Fifteen students graduated from the institution in June 2011. Photo: VINO

In this file photograph several items made by the students are on display. Photo: VINO

“I want to make it unequivocally clear…it will be an institution with the same bearings as Elmore Stoutt High School, St. Georges Secondary School or CEDAR School,” the Minister announced.

Cognizant of the fact that the plan will not happen overnight, Hon. Walwyn admitted that there is a lot of work to be done to prepare the campus for changes physically and administratively.

“Some of which I have personally undertaken and will continue to do, to realize the success of this initiative. When I talk about the young men on the block and the students that are on the outside of the school gate wanting opportunities, a properly structured technical programme provides them an opportunity to gain the necessary skills to make their contribution to our society,” he explained.

For years, the Minister added, students who were unable to adapt to a particular learning style have been stigmatized as slow learners and sent into vocational programmes. He further stated that such an action has committed two ills in the society.

“It has firstly allowed the Virgin Islands to be slow to the table of new thought and understanding of different learning styles. Because of this, many of our young people are struggling in school and ultimately end up without a secondary school diploma because we were unable to recognize their need and adjust teaching methods.

“In January during a visit to the Hertfordshire County School Council, Dr Potter (D. Marcia Potter, Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education) and I had the opportunity to visit a school that had an interesting way to manage students with learning and behavioural challenges. Those students were extracted from their regular classes and given special assistance and after a period of time, they were successfully reintroduced to the mainstream academic programme. I know we have well trained education officers right here in this Ministry that can develop a similar plan to help us address our issues, and I challenge you all to consider our present situation and put a proposal on my desk for implementation for the 2012-2013 school year,” he added.

The Minister, who has been a strong advocate for youth development, firmly stated that as the VI remains “so young” , opportunities in technical and vocational fields will allow “our citizens to become gainfully employed, entrepreneurs and ultimately economically and socially empowered as we literally build our nation”.

“Most skilled workers in the Territory must be brought in and it has been so for many years. This, however, is a missed opportunity for our young men and women, simply because we have not prepared them to capitalize on this opportunity.”