Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

ESHS students searched for 'offensive objects'!

- phones, combs taken away
Students being searched by security personnel and police ranks as they entered the compound of the Elmore Stoutt High School today October 9, 2015. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - The Administration of the Elmore Stoutt High School this morning October 9, 2015 embarked on a random search of all students and their property much to their dismay.

When this news site appeared on the scene, teachers were on the sidewalk outside of the school advising arriving students of the search operation and collecting their cellphones for safekeeping.

One teacher had a stack of smartphones in his hand. However, it appeared that he was holding on to the phones with a view to getting them back to the students at a later time as he had so indictated to one student.

At the gate there were personnel from a security service who were checking students' bags and pockets. Even items such as afro combs were deemed offensive and taken away.

At the gate, as part of the operations, were members of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force.

Speaking with this news site somewhat reluctantly was acting Principal Sandy M. Underhill who said the search operation was a random one which the school's administration was entitled to perform. 

Underhill was at the time supervising the search operations.

She said that there was nothing to be alarmed about and noted that because they were busy there had not been a search like that for quite some time at the school.

Over the past months there have been reports of violent incidents among students at the school.

Just over a week ago the RVIPF reported that a 15-year-old male student received a stab wound to the face while on the Elmore Stoutt High School compound. Another male student was questioned in relation to the matter.

Two days later, police said the victim and two other males were questioned in relation to a reported fight at Duff’s Bottom. A camouflaged brass knuckle was handed over to the Police. Charges were expected to be laid.

37 Responses to “ESHS students searched for 'offensive objects'!”

  • just asking... (09/10/2015, 09:53) Like (7) Dislike (92) Reply
    Why they voilating the children rights?
    • Guest (09/10/2015, 10:12) Like (106) Dislike (3) Reply
      For the same reason your brain violates the right to having common sense everytime you post.
    • wize up (09/10/2015, 10:28) Like (25) Dislike (2) Reply
      @ just asking: do you think that it is reasonable for children going to our public school to have some foolish child injur them?? and you here chatting @$$ about violating rights: the school is a public place and sad to say I wish someone will injur a member of your family and see how you will deal with that matter: there is a factor in civilized society that is know as law & order; the last time I check our territory was a civilised society therefore the police are keepers of law and order in our community...we need to make that place safe for others I left BVI- High school over 30 years and it is shameful to hear about the violent incidents in that place these days, and some fools in our community talking about violating children rights
    • ? (09/10/2015, 12:15) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
      They are not violating any rights. It is for they own good and protection.
    • think about it (12/10/2015, 23:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @joust asking...Look at the US, they take out God out of their school...children are given too many rights that is why school crime is on a rise and the innocent students are the ones who are going to get bullied and suffer. Them children need some old school discipline.
  • yesss (09/10/2015, 09:54) Like (41) Dislike (1) Reply
    It is time this happen. they need to put back up the metal detectors also.
  • Yes (09/10/2015, 09:57) Like (6) Dislike (56) Reply
    it just getting more and more like jail..... poor kids..... i glad i out of that boy before underhilll came in
    • Guest (09/10/2015, 10:54) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
      if some students would act like criminals then there is a need to do this to protect the majority and make school a safe place for them.
    • chad (09/10/2015, 14:58) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      In the states they have metal detectors as you enter and I think it should be a suggestion to ESHS, these kids are terrible and I think some of them are very disrespectful I feel sorry for the ones who are so nice and want to learn. I was in there some day's ago and the weed scent what hit me from a young man walking in the gate as I was leaving OMG.
  • wize up (09/10/2015, 10:11) Like (30) Dislike (2) Reply
    It's about time and we need the police to also stop & search cars and do not profile search everyone on the public road (search black and white)... these violent crimes needs to be addressed and if you are an upstanding visitor, resident or citzen them you have no problem.....
  • Local (09/10/2015, 10:16) Like (27) Dislike (1) Reply
    Keeping our children safe is extremely important so if that's what it takes to keep them safe I'm all for it. Look on the television we can see kids bringing weapons to school and taking innocent lives some of us don't think about that until it hits home.
    • Hmm (09/10/2015, 11:03) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
      @Local.... keep in mind, all those psychotic shootings were committed by kids on up to 5 different psychotropic prescription meds. all stating aggression, violence, suicidal tendencies as side effects. Some of the same drugs they giving you children. These children come form poor homes and have a poor education structure, some schools still teaching about the Arawaks when they have been proven to have never existed in the first place.....
    • chad (09/10/2015, 11:16) Like (4) Dislike (16) Reply
      It was said that the million dollar wall will keep the children safe.
  • Hmm (09/10/2015, 11:00) Like (3) Dislike (36) Reply
    prison like environment..... inside dem class room look like garbage, no paper ever dere to print exam and no ink. the place nasty, the children dem water fountain dont work. but look how we treating dem. these kids must rebel and get in trouble. its unfair to the good bunch and not the right approach for the problematic bunch. Comin up next, Dome to cover entire grounds to stop ppl from throwing offensive objects over wall and hiding them n campus for later use. We have failed our youth because ppl with no educational, scientific or economical backgrounds qare in positions of power....
  • communism (09/10/2015, 11:15) Like (4) Dislike (23) Reply
    This never happened under the previous ministers.
    • Past Graduate (09/10/2015, 11:29) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
      YES IT DID .. well I know it did with Andrew Fahie
    • What a crock (09/10/2015, 11:38) Like (47) Dislike (0) Reply
      Are you people for real? Search their bags yes! Why are coming to school with weapons and cell phones? Comb your hair at home, leave your phone at home and if you want to fight, then join Boxing or check yourself into Ballo. People, you are the reason why the children act the way that they do - like they are entitled. Utter nonsense comments from adults!
    • wize up (09/10/2015, 16:08) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ Communism: we are faced with very serious issues in our territory and you can find time to be playing political games...how stupid can you be?
  • Well Sah (09/10/2015, 11:19) Like (4) Dislike (27) Reply
    Prisoners are allowed cellphones but not our students...WOW!
  • talk the things (09/10/2015, 11:31) Like (4) Dislike (47) Reply
    LOOK WHAT MVW HAS DONE TO OUR LIL COUNTRY AND SCHOOL SYSYEM
  • ### (09/10/2015, 11:33) Like (23) Dislike (1) Reply

    Excellent Principal - the best the school has been- just need to send those fools with foolish parents home for good

  • O well (09/10/2015, 12:33) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    It should happen every day as far as I c
  • O well (09/10/2015, 12:44) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    If we can't teach ur children to respect people's job , properties,thought,opinion and there self then you send them school to still be a menise to society
    • cuba (09/10/2015, 13:53) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      I don't understand that children that leave in they parents how can't control them...why are children still going to school with phone...rules are rules at school...if they want to do they own thing they need to find a job instead...charity beings at home ,no respect home is no respect for others..but it look like it ending up at schools so sad...children you have this oppur
  • straight talk (09/10/2015, 13:02) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    As soon as Administrators try to implement something to keep the school a safe place for all involved the society is all over the administrators including the Ministry . Why can't parents ensure that students start at home by doing the right thing. Leave in their proper uniform and their books for the day and on time. Students leave their parents homes and vehicles with a copy book in their pockets and shirts flying. These are the handful of students who are rebellious to the authority of the school. So who to blame Myron and Underhill?. Parents need to take their responsibility seriously and stop having their children talk back to them like adults with no respect. Then they want to talk to teachers with no regard. Some parents instead of spending time to teach moral values to their house hold, they are busy ill speaking teachers . Children MUST behave as children where ever they are and who ever teaches them.
  • haterz (09/10/2015, 13:43) Like (0) Dislike (12) Reply
    The ministry is humiliating our kidz.
    • Nuh Sah!!! (09/10/2015, 14:55) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      Maybe they humiliating YOUR child/children. But I for sure feel safe knowing that my well behaved and disciplined child safer at school. Search them, search them ALL, even the teachers and the Principal if need be. We trying our best to protect them from the "enemy" outside the gates but think about this, what if the "enemy" is inside the gate?
    • Yes (11/10/2015, 06:26) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
      I drove past Great Wall of Tortola and saw a kid throwing over a backpack to I presume someone on other side. Anything could have been in the backpack. Guns, drugs or phones. There's no security that wall just bought votes it wasn't built to protect our children. MVW thinks everyone stupid as he is.
    • Peaches (13/10/2015, 23:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Sound so stupid buh kids! Hate that word! A kid is a young goat! Maybe that is why they act so!
  • cuba (09/10/2015, 14:06) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    It so sad ...when children don't have respect from home...The school rules are no phone why children still going to school with phone...in my days if I don't leave the phone home..granny will go check to see if the phone is not home...and that's trouble granny will past all security on end up in my class looking for the phone.. and that is so embrassing you would never go to school with phone again..we parents are to afraid of our own children...As my mum used to say I bring in this world on I will take you out if you think you will embrass me..children stop taking you parents and teachers for granted thy love you...
  • Zeddie (09/10/2015, 18:53) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    I wonder if Saint Georges/Seventhday Adventist Secondary School have this problem with their students.
  • TOTAL (09/10/2015, 19:06) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    I approve this action, the weapons, along with the mentality of today's children are atrocious in general. Nothing in my eyes is wrong with checking the children's bag for weapons etc. to ensure school safety. It should be a everyday thing if you were to ask me. I rather drop my child off knowing they won't have to be attacked with knives or matter of fact in these days with so many guns on the streets, guns... Check them ensure their safety.
  • visitor (10/10/2015, 13:29) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    These schools now are being just the same as a public school in the ghettos. The children now are too rude and disrespectful. If you don’t want to be treated like a thief, thug, gang or troublesome child you need to help out by telling your friends badness out of style. Decrease the hate and uplift the love. What call weapons doing in a school for learning? When we fight back in the days we use our hands alone, now you see people getting killed for no reason. Do you think any parent want to see their child in jail must less killed? Wise up my youths and educate your mind not with guns and knives but with love and peace. You talk about senators and the government but it’s your family’s the same ones who’s in them same position. No 1 is perfect but if you kindly leave them few pointers in a letter or note, they might just understand. Instead you keep bashing them of things. Prisoners are not allowed cellphones so the person name " Well Sah" please go to police station and ask a question if you don't know. School is suppose to be a safe environmet, not a gand rest stop or village shop. They need to continue doind screening to teach them children a lesson. Crime pays.
  • knowledge is the key (11/10/2015, 10:25) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    If parents don't have the knowledge of parenting how can they teach their children to obey administration when they as parent cannot get them to obey the rules of their own home. Children are getting away with to much and teachers are blamed too often for parents responsibility. Respect starts at home so don't blame the administration and the teachers blame your self. Some parent even want to blame the education minister for their children behavior don't blame him blame your self. Do what you have to do to discipline your children and stop putting blame on others. When you are going to college as an adult, you have to respect teachers so why the children can't do the same. So stop giving children precedence over theit teachers that's wrong. Teach the children in the way they should grow and when they become an adult they would not depart from it. PARENTD STOP WITH THAT BEAVIOUR.


Create a comment


Submit comment

Create a comment

Submit comment
Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.