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Controversial Grade 12: Some students were ‘held back’- Dr Wheatley

- said beginning September 2020, ‘qualified’ students can choose to skip additional year
According to Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr The Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), right, there were students in the system who benefitted from the additional year as well as students who were being held back by the additional year. The additional school year forced upon students of public secondary schools in 2015 by the controversial former Minister for Education under the then National Democratic Party (NDP), Mr Myron V. Walwyn, left. Photo: VINO/File
Beginning in September 2020, Grade 10 students who have qualified based on their strong academic performance, will be given the opportunity to graduate in 2 years instead of 3. Photo: VINO/File
Beginning in September 2020, Grade 10 students who have qualified based on their strong academic performance, will be given the opportunity to graduate in 2 years instead of 3. Photo: VINO/File
According to Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr The Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), there is no statistical data that supports any conclusion that the additional year of school improved performance at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC). Photo: VINO
According to Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr The Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), there is no statistical data that supports any conclusion that the additional year of school improved performance at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC). Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The additional school year forced upon students of public secondary schools in 2015 by the controversial former Minister for Education under the then National Democratic Party (NDP), Mr Myron V. Walwyn, was found to have held back students and will no longer be mandatory for everyone.

This was announced by Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr The Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) at the Fifth Sitting of the Second Session of the Fourth House of Assembly on Thursday, October 20, 2020.

Students were held back

When the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government took office in February 2019, it proceeded to hold public meetings, led by Dr Wheatley, to examine the additional year of instruction with the intention of deciding whether it should continue. 

“Mr Speaker, I held public meetings, which yielded useful feedback on the topic. I was able to confirm that, indeed, there were students in the system who benefitted from the additional year as well as students who were being held back by the additional year.”

Dr Wheatley added that following those public meetings, it was recommended that he supplement the qualitative data derived from those public meetings with quantitative data derived from a scientific study.

The H. Lavity Stoutt’s Planning department was then commissioned to compare the performance of HLSCC students from the public secondary schools with the additional year with HLSCC students from private schools without the additional year. They also were to compare the performance of students before and after the introduction of the additional year.

Students who had an additional year first attended HLSCC in 2017.

Students were no better prepared for college level, study finds

Describing the results enlightening, Dr Wheatley said firstly, St Georges Secondary School had a higher success rate, which is the percentage of students with a C or better, than Elmore Stoutt and Bregado Flax in 2017, and BVI Seventh-day Adventist School had a higher success rate than Elmore Stoutt and Bregado Flax in 2018.

Both Bregado Flax and Elmore Stoutt had higher success rates in 2013 than in 2017 and 2018.

“In examining the distribution of grades between 2013 and 2018, there is no statistical data that supports any conclusion that the additional year of school improved performance at HLSCC. In fact, in some instances, the private schools, which did not implement an additional year, had a greater percentage of A’s and B’s on the college level or had results which were similar to that of their peers from public secondary schools. 

“This is also reflected in the CSEC results. Therefore, I must conclude that research does not support the assertion that the additional year was a major factor in the preparation of these students for tertiary study.”

Quality teaching & other factors can make the difference

Dr Wheatley continued that what he can say with more certainty is that the performance of students is more closely aligned with the quality of their teaching, how well their style of learning is accommodated in the school system, the quality of their academic support at home, their socio-economic status, their discipline and willingness to learn, their foundation in early childhood education, the existence of a learning disability, among other factors. 

“Mr Speaker, we would be much better served in putting resources towards the areas that research has confirmed has an impact on students’ academic outcomes.”

Grade 12 no longer mandatory

Dr Wheatley; however, noted it is also important that no student feels rushed or pressured into finishing school before the appropriate time and that students who need additional time to prepare for exams and complete course work should not be robbed of this additional year.

“Therefore, a solution that benefits the individualised needs of the student population is necessary.”

According to Dr Wheatley, beginning in September 2020, “I am mandating that grade 10 students, who have qualified based on their strong academic performance, be given the opportunity to graduate in 2 years instead of 3.”

The Education Minister said once obtaining a grade of B+ and above, students can choose an accelerated track, which would still require them to complete the same graduation requirements, including credit requirements, examination passes, and community service hours in 2 years instead of 3.

“In exceptional circumstances, students can qualify based on the recommendation of the principal of the institution. Those who fall below the required GPA will finish in the 3 years that is presently required based on the present graduation requirements. This initiative will be reviewed in July 2021.”

Criticisms of Grade 12

The introduction of Grade 12 by the then National Democratic Party (NDP) administration had received much criticism from various stakeholders, including parents and teachers.

Former Principal of ESHS Mrs Sandy M. Underhill had even admitted that students felt they were being targeted as guinea pigs. “It has been a long six years and what a year it was. A year of immense change that made you feel like you were being targeted as guinea pigs to be taken to the slaughter….Mrs Underhill had stated on June 22, 2017, during the graduation ceremony for the first batch of grade 12 students.

Mr Walwyn was criticised for making what persons considered an unnecessary change and that it was done hastily, including that there were not enough teachers for the extra year and lack of facility to house the students, who had to temporarily occupy a space at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) before the September 2017 hurricanes.

20 Responses to “Controversial Grade 12: Some students were ‘held back’- Dr Wheatley”

  • 411 (24/02/2020, 08:40) Like (13) Dislike (6) Reply
    And there we have it. Real sensible leadership and sensible change. The system was never broken in the first place but a whole lot of senseless 'fixing' just to show oneself, was trying to be done. Of course there's always room for improvement, but this was certainly not an improved. Thank you minister Wheatley. Academics, teaching style and learning style will never be the same for each student. That's what I feel should be targeted if anything and we go from there, rather than having one big 'Non working, non necessary' choice, made by one and forced on all, making everyone 'suffer'. Again, Thank You.
  • Seriously (24/02/2020, 09:17) Like (12) Dislike (17) Reply
    why are you guys playing politics with our children. If someone else has put in the extra year beside MW would it still be in place?
  • pat (24/02/2020, 09:18) Like (6) Dislike (27) Reply
    Clap clap good thing we got rid of my run and he crap I hope the territorial song and other things are next
    • @pat (24/02/2020, 14:39) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
      You are a big part of the problem not the solution. CLAP, CLAP. What does the Territorial song have to do with anything you low IQ reject. CLAP,CLAP. Now go marinate in the low IQ sweet and sour sauce PAT.
  • Difference (24/02/2020, 09:23) Like (28) Dislike (9) Reply
    Night and day between these ministers. Walwyn has the edge by a landslide
    • Difference (24/02/2020, 11:00) Like (14) Dislike (7) Reply
      One is corrupt and like boys tell me which one?
      • talk that! (24/02/2020, 16:50) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
        one is also chasing all the ladies in the complex
        • wow (25/02/2020, 07:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          Why every time they post bout the Honorable ayo come talking bout he chasing women. How do you expeCT HIS WOMAN TO feel if she reads these crap?

      • Kitchen Table focus Group (24/02/2020, 16:51) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
        @Diffrence, is that warranted? Is that any of your business? Can you prove what you are saying? We the group believe that Myron will make his come back and we the group of 15 and growing will be there to support him when he decide to make his come back. Just remember, everything takes time and proper planning.
  • tretretrete (24/02/2020, 09:35) Like (6) Dislike (16) Reply
    Thank you dr w. Finally someone in the ministry that knows about education
  • Legal tender (24/02/2020, 10:50) Like (13) Dislike (4) Reply
    Very Good move Hon. Wheatley. The students themselves felt like guinea pigs with this extra burden when their graduation was push back an extra year. Hurry bird don’t build good next and that former minister was like a hurry bird, it was always his way or no way at all. I totally agree, let those who needed the extra year, utilize it.
  • one eye (24/02/2020, 12:17) Like (6) Dislike (6) Reply
    THE BEST THING THIS GOVERMNT DID SINCE TAKING OFFICE
  • Hmm (24/02/2020, 14:18) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    The issue is not at the High School level. The issue is the BVI needs to look into a Middle School. Majority of our children are not mature to for the High School level, which causes them to develop before time. There is more to a school setting besides academics. We have to also look at the child mental and social well being.
    Middles Schools are design prepare children for the next level of their life.
  • ausar (24/02/2020, 14:33) Like (4) Dislike (6) Reply
    congratulations Dr Wheatley this wise decision was long over due. MVW was about his own ambitions and not the students need
  • Socrates (24/02/2020, 16:03) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    1.Is the VIP/MEC waffling on the extra year with this non decision?
    2. Does the Premier need to publicly weigh in on this extra school year?
    3. Is the current practice in the Caribbean and else where that any thing that the incumbent government does is good and anything that the former government or opposition does is bad even if it is good a good governing practice?
    4. Does the VI need a referendum for voter approval on national planning, including education?
    5. Is 16 too young to be graduating from high school or secondary school?
    6. Will the extra year better prepare students for further study or the world of work?
    7. Has enough time elapsed and enough data available to make an informed decision on the extra year?
    8. What was the level of confidence in the data, ie, 80%, 90%, 95%?
    9. How long (minimum) do students in top education performing countries, ie, Canada, Singapore, Japan, Finland, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan……etc spend in high school?
    10. Are there more urgent and important education issues than this extra year decision/focus?
    11. Was this decision/non-decision rushed?
    12. Was this decision political and a resume builder?
    13. Would it serve the territory well if fifth form was split into A. and B? A for the gifted and B for others.
    14. Is the MEC, Youth Affairs, Sports, Agriculture and Fisheries setting the Territory on fire?
    15. Is this ministry too big to be effective? Does not a business that offer a myriad of services typically does non well? Does a jack of all trades does anything well?
    16. Should not Agriculture, Fisheries, Environment and Natural Resources be lumped together?
    17. Should an independent third party entity be hired to evaluate and determine if the extra year is a waste of time or it adds value to national education security?

  • ndp (24/02/2020, 17:09) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    FORWARDS NEVER BACKWARDS FOREVER is the new vip slogan.
  • Employer (24/02/2020, 19:53) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    In general, the education of the children is evidently lacking. This is evident in the neceesity for many of them to attend a Community College in order to be accepted into a 4 year college. HS Graduate are accepted mostly into mediocre colleges. I have yet to meet an Ivy League graduate and very few from top schools.Candidates for jobs are woefully inadequate in their writing , comprehension ,problem solving, and presentation. Not all, but for the most part HS graduates are just not ready for graduation and being competitive for jobs, They are basically clueless in basic skills in the world of employment.This has been my experience in doing my darndest to hire locals.
    • @employer (25/02/2020, 22:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Its a struggle in the classroom to simply get students to speak properly. They seem to think that island dialect is an acceptable form of communication for everything. They do not understand that how they speak affects their writing, reading & comprehension, spelling, grammar, their ability to conduct a conversation and other things. And their parents don't help much either. Some of them speak way worst than the children. If it were not for spell check some kids would not be able to write a simple sentence.
  • voiceofthevoiceless (24/02/2020, 22:05) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Always believed that the extra year was not necessary. We need to focus on quality not quantity so here are some suggestions:

    (1) Another high school be built to take the burden off the current one. I hear someone saying Middle school and High school but that does not address the issue of overpopulation. Why some private schools do better than public is because their classes are smaller leading to more focus on individual students.

    2 Build a new trade school as the campus in Baughers bay may be too small if we are really serious about teaching trades. Finance it properly with more options and more resources for training. De-stigmatize trade jobs with proper education at the numerous possibilities that lie once you acquire a trade. We have so much land giving away to plant Marijuana how about building more schools?

    Dr. Wheatley's revised policy is a bit confusing as he did not remove the mandatory extra year together only for students who pass with a B+ or higher but those who fail that grade have to do an extra year? Is that not called repeating? So why the need for an extra year just for non passers? Just do away with it altogether and let them repeat the grade.
  • 1 (24/02/2020, 23:23) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Good job dr Showda


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