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'I back them 110 per cent'- Premier to protesting teachers

- but said VI has high demands & low resources
Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) says he is in solidarity with teachers protesting and noted that the Education Minister is working hard to find 'a middle ground' despite the challenges. Photo: VINO/File
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) reportedly met with aggrieved teachers last night. Photo: VINO/File
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) reportedly met with aggrieved teachers last night. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- School teachers carrying out the silent protest action against alleged neglect and issues spanning over 14 years in the system have been told by Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) that the ongoing health pandemic is causing the territory to have a situation where there are high demands, but the resources are low.

He said despite the effects of COVID-19 on the global economy, there are some mischief-makers in the territory.

“Yesterday when we had the ongoing matter with the teachers which I back them 110 per cent in terms of teachers, but I also know my Government through the minister has been doing all he can, and the middle ground would be found. I start by saying that Mr Speaker because on my Facebook page, someone went and try to rattle my cage, and I told them, “In times like these, a wise head keeps a still tongue,” the Premier said during the 12th Sitting of the 3rd Session of the 4th House of Assembly (HoA) at the Save the Seed Energy Centre on Thursday, October 28, 2021.

Emotions running high

“Because Mr Speaker, when you see you have COVID that has challenged every single country’s finances, every single family’s finances and when you see you have high demands and low resources, then everything becomes more of a controversy than before,” he remarked.

According to the territory’s leader, emotions are running high, but he is still not saying that the teacher’s protesting is not justified.

“In some cases but not all,” he said.

He added: “Mr Speaker, you realise that some people are just waking up trying to look for the next argument, just waking up looking for the next thing to jump on, preferably mostly some of them the Government and sometimes they correct, sometimes we could do better but not all the time.”

Sickouts

The silent protest occurred on Wednesday, October 27, 2021, by Junior School teachers of Elmore Stoutt High School in Road Town. About half of the staff called in sick.

On Thursday, October 28, 2021, the Senior School teachers also joined in the protest by refusing to log in to their online classes.

Meanwhile, some four primary schools were forced to close today, October 29, 2021, due to a large number of teachers being absent.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) reportedly met with some of the aggrieved teachers last night; however, it is unclear what came out of the meeting.

36 Responses to “'I back them 110 per cent'- Premier to protesting teachers”

  • one (29/10/2021, 12:08) Like (8) Dislike (50) Reply
    Premier we are still with you but you may want to consider a cabinet shake up
  • Ham and chesse (29/10/2021, 12:30) Like (56) Dislike (0) Reply
    You have problems coordinating things, few resources, money and you want to increase the salaries of politicians, and pay $ 121 thousand to the president for debts hummm Referendum for elections now
  • Premier Fault.. (29/10/2021, 12:34) Like (41) Dislike (1) Reply
    Teachers should have come under a priority spending heading...If that was done we wouldn't be in this situation..Too much monies went where its not priority or urgently needed, thats on the the Premier, the finance minister..
  • bbb (29/10/2021, 12:39) Like (14) Dislike (88) Reply
    Premier don’t study the noise. Continue to run the territory at your best. U are doing an awesome job
    • @bbb (29/10/2021, 14:39) Like (77) Dislike (3) Reply
      You know what? I will be handing out stupidity passes today and you are the first to receive one. CONGRATULATIONS.
    • @bbb (29/10/2021, 14:47) Like (9) Dislike (6) Reply
      We are looking at their best. Trust me.
  • A strong parent (29/10/2021, 12:46) Like (50) Dislike (2) Reply
    Teachers of the BVI, don’t back down. To many of us is standing with you and the firm stand you took to make change for our children and their future. The Premier should not even be involved in this. Tell your Education Minister to step forward like a true leader would and handle his business in the manner that it should be.
    • @A strong parent (29/10/2021, 14:33) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
      YOUR COMMENT IS 100% SPOT ON. I AGREE, TEACHERS, DO NOT BACK DOWN. PREMIER HAVE NO BUSINESS UP IN THIS. TEACHERS, DON’T BITE THE BAIT THIS TIME. ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLD. BY GIVING UP ON WHAT YOU TAKE A STAND FOR WILL ONLY MAKE THE THINGS WORSE
    • for real (30/10/2021, 08:47) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      The Premier should stay out of this. He is always sticking his nose in things that does not concern him. When he was suppose to step up for the Teachers he turned a blind eye. Missy DeCastro also did the same. She is up on another News Site about she support the teachers. YEAH GIRL RIGHT!!!.
  • hmm (29/10/2021, 12:50) Like (63) Dislike (3) Reply
    Low resources but spending like a drunken sailor!
  • Wellsah (29/10/2021, 13:23) Like (49) Dislike (0) Reply
    Andrew just saving face, took all the $$ and now chatting nonsense. After 4 years high school building still in shambles
  • Diplomatic untruther (29/10/2021, 13:25) Like (45) Dislike (0) Reply
    Backing the teachers but believing the ministers were doing their best. Tell me...THAT MAKING SENSE TO YOU??????? Two untruths in one!!!! strupes.....shut the front door
    • It making sense (29/10/2021, 14:51) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      Only one untruth. The ministers doing their best. We thought they could do better but we were wrong.
      • @it making sense (29/10/2021, 15:45) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
        You cannot say you back the teachers in one breath but say the ministers were doing their breath in another. Trying to please both sides. If you back the teachers, that means you are of the opinion that the ministers are not doing their best. If you believe the ministers are at their best, you could not possibly agree with the teachers. 2faced, 2tongued, untruther.
  • FIRE (29/10/2021, 13:52) Like (32) Dislike (0) Reply
    Low resources while advisers getting big $$$. If y'all can't run the country please step aside
  • big show (29/10/2021, 14:09) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    This guy is so good it is amazing how good he is with hid mouth
  • solution (29/10/2021, 14:14) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
    the only solution is to hire a few of the potitician friends and family as teachers, then you see all kinda contracts to fix school etc plus raise for all teachers.. you all dont see.. if it dont benefit them politicians,, they just dont care. ask yourself, how many of them have kids going local schools. bet you is less than 50%.
  • confused (29/10/2021, 14:30) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
    Ultimately the buck stops with the premier - what nonsense is he talking?
  • Bold face (29/10/2021, 14:41) Like (12) Dislike (25) Reply
    Who going refund my $7.2 m for the plane and $1.6 m for the wall? When that is answered then come to me with this crap about the esteemed speaker little $120 thousand
    • humble (30/10/2021, 05:07) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
      The plane money is already refund and the wall is there for you to see.
  • What Do You Expect (29/10/2021, 14:42) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    You turn a kid loose in a candy store the kid is going to clean out the whole store right?
  • VIslander (29/10/2021, 14:45) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr Premier: if the teachers are supported by you then do the right thing. Stop. Pray. Think. Do not increase the salaries for HOA members at this time. That would be a nail in your coffin. Do NOT allow taxpayers’ hard earned money to be squandered to pay for the debt incurred by the Speaker of the House. That would be another nail in your coffin and by extension the members of the VIP. Be wise. A word to the wise is sufficient.
    • @nail in coffin (29/10/2021, 15:53) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
      You mean it would put the FINAL nail in the coffin. The coffin pretty much nailed up right now and he did that all by himself.
  • Oh Please (29/10/2021, 15:12) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    We were offered a 300 million Dollar loan at great rates to fix all this after Irma but we refused. Look at us now.
    • Uh oh (29/10/2021, 15:49) Like (19) Dislike (1) Reply
      According to the Premier during the COI, he did not take the guarantee because it was ONLY TO BE USED FOR IRMA RECOVERY and nothing more. He actually said this!!! So, in other words, it would have required him to be accountable, to answer for who get what, how, why, when and how it directly relates to the recovery of the country AND NOTHING ELSE. It would require good governance. It would prevent mis-spending. The list goes on.
      • Deh Watcha (29/10/2021, 21:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        The RDA was set up to carryout recovery/renovation works and also new development works. Recovery and DEVELOPMENT Agency.

        They are only doing recovery works because all the funds they have been given so far is for recovery works. Especially the CDB funds.
    • care (30/10/2021, 17:24) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Pride goeth before the fall.
  • Parent of a Teacher (29/10/2021, 16:12) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    So now you are backing the Teachers 110%? Thanks, but no Thanks. Relay to the Education Minister to come out of hiding and face the Teachers.
  • pico (29/10/2021, 16:46) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    To be honest as bad as funny man was and oh gosh he was not the best education minister with his petty and micro management sill stile but lord Showda this is a new low

    I will settle for kye as the education minister just about now
    • @Pico (30/10/2021, 09:34) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      You know what? I will also settle for Kye being the Education Minister myself. LMAO, at least Kye will not be hiding out and avoiding the Teachers like this one is. JVD school fiasco have sealed the Education Minister’s fate next Election. He is getting a swift hot kick to the curb for sure.
  • hm (29/10/2021, 23:21) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    What’s the complaint from parents? Showande didn’t cause Irma or Covid, nor did he single handedly build our education system.

    If you ask me those teachers aren’t in it for the right reasons it’s a easy job when the kids respect you.

    Try going to do some hard work and strike about the conditions that make people wish to be inside.
  • no shame! (30/10/2021, 07:38) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    The government has money for what they want. Our demands are not high, education is just NOT a priority. I will even go far as to say, education is never a priority and that is why the schools have been in the state they are in for YEARS! Our health is our WEALTH! And our health and the conditions in which we work and students learn should be a NECESSITY, and not a DEMAND from teachers! The Temporary fixtures of the buildings from Irma is now creeping up on us and this is why we have so many MOLD issues! School closes every two months and MAINTENANCE is NEVER done! Basic things like repainting the school, electrical fixtures, BASIC RESOURCES, mold issues, proper classroom lighting. It’s a disgrace and it’s an embarrassment how we treat and value the educational process!
  • Teachers & Parents (30/10/2021, 09:50) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Nice to see you all standing for something but i hope that same energy is put forward to stand up for the children if and when any lucifer injection is being forced on our children fooling to protect from covid. Its plain for people with common sense to see that the main stream media is lying to the public. Do your own proper research and you will see that the highest vaccinated countries especially children have seen a high spike in heart attacks and strokes and that information is being covered up. God has warned us about a time like this to be aware of deceivers.If we gonna stand for one lets stand for all and protect the next generation from sterilization and being a pharmaceutical customer for life. Let good shut down evil.
  • Dear Teachers (30/10/2021, 09:55) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Don’t back down or give in to what the hissing snake tongue is saying. He is covering up the incompetence of the gone ghost Minister of Education. Tell him to put on his big boy pants and face the Teachers of the BVI. They want to hear from him, not you Mr. Premier. You have no business being up in it. Please stay in your lane and don’t swerve to hard.
  • lmao (30/10/2021, 11:12) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Time to drain the dirty swamp.
  • jokers (30/10/2021, 11:26) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    BUT HOW COME WHEN AFTER HURRICANE AND NDP SHUTDOWN AND FAIL THERE WAS NO CINDY-KISHMA- RITICAL -NOR THE THE CONFUSION RADIO MAN?THIS LOOKS REALLY LEAN! IF YOU GETUP AND QUARILL EVERY DAY YOU SINGING PRAISES TO THE DEVILS I SAY!!!


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