Education Minister supports Sixth Form for secondary schools!
Hon. Myron Walwyn, who is also responsible for Culture and Sports, made this disclosure last evening May 8, 2012, at the East End/Long Look Community Centre in response to a question posed by a resident. The meeting was hosted by 8th District Representative Hon. Marlon Penn - his first following the November 7, 2011 General Election.
But while he supports the idea, the Education Minister admitted that he could not give residents anymore details because it needs to be “fully thought out”.
According to the Minister, having an additional year/form would mean having additional classrooms and teachers, among others.
Furthermore, Hon. Walwyn pointed out that if residents Google they would see that the United Kingdom has a Sixth Form system, and is making it mandatory for the school leaving age to be 18.
“...that is for a number of reasons. The biggest one is the issue of unemployment, where students are coming out of school too quickly and can’t find jobs,” he explained.
In the Virgin Islands (VI), the feedback from the businesses, the Education Minister revealed, is that many of the students that are coming out are not ready for the world of work, especially when many leave school as early as 16 years old.
Therefore, introducing Sixth Form into the education system “is something that we would have to look at,” Hon. Walwyn added.
However, he assured residents that when all the kinks are ironed out, the public’s input will be sought before going forward since “it would have serious implications.”
Interestingly, a committee was formed by Hon. Walwyn to review the secondary school leaving assessments, and one if its recommendations was to have a Sixth Form.
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