary and unacceptable behaviour and I implore us all to do our part to ensure that we create positive contributing citizens of the world. Let us as a community once again begin to raise all our children and be an active part of their development.

 

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23 Comments

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  1. Anegada says:

    Mr not so Honourable let me get this straight
    You about to get hard on students who between school and residence fighting but gonna ignore instances whereby teachers and principal have been neglectful, abusive, absent, delinquent and the saga / drama continues and you
    Playing like this ain’t so? Not trying to negate the facts that
    Students acting delinquent on and off campus is a big
    Problem because it is. In fact instead of always
    Blaming parents like you and that former Anegada
    Principal from Tortola did I think you all need to
    Admit your own fault, your part; where is the
    Examples? Role models ? Youth for —-? Oh wait
    Half of that group need some positive mentoring too

    Like 21
    Dislike 22
    • Sister islands, aunts and uncles says:

      We agree
      This guy need to stop

      Like 9
      Dislike 5
    • VI gyal says:

      what happen to the not so present and loving parents? Many of them let their children roam as though they are the one in charge of themselves. look at the way many of them dress. Look many of them cannot even write a simple letter or read. teachers, the ministry cannot correct a parents continuous wrong and neglect.

      Like 10
      Dislike 5
  2. HA! says:

    Says the same one who has made it more difficult to deal with such students.

    Like 15
    Dislike 1
  3. Guy Hill says:

    Heard this talk before. Not only from Mr. Walwyn but from others in the community and the politicians. Action needs to be taken when it is warranted. One cannot have selective enforcement of this initiative.

    Like 18
  4. VICKIE says:

    Parents and teachers have to sit example for children. The conduct on face book of a teacher will make you sick in your stomach.
    If parents had to pay a price for under age children I am sure some children will be better. Every thing in this place is out of control from the top to the bottom it is a d**m shame and it get like this because of votes. We need zero tolerant in this place and after this election is the perfect time to it since it did not done after the hurricanes. It is not the children fighting the law makers doing the same thing with their voices and children finishing with their hands.

    • hmm says:

      teachers don’t have the rights to discipline children anymore. The parents are responsible for half of these things.
      Whenever teachers complain about their behavior the parents does not take it serious or they might dicuss the information with the child and then they will attend school, laugh about and throw it back in the teachers face.
      Further more half of the parents does not show up for parent meetings.

      Like 7
      Dislike 8
      • Reality says:

        I agree however parents often don’t set a good role model and are lazy not often supporting the school teachers who have a hard job trying to control spoils indisciplined kids – often the parents are just as bad! Not sure most younger politicians are good role models either with their laziness in getting to HOA on time and their constant bickering and complaining like Mitch who disrespected his Premier big time and then went off and joined another party when he didn’t win enough votes….

        Like 5
        Dislike 7
        • Really says:

          Is this blame it on the parents period under this administration? Give me a break! Parents have a vital role yes but what are the roles of teachers again? Since
          You want the parents to teach their children academics
          Manners and more while teachers ( not all but let’s face it great ones are often overlooked by the same set
          Of buffoons who partying with bad teachers and blaming the ills of society on parents all whilst their own children are not
          So high on the list of best behaviours and opposite of model citizens) … well, should teachers teach according to your recipe for success ? Because right now it looks like this is a cop out !! Children do well … they had great teachers. Students behave badly … must be those parents 🙁

          There are many factors that come into play in the pros and cons of life but this attack on parents is pissing me off and every dedicated parent who has also worked hard to bring his or her child up to be a good citizen and high academic achiever. If anything what I would encourage some of you lame duck persons in positions of power to do is to be thankful for the parents who do set a good example, parents who show an interest, parents who follow protocols and report what they see as the wrongs in “your” school system instead of villainizinf those same people.

          Stop fooling the people! If you wanted such great parents to be present and to be actively involved you all wouldn’t do such a superb job of trampling all over those very same individuals !!!!

          Like 7
          Dislike 3
          • Calm down says:

            Teachers are educators but they need parents to step up and be responsible for their own kids instead of laziness in passing the buck all too often! Reality is right you are wrong period! ….

            Like 4
            Dislike 3
          • well says:

            By the time the teacher try to discipline the child it’s time to go home. (school over)

    • hmm says:

      I know a lot of teachers who go out their way to help students and try to discipline them. But with all the rules and regulations the teachers are powerless.

  5. Hello says:

    The school need get fix back so they can be in school all da** day from lurking on the streets doing nothing for hours.

    Like 16
    Dislike 1
  6. Want2Kno says:

    Spare the rod & spoil de Child….

    Like 3
    Dislike 3
  7. Cut em says:

    Cut dem a**. At least they not using pier park bathrooms for …

  8. Cell 5 says:

    dread did not know mvw was still around let alone relevant

    Like 7
    Dislike 8
  9. Brad Boynes says:

    Help is on the way

  10. Excellent says:

    Ask those from SDA about zero tolerance. I don’t know what they were thinking about disrespecting themselves and their school. Immediate disciplinary action was meted out to them today.

  11. Kirk says:

    Now, about that million dollars you spent on that wall and all of our broken schools. Don’t you think the problem with our school system rests with poor administration and poor management? You failed to set an example. The bad behavior that may exist is a reflection of the poor choices that you have made and your lack of priorities.
    We need a leader who is passionate about education.

    Like 14
    Dislike 3
  12. ms says:

    Yes I say Whole them ALL responsible for their bad behavior. Yes grab the Bull by its tail neither child nor adult should be responsible for their actions. if any adult behavior in an lawless manner they should be held responsible and if the youth get out of control let them know that there is a deep price to pay for inappropriate unbecoming behavior against their home land. Yes shame them so that it is understood that the negative behavior called out and brought to pay a price and a proper behavioral standards is a must.
    NEGATIVEINAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR WILL NEVER – NEVER BE ACCEPTED AND WILL THE ISLAND BEFORE IT GETS OUT OF CONTROL NO EXCUSE – NO EXCUSE – NO EXCUSE FOR NEGATIVE BEHAVIOR IN AND OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL.
    ZERO TOLERANCE – ZERO TOLERANCE AND THERE MUST – THERE MUST BE A STANDARD AND PARENTS MUST – MUST ASSIST IN A POSITIVE WAY TO STOMP OUT INAPPROPRIATE BY THE YOUTH OF THE BVI.
    TAKE THAT NEGATIVE ENERGY AND BE OF SERVICE FOR YOUR COMMUNITY – BE OF GOOD SERVICE TO AND FOR YOUR COMMUNITY AND SHINE – SHINE – SHINE. BE A BEACON FOR YOUR COMMUNITY AND HOME LAND.

    Like 2
    Dislike 1
  13. Marilyn says:

    DO WHAT EVER IS NECESSARY TO PUT A STOP TO THIS NEGATIVE AND INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR. WE WILL NEVER ALLOW OUR YOUTH TO SHAME THEMSELVES WHEN IT IS NOT NECESSARY. EVERYONE IS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR OWN ACTIONS. EVERYONE IS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR OWN ACTIONS.

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