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

'Teachers deserve more pension'– Hon Neville A. Smith

- Pledges to lobby for increase @ next HoA sitting
Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly (HoA) and Territorial At Large Representative Honourable Neville A. Smith has given fellow legislators advance notice that he intends to lobby at the next sitting of the HoA for an increase in teachers' pension. Photo: Facebook
According to the At Large Representative Hon Neville A. Smith, teachers are the ones who can be credited for educating the contractors who have signed the multi-million dollar contract for the construction of the territory’s senior high school. Photo: Facebook
According to the At Large Representative Hon Neville A. Smith, teachers are the ones who can be credited for educating the contractors who have signed the multi-million dollar contract for the construction of the territory’s senior high school. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly (HoA) and Territorial At Large Representative Honourable Neville A. Smith has given fellow legislators advance notice that he intends to lobby at the next sitting of the HoA for an increase in teachers' pension.

Hon Smith was at the time giving brief remarks at the Contract Signing Ceremony for the construction of additional buildings to house students of Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS). The ceremony was held on the school's campus yesterday afternoon, March 31, 2022.

Teachers need to be better compensated- Hon Smith

According to Hon Smith, teachers are always hardworking in their efforts to mould the minds of the future but they are not compensated enough for the work they do.

“We need to pay homage to this.”

Hon Smith added that he would like to see the pension for teachers increased.

“Because teachers' work never finishes, it never finishes, so we have to find a way that we could compensate our teachers in a way that it affects them and their livelihood because they are always teaching, no matter what happens.”

Teachers given moment of recognition

According to the At Large Representative, teachers are the ones who can be credited for educating the contractors who have signed the multi-million dollar contract for the construction of the territory’s senior high school.

While underscoring the need for a better pension for teachers, Hon Smith called up all the educators who were present at the time for a special moment of recognition.

“They are the ones who made us who we are today, and I am asking and I am saying, I am telling my members that I am coming to the House of Assembly, whenever we have it again, and I am going to be asking.”

Hon Smith also clarified that he was not saying that other professions do not need a pension increase.

"Yes, we have to look at the pension plan on a whole but for now I am saying let’s give our teachers more.”

21 Responses to “'Teachers deserve more pension'– Hon Neville A. Smith”

  • one termer (01/04/2022, 10:45) Like (22) Dislike (2) Reply
    Yo didnt thought about that when first time legislatures were getting theirs
    • Hmmmm (01/04/2022, 11:08) Like (20) Dislike (2) Reply
      To: One Termer,

      You took the words right out of my mouth. Would have stood a chance if they had put teachers, nurses, etc first
  • TALK THAT (01/04/2022, 10:49) Like (17) Dislike (2) Reply
    The 6 million dollars used to pay the COI defense team could've well paid the teachers more
    • @talk that (01/04/2022, 19:17) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      Agreed. The Premier should be paying the 6 million tab. After all he opened the can of worms.
  • continue (01/04/2022, 10:54) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Teachers teach how to work for a salary not to become independent, never do they teach a class on money in the history of teachers teaching, and Columbus ain’t discover nothing, yeah that part.You just can’t get a decent retirement pension without a decent salary, he slick and fresh out of my 48 votes maybe more.
  • WOW (01/04/2022, 11:02) Like (21) Dislike (3) Reply
    This man surprise me and a lot of people. Fake !
  • not only (01/04/2022, 11:03) Like (30) Dislike (2) Reply
    Not only teachers all government workers!!!
  • 1% (01/04/2022, 11:11) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    yes and come cheek the Health workers at the big intuition that want to pay it workers 1% per annum for the service work given . just think of where else in the world and in BVI workers work so hard as Unsound Heroes an the gratitude for their service is 1% per annum. It no wonder the workers are leaving so fast and the work is so poor because what you pay is what you .
  • Native Senior Citizen of the British Virgin Islands (01/04/2022, 11:34) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    "Birds Of Known Feather Flock Together."
    "The Sheep Know Their Master's Pen.
    "Too Little, Too Late."

    Seemingly politicians don't know what the voting public have on their mind coming next general election.
    After pretending that you did not know that teachers are underpaid, only now are you coming to the realization that teachers salary, and their pension need to be raised, Hon. Neville Smith? What took you so long from waking from your slumbering sheep sleep? As I and many (the majority) now see it you are trying to buy for yourself and the Cabinet a second term, in my honest opinion?
    V Very
    I Insecure
    P People
  • Teacher (01/04/2022, 12:21) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    Yes, we need more pension but first like all government workers, we NEED our four outstanding increments. After that, we need an increase in salary and allowances then our pension increased. You are so right,. It's about time someone look out for us. Our work is never done (facts)
  • Stupes (01/04/2022, 14:21) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    ah set of hot air as usual , waste of time if you ask me , looking votes for next election.
  • Sheep I agree. U forget one thing. (01/04/2022, 15:46) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    I have to agree will neville. However seems like the medical professional does not have strong and caring representation....I will suggest that all medical professionals serving in tbe BVI after 10 yrs on the Job should be made permanent and pensionable. Done away with contract after 10yrs.....Come on..Be fair. God is a good and just God..He will reward all of us according to our works..
  • Ne Timeas (01/04/2022, 17:13) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    The BVI civil service is bloated, broken and dysfunctional. One of its structural weaknesses is its unfunded liability pension system. The pension needs to be revamped. If the BVI economy were to tumble, what is the pensioners priority in the payout scheme. Currently, civil servants are not contributing anything towards their retirement. The retirement system is a define benefit system which is wholly funded by government. Civil servants have no skin in the game as is the practice in other areas.
    • Undercover Observer (01/04/2022, 19:08) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      Under the Dr. Smith-led NDP regime, the unfunded liability was approx $300M. Wonder what it is now? It and the bloated civil service needs to be fixed by some government. Governments thus far focus of picking the low hanging fruits. The big, difficult and more complex issues are kicked down the road. The current popularity system of electing members to the HOA, the short-term governing process, and the governing structure is deeply flawed. The next must indicate how and demonstrate the ability to attack and address the big issues, not kick the van down the road.
  • Hospital (01/04/2022, 18:39) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    They are lucky. The pension for hospital workers is only 70% of the government pension and the workers have to contribute a half of it. So do the Maths. Not the minister. Not he Board. Not the government. Nobody to assist those poor workers.
  • pat (01/04/2022, 18:50) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    He is correct we voting for smith
  • Coack roach (01/04/2022, 18:56) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Actions speak louder then words!

    Give it to them and stop airing off your damn mouth!
  • MR SHEEP (02/04/2022, 07:59) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    THE NEW JUDGE IN THE HOA , YOU SEEMS TO HAVE ADOPTED THE SAME ARROGANCE OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE ESTEEMED (1) ALL YOU NEED NOW A GLOVE OR A WIG ( HOPEFULLY ITS BLACK
  • WEW (02/04/2022, 16:33) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Reading some of these blogs with all the misspelling, terrible grammar and sentence structure the teaches don’t deserve a raise. The whole education system needs a overhaul and modernization.
    • say so (03/04/2022, 15:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @WEW.....,it needs an not ‘a’ ...hmmmmm.,.,check your grammar
  • Teacher (05/04/2022, 21:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is he for real....what Pension? In order to get a good pension we need better salaries. Considering Hon. Sheep's mom was a long standing educator, this is the piss he come with? Sheep get outta here! We forever still waiting on increment. Let's fix Teacher's salary first then talk about Pension. Get it together Sheep!


Create a comment


Create a 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.