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COVID-19: ‘This semester is going to be trying’- Premier warns VI teachers

-Urges educators to share inspiration as they face challenges of coronavirus pandemic in classroom
Virgin Islands Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has urged Educators across the Virgin Islands to continue inspiring each other as they move forward into the new academic school year and take on the challenges of COVID-19 pandemic in the classroom. Photo: VINO/File
Meanwhile, Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr. the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) while declaring the 2021-2022 Academic School Year officially opened, reassured teachers of their important role in society. Photo: VINO/File
Meanwhile, Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr. the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) while declaring the 2021-2022 Academic School Year officially opened, reassured teachers of their important role in society. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Virgin Islands Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has urged Educators across the Virgin Islands to continue inspiring each other as they move forward into the new academic school year and take on the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in the classroom.

The Premier made the statements during the August 23, 2021, Teachers Professional Day event where he also thanked educators for their hard work and commitment to the development of the students as they continue to live, work, teach and learn amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Educators challenged to share inspiration 

According to a release on the event, the Premier challenged the educators to take a day out of every week to inspire each other, given that it is their teaching fraternity and family that will help get them through these times.

“I cannot tell you when things are going to get better, but since we cannot work on what is around us, we can work on what is in us. That is the only thing that will help us in this school year and while [the government] takes care of all the situations that must be fixed, I encourage you to take pride in inspiring your students,” he said.

Hon Fahie added, “Words have power, this semester is going to be so trying that it is only going to be the words and the inspiration of each other and your prayers that will get you through.” 

Meanwhile, Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr. the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), while declaring the 2021-2022 Academic School Year officially opened, reassured teachers of their important role in society.

Pandemic sparked new appreciation for teachers - Dr Wheatley 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has sparked a new appreciation of teachers, particularly among parents, who were suddenly tasked with teaching responsibilities along with working full-time jobs at the same time," Hon Wheatley further said. 

Hon Wheatley told teachers that just as the landscape of education has changed in the Territory, so will the public perception of the importance of educators in VI’s society.

17 Responses to “COVID-19: ‘This semester is going to be trying’- Premier warns VI teachers”

  • asking for a friend (28/08/2021, 17:37) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    I heard the teachers had a meeting what is the follow up?
  • Trying (28/08/2021, 18:01) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    What is this administration committing to, to make the lives of teachers better and please note Mr Premier this better upkeep of schools, adequate resources for teachers and better pay and respect for teachers? Teachers are not happy and they are tired of the talk talk stories. They want action. Ask Ellie.
  • I want to know to (28/08/2021, 18:05) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    I listened to that meeting (premier and teachers) last Sunday from beginning to end and I can’t say that I heard the premier commit to doing one of the five requests teachers had and when they should expect any to be fulfilled. Not looking good
  • one eye (28/08/2021, 19:03) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Thing to talk
  • All teachers (28/08/2021, 20:52) Like (20) Dislike (2) Reply
    All teachers need to stay home until their demands are met. No online nor face to face classes. The government does not value their human resource, neither do they respect the needs of those that sacrifice daily to educate and mold the minds of the youth of this territory. All the influential leaders in the ministry of education, the minister himself, and the premier were once teachers. But apparently, after being promoted, they have conveniently forgotten the struggles of being a teacher. They have become insensitive exploiters and the time for that needs to end immediately!
  • ZE BOZZ (28/08/2021, 22:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    WHEN I TALK ,NO DARM DOG BARK / AND I HAVE I HAVE SPOKEN
  • Bunk (28/08/2021, 22:39) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    I hope the teachers salary will be adjusted to compensate for this trying semester. Don't say we don't have the money either. If we can afford to pay Silk Legal 3 million and 1 million for political advisors, we should be able to pay the people that mould the future generations of the VI.
  • Remember (28/08/2021, 22:58) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    The government must remember that a teachers moldy working environment is our children moldy learning environment.
    • hmmm (29/08/2021, 15:56) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      They keeping hiring the same company to clean mold....getting same results...... Those gus dont have a clue......
  • we and them (28/08/2021, 23:14) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    NOBODY WANT TO WORK FOR THIS GOVERNMENT
  • Dancing in the sunshine (28/08/2021, 23:24) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    For the love of our children and the country I want to urge the teachers to return to the class room and teach our children. COVID-19 is here to stay and we must not be afraid of it. All we need to do is to ensure that the teachers take the necessary precaution and help to educate our children. Failure to return to the class room will result in many of our children dropping our of school and the parents as well as the country will have a serious problem with illiteracy and non functional individuals.
  • A VOTER IN #6 (29/08/2021, 07:20) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    IT SEEMS THAT YOU DON'T HAVE ANY PICKNEY SO YOU CAN TALK WHAT YOU WANT. THE STUDENTS NEED TO BACK IN THEIR CLASSROOM FACE TO FACE. THEY HARDLY LEARNING WHEN THEY ARE IN SCHOOL MUCH LESS WHEN THEY ARE AT HOME ON THE COMPUTER BY THEMSELVES.
    • @Voter in #6 (29/08/2021, 10:41) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Obviously you do not have any children or you do not care about them otherwise you would not want your children to go to school in a moldy building or get sick from COVID. It seems like our children and teachers are being given up as sacrifice. I do not believe in conspiracy theories but this one look fishy.
  • Words of flattery do not fill the void of underpaid teachers and other civil servants. (29/08/2021, 10:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Do they in your mind? In my mind they don't. When civil servants go shopping do they present an IOU to the cashier? These questions and others similar are valid ones. If a emergency crisis arises and money is needed, let's say about $100,000.00, would each of the political leaders, political advisors included, be willing to donate $1000.00 each to help pay for the cost? I am not fooled. I know for sure that Democracy is wrongly practiced everywhere it is being practice
    Democracy in words seems ok, but in practice the political leaders use their previledge in their and those that they chose favour, mostly financially.
    Next general election is fast approaching. Who shall stand by the stroke of the voters pencil in the voters boot? Could it be possible VIP, NDP, or a new party of like-minded flatterers? God Knows. Many others now think that they know. Please allow me one last question on this topic. Do you desire to see mass whoring in this country bigly reduced? If yes, then pay all civil servants their just wages. Not 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, 50¢, no, but dollers, dollars, dollars, and more dollars, same as you are now getting

  • SIDELINE (29/08/2021, 15:37) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr. Premier I hope you and your government find it within yourselves to pay the teachers what they deserve. Not only do they have to put up with you and your promises, but they have been trying their best since Irma. PLEASE COMPENSATE THEM PROPERLY.
  • None sense (29/08/2021, 16:01) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The police salaries need to be adjusted to! am not hearing anything about that, the people who shows up at all dogs, puss and cat houses whether sunshine or rain come. the persons who protect our so call primer and every citizen of this territory. the people who go out there and putting the lives in danger every single day for some ungrateful some of ***** but I’m not hearing nobody talking about that. where is the love for them?
  • Reporter (29/08/2021, 17:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I hear you loud and clear and I totally agree that teachers should be paid well for the service they give to the community. I also agree with None sense that the Police officer’s salary should be adjusted as well. But, at the same time we need to include the pensioners (on whose shoulders many are standing on today) and give an increase on their salaries as well. They worked hard and made significant contributions to this country so please revise the salary structure and do what is right for the people.


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