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Gov’t will do what’s necessary to make teaching attractive again– Hon deCastro

Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Honourable Sharie B. deCastro (AL) says Government will do what is necessary to make the teaching profession attractive again. Photo: GIS/Facebook
Hon Sharie B. deCastro (AL), right, during a government programme called Public Eye on, June 13, 2023. Photo: GIS/Facebook
Hon Sharie B. deCastro (AL), right, during a government programme called Public Eye on, June 13, 2023. Photo: GIS/Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Honourable Sharie B. deCastro (AL) says, in recognising that the teaching profession is no longer an attractive career, the government will do what is necessary to make it attractive again.

The Minister made the comments during a government programme called Public Eye broadcasted on, June 13, 2023, when she added that she also gauge students' interest in teaching by polling classrooms during school visits.

“And I strategically and specifically seek to do it because I want to get an understanding and an interest garnered in the profession, enough for them to start thinking,” she said.

Hon deCastro added that she knew she wanted to be a teacher since in primary school, which materialised, and how her aim is to get as many of the VI’s children in the door of the teaching profession.

Bringing back pride in the profession

Reminiscing that teaching was once revered and teachers respected, the Education Minister added that government, therefore, wants to bring back that pride in the profession.

“Because of the many challenges we've mentioned, it’s not attractive anymore and so we have to do whatever necessary, from a government perspective, to make teaching attractive,” she said.

Hon deCastro announced initiatives where teachers would be trained directly from high school, including a Let’s Teach BVI imitative and the reinstitution of the teacher training programme.

She said for persons passionate about specific subject areas, such as science, technology and coding, the Ministry is looking to collaborate with them in making them educators through training programmes for hiring by September.

25 Responses to “Gov’t will do what’s necessary to make teaching attractive again– Hon deCastro”

  • soooo (19/06/2023, 10:21) Like (21) Dislike (1) Reply
    Basically, meaning they will raise the salary? right?...... Right???
    • Josiahsbay (20/06/2023, 10:41) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      It will take more than a salary raise to turn things around there is a host of other issues to be addressed.
    • raise (20/06/2023, 15:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      It's time they raise these teachers salaries .they payed are so low compare to the neighbor US virgin Island and Bahamas.some teachers are passionate with their so pay they passionate salaries.
  • one eye (19/06/2023, 11:03) Like (14) Dislike (29) Reply
    She is doing a great job so far
  • H (19/06/2023, 11:40) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hopefully the pay raise's I kno several teachers that be struggling in the bvi and that's a shame we need them that's why it's a shortage super high rent low salaries
    • @ H (20/06/2023, 03:28) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
      Not only are they struggling to make ends meet on their salaries, some of them actually have to buy their own supplies for the classroom. It’s a crying shame!!
  • I (19/06/2023, 12:05) Like (12) Dislike (11) Reply
    I like Hon. DECASTRO. SHE IS REALLY , REALLY TRYING AND I THINK SHE SHOULD GET THE SUPPORT SHE NEEDS. I READ A FEW COMMENTS TALKING ABOUT HERE PERFORMANCE AS A TEACHER..BLAH BLAH BLAH. SHE WAS TRAIN TO BE A TEACHER BUT STRONGLY FEEL THIS IS HER CALLING BECAUSE SHE IS REALLY TRYING. AS A VOTING CITIZEN, IM HAPPY WITH HER PERFROMANCE.
  • the way it is (19/06/2023, 13:33) Like (7) Dislike (20) Reply
    @I. Yes, even a blind man can see that. And that’s the reason she will be re-elected again. My vote is guaranteed; she don’t have to ask for it. She has the potential to restructure our education system and to improve the quality of education that is offered. I know her and I support her efforts.
  • solution (19/06/2023, 14:16) Like (2) Dislike (8) Reply
    The problem is a community problem. We have the system how it is. The solution is outside help. Outside help is needed. Bring teachers in from other Caribbean countries and hire locals as teachers assistance for a two year period.
    • @solution (19/06/2023, 17:56) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      I beg to question why locals must be hired as teaching assistants if they are qualified. Now, if you are referencing newly High School graduates without training, I can agree on your view.
      If the BVI Government would sponsor to send Students away to Teaching Colleges/Universities or better still, offer Associate Degree or Certification in Elementary Education( free tuition) this might aid in generating more candidates for teaching positions.
      • solution (20/06/2023, 09:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        You are looking at a long term solution. I am looking at an immediate solution. The teachers currently are not doing a good job. This is fact. Having the education to teach but being able to actually teach is a problem here. I think we need to get some experienced teachers and hire people who have the educational background with 1-2 years teaching experience, to be those outside teachers, assistant. It is temporary. Within 1-2 years, they (the locals) will take over. This would give the government time to fix the salary issue. Outside teachers would be happy for the current salary and local teachers can accept the current salary because the expectations is lower.
      • Understanding is key (20/06/2023, 10:06) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        It cannot be that locals who are qualified will be hired as teaching assistants. She is trying to encourage persons to start as trainees and become qualified.
  • Chimp (19/06/2023, 14:25) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    That stud really gotta put in the work to make this happen.
  • J (19/06/2023, 14:39) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    Being highly trained with a low salary does little to attract persons to the field. The salary MUST be improved. Other than that it will only get worse. We all know what needs to be done. It’s time to get it done. A new school year is upon.
  • Good Luck with that folly. (19/06/2023, 17:43) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    As a trained Special Needs Education Teacher with my masters degree and currently working on my PhD, and a BVI belonger; this is a waddle of s&&$. The BVI needs to pay persons their worth. I have decided to live in the USA because, not only am I being paid my worth but my children have access to better education, better healthcare, and better opportunities when they graduate from high school. Additionally, I have access to a proper healthcare system, retirement benefits, and a sensible growth/succession strategy at my job. And I can walk in the grocery store with $100. & come out with a substantial healthy meal to feed my family. The BVI wants to talk about incentives they need to: pay persons their worth & not only teachers , several public servants are not being paid their worth. And there are several other reasons why they continue to loose teachers, no educated persons wants to work in a system that still operates as if we are in the 1500’s . Why would anyone leave their comfortable jobs & come to the bvi to be treated poorly. They don’t even treat their own people fairly, do you think they are going to be any better to outsiders? They talking about incentives for new teachers, how about paying the current teachers ? Or offering them coupons, gas vouchers, etc. something to help them survive? My advice to any teachers out there considering this ploy…… don’t come to the bvi, seek employment elsewhere.
  • Ragged Dee (19/06/2023, 19:05) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    These VI have re engineered the population to reflect the upper Caribbean Islands with values and moral emphasis on comitting and maintaining crime and poverty. This redo that cannot be readily revised for generations going forward. Moneys now are needed for a new and larger prison, a Juvenile detention facility,an increased police staff. No type of money would be enticing for qualified and quality teachers to risk their lives in a classroom where the children are equipped with lethal weapons and would smash your p arked car to pieces at will. Parents who can, will relocate and/ or send their children e abroad to school. Returning and Remaining in the VI would be unlikely. AHigh S c hool graduate in the VI currently, rarely qualifies for College acceptance ...that is disgraceful.
    • @Ragged Dee (19/06/2023, 19:17) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      Good Luck with that folly———-FACTS!!!!!!
      And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
  • I have to say (19/06/2023, 22:47) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    DeCastro is really trying. Ease up off her and let her do her job. Rome was not built in a day.
  • Larry (19/06/2023, 22:50) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Get rid of yourself, Connie George and the rest of that department and things will get better sis.
    • Shining (20/06/2023, 21:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      God empowers Connie George. Her work has been and will continue to be great.
  • Red. Flags (20/06/2023, 07:25) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    While it may sound Noble and be of “ good intentions “ There are a number of flashing “ RED”lights; 1) make sure these young adults are “ seconded” to a Matured teacher with some form of classroom control 2) Put and Enforce appropriate DRESS CODE for classroom ( not college lecturing) — Some male students are “‘sexually active” and it won’t MEK sense to have young female teachers dressing provocatively standing in front of them .3) Re visit CODE OF CONDUCT for both students and Teachers — 4)Be firm and Fair in all incidents /cases 5) We need to STOP “political interference when “ SHIT” happens !! WORDS OF WARNING ( who have ears to hear—-). Let’s get our education system up to par to make us all. Proud
  • Manjack (20/06/2023, 09:01) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Like nursing, teaching is a labour of love. Before other professions can grow, blossom, and mature, they are in the hands and heavily depend on teachers for their literacy care and feeding . Similarly, for a nation, a territory to grow and develop, education must be a top priority, ie, there must be a commitment to effectively manage, invest in, etc education. Teaching is the fulcrum on which a nation, a territory, depends on to become a socioeconomic success. Consequently, though teaching is a labour of love, teachers should be respected, appreciated, recognized and received competitive compensation. For the BVI to become a learning and developing nation, it must do two things (1) effectively and adequately investing in education and (2) recruit, train, retain,etc teachers. Often we promote the idea that personnel are the most important resource yet invariably other resources always take priority over personnel. Moreover, developing a great education system is not a one man or woman show; it takes a team, especially the people on the front line where the rubber meets the road, working cooperatively , collectively and collaboratively. Here is a news flash being appointed to lead the critical education function by winning a popularity contest, ie, election, does not make one an expert and all knowing on all things Education. Top leaders should work closely with key shareholders, especially teachers, adopting ideas which would improve the quality education. Smart, humble, confident engineers , architects, in looking for more ways of improving cleaning spaces are not shy about consulting with the janitorial staff. Who better to get input from than the people who are in the frontline? Take care, recognize, and appreciate teachers. This would boost their monetary income with psychic income. Additionally, pick the brains of retired educators who are reservoirs of education knowledge and are willing to be drawn from.
    • Frig…. (20/06/2023, 11:30) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Manjack, you are frig..who you throwing shade at bout election population contest, flinging corn but not going chip, chip? Indeed, teaching is a labour of love. Indeed, they have the responsibility for the care and feeding of our young chiren education. All the doctors, lawyers, engineers, contractors, transportation providers, nurses, craftsmen, business people, civil servants ( name change needed), politicians etc, were tutored by teachers. Let’s give them some love, respect, recognition and as you said pay them competitive salary with a dose of psychic income ( I had to goggle this but it is all). The Frig…..out looking for old teachers to say thank you.
      • @ Frig…. (20/06/2023, 15:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        @Frig.. you are self-promoted frig……but cannot annoyed wid you for truths. Lol
  • Where to apply? (20/06/2023, 09:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Where exactly do we apply?


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