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‘Harsh penalties' recommended for 'most blatant offenders' in online learning

- Education Minister said he will not tolerate disrespect for teachers & other students
Some of the infractions reportedly being committed by students include using profanity, playing music while in the classroom, absenting themselves from classes and being dishonest about technical glitches to avoid participation in virtual classrooms. Photo: Internet Source
Minister responsible for Education Dr The Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) is standing firm against bad behaviour displayed by students during online learning. Photo: VINO/File
Minister responsible for Education Dr The Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) is standing firm against bad behaviour displayed by students during online learning. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Minister responsible for Education Dr The Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) is standing firm against bad behaviour displayed by students during online learning.

Some of the infractions reportedly being committed by students include using profanity, playing music while in the classroom, absenting themselves from classes and being dishonest about technical glitches to avoid participation in virtual classrooms.

In his latest report on the education sector on Sunday, May 31, 2020, Dr Wheatley said he is recommending ‘harsh penalties’ for offending students.

He said: “I will end this statement encouraging our young people to use good judgement when engaging in online learning. In a minority of instances, we have been receiving reports of poor behaviour during online instruction, and I need to say that I will not tolerate disrespect for teachers and the other students.”

Harsh penalties

“We have support systems in place for those who need counselling and other types of assistance, but we must have a high standard for conduct in our schools and society as a whole. I am, therefore, recommending harsh penalties for our most blatant offenders.”

The Minister did not say what some of these "harsh penalties" could be.

He; however, urged parents to play their part by engaging their children and “support them in exhibiting appropriate behaviour.”

Students have been home for months now, utilising online learning platforms as part of the measures implemented by the Government of the Virgin Islands as a way to reduce the spread of the Novel Coronavirus, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Notably, there are no reported positive cases of the virus in the Territory at this time.

10 Responses to “‘Harsh penalties' recommended for 'most blatant offenders' in online learning”

  • SHAME (02/06/2020, 10:39) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    These are the same children when they become adults will complain that they can't succeed because the system is unfair. Adults like them should receive the most harsh treatment if and when they express behavior that goes against society.
  • tretretrete (02/06/2020, 12:02) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Well when the students realize that they can't graduate I'm sure that would be punishment as well. I graduated University in 2018, and I had the options to do online courses. Therefore there is no reason to why students should feel this is taboo learning. They need to be disciplined from their parents.
  • Lazy Bones (02/06/2020, 12:33) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Some of those students have gotten accustomed of being home and not being in school. They're just sitting at home and using the device to watch foolishness all day and night. And the sad part is that there are still some students who couldn't get a device.....So,it's like some of the lazy ones got devices and some of the hard working children couldn't get one
  • KLAYTO (02/06/2020, 12:39) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Student misconduct is not always the bi-product of dysfunctional parents. The community contribute significantly to the delinquency of children. Bad children can come out of good homes. We must not try to escape our responsibility as a society for the mal-adoptive behavior of students. Who is responsible for the upbringing of society's children........parents, schools, churches, clubs, and every other member of society has that responsibility. I see ordinary citizens, adult men and women in Tortola using profanity loosely. Blasting obscene music from motor vehicles, violently attacking someone because the person insist that you wear a mask . Politicians who pretend as if they are immune from the laws of the land.A man of the cloth who thinks he is entitled to break the curfew, land lords who abuse their tents. Children carry the burden of the sins of the society. Adam and Lived in a perfect home, had the the perfect Father (God) and they parted from his teachings. "Raise a child in the way that they WANT to grow and they will not stray from it." That is what older versions of the bible says. That's a fact. If Adam and Eve can stray from the teaching of God (Their Father), why cant children stray from the teachings of the parents. What has any of you done for this country. What have you done for a child that is not your own. Parents are not entirely to be blamed. Look at other society. Indiscipline society, indiscipline students
    • True (03/06/2020, 08:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Our children are looking at everything and all behaviour. Sometimes they see more disturbing, unexplained behaviour than we can even imagine. And there is plenty to see in the BVI.
  • priest (02/06/2020, 13:04) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well, I am quite sure someone is going to come on here saying that this kinda behavior is caused by the months of being locked down due to the curfew/Pandemic. That could be argued but believe me, this is a normal behavior in the classrooms, and the home prior to the Pandemic. This problem has been reported to the relevant authorities over and over again and little has been done to address this vexing problem. The problem has been complicated by "persons' who should provide guidance to our youths, are the ones who would publicly defend them when any other person dared to reprimand them when they violate school and other policies even the law. I am not too sure about the harsh penalties, but we have certainly lost grounds. This is the time time to act and it will take all of us. Parents, teachers, Legislators the church, or any other stakeholder to address this dilemma.
  • g (02/06/2020, 13:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Some of those students right now is saying who make school is a fool and who make book is a crock d old saying children stay in school and learn well other wise in life u will catch real hell now ah days u have a certificate to work on the cabbage truck
  • hello (02/06/2020, 14:33) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    I hope there are penalties for the rude immature teachers too who do not know how to communicate as professionals.


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