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VI Gov't seeking to assist students lacking technology during lockdown

- Hon Natalio D. Wheatley says Education Ministry prepared to keep schools closed if necessary
The Government of the Virgin Islands is seeking to assist students who have no access to technology and digital learning platforms during the COVID-19 lockdown. Photo: Google
Enis Adams Primary School in Meyers Estate, Tortola. All schools in the VI closed from Thursday, March 19, 2020, for 14 days, in the first instance and the Virgin Islands went into its first 6-day COVID-19 lockdown started on Friday, March 27, 2020. Photo: VINO/File
Enis Adams Primary School in Meyers Estate, Tortola. All schools in the VI closed from Thursday, March 19, 2020, for 14 days, in the first instance and the Virgin Islands went into its first 6-day COVID-19 lockdown started on Friday, March 27, 2020. Photo: VINO/File
Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr. the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) says that the government is considering closing schools for longer, should the COVID-19 lockdown continue beyond the April 19, 2020, deadline. Photo: VINO/File
Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr. the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) says that the government is considering closing schools for longer, should the COVID-19 lockdown continue beyond the April 19, 2020, deadline. Photo: VINO/File
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI - Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr The Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) says Government is prepared to close schools for a while longer, should the COVID-19 lockdown go beyond April 19, 2020.

The Minister was at the time speaking on the Tuesday, April 7, 2020, edition of "Honestly Speaking' with host Claude O. Skelton-Cline.

Schools could remain closed 

"We are preparing that if schools do not reopen, and the lockdown period has to continue, which nobody really wants that... certainly, we have to be prepared for that depending on what happens in these 14 days," Hon Wheatley said.

He noted that the extended curfew coincided with school closure for Easter break but if more time is required, schools have to remain closed.

All schools in the VI closed from Thursday, March 19, 2020, for 14 days, in the first instance; however, the Virgin Islands went into its first 6-day COVID-19 complete lockdown from Friday, March 27, 2020 to Thursday, April 7, 2020, after which an extended curfew was implemented until April 16, 2020 and is expected to be extended to April 19, 2020.

Digital initiatives

Even before schools closed for the Easter break, students at public schools have been learning via google classroom.

Private schools have been utilising various digital means, including Google Classroom, Zoom, Youtube, Whatsapp and even direct calls to get their sessions with students done.

The Minister said; however, that students who don't have access to technology remain a concern and that Government is working to address the issue.

"The Ministry put together a survey so that we can pinpoint the number of persons who don't have access so that we can try to see what we can do to facilitate them."

Dr Wheatley announced that Unite BVI has agreed to provide 132 Chromebooks for public school students in senior grades; however, he noted that the full data on how many computers are needed is still being gathered.

The Minister also revealed that two of the local telecom providers, Flow and Digicel, have agreed to provide zero-rated data access to a number of educational websites to be announced.

Flow will also offer discounted plans and its Flow Study will be available for three months for free and Digicel will also be providing laptops to selected schools; however, he said the details are being ironed out.

10 Responses to “VI Gov't seeking to assist students lacking technology during lockdown”

  • Peaches (09/04/2020, 17:16) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    This virus will change the way we lived. Everything will change. Good going Hon. Wheatley.
    • ReX FeRal (10/04/2020, 09:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Really!!!.. good will hunting. Irma and Maria did t and we have seen some unsavory behavior and attitudes during this so called lock down.
  • Well Sah (09/04/2020, 17:39) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    ONLY NOW???????????????
  • Really (09/04/2020, 17:58) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Seems like we are about to follow the same model USVI is instituting by spending 14million dollars that we do not have. The Education Department should already be aware of which students do not have access to the internet...why are we now just doing this? Further, if teachers report to the classroom, and students stay out, then work can be distributed or collected and graded virtually for children who do not have access. cases in point, YEP is doing an excellent job at the moment engaging children in different activities. The government should not have to invest in computer devices to make this work, each parent should have a phone with WhatsApp access or even children with WhatsApp access and send the information through that medium. spending millions of dollars on devices, yet again, (previous purchase of Chromebook devices) didn't fear too well. We also have to look long term and not use monies with out a proper plan in place. Please look at best practices collectively and not just invest monies in computers or laptops, be innovative
    • agreed (09/04/2020, 18:35) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
      I agree. Computers are not really needed. Teachers can send work and notes via WhatsApp which students can returned using pictures or even typing out answers. Testing can be reduce and projects can be increased for more honest academic work.
  • Please. (09/04/2020, 18:25) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    We cant take no more lockdown.. please... The way he talk seems like he know more lock down coming.... We need to work to feed our families... These teachers salaries sure as long as lock down last.... OMG. Lord have mercy...
    • Not all. (09/04/2020, 20:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Not all teachers salaries are sure. Some private schools need to be open for some teachers to be paid.
  • Rick (09/04/2020, 19:13) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    You all better get things in order it's been hard enough as a big man home on lockdown for 2 weeks can't go longer than that. Money gonna get low and it's just about driving us mad
  • Black Hair (09/04/2020, 21:12) Like (0) Dislike (6) Reply
    remember wicked funny man killed the computer school programme started by Hon Andrew now if we had those power school up and running we would have been in thing.

    Thank God for the 2019 elections the education system is now going from Weak to Great
  • z6ne (10/04/2020, 10:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We have been locked down going on 12 days or more which just abou the incubation period for this supposed covid~19 virus..unless our government is not transparent with us or their following guidelines other places this further extension will cause alot of frustration.


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