Commentator Douglas Wheatley is of the opinion that tertiary education is not the end all and be all of everything and that the basic skills in reading, writing and arithmetic have proven to be the essential tools for success. Photo: VINO/File

Wheatley said there were many examples both locally and abroad where persons were without higher education and have been able to achieve great and wonderful things. Photo: VINO/File

Wheatley noted on the Speak Out BVI radio show aired on August 27, 2013 that while it is often said that education is the vehicle with which to get a good job and to achieve satisfaction in life, he did not feel that people should get the impression that this can only be achieved by having a bachelor’s degree, associate’s degree or some other tertiary certificate.

Wheatley said there were many examples both locally and abroad where persons were without higher education and have been able to achieve great and wonderful things.

However, he felt that acquiring basic skills in reading, writing and arithmetic were essential tools in achieving success. He explained that a number of persons who got no further than seventh standard in the good old days but got a very good grounding in English, arithmetic and writing were able to do great things.

The commentator highlighted several Virgin Islanders who made a name for themselves in sailing and other avenues and had got no further than seventh standard. Their achievements he indicated were simply because they learnt from observation and trial and error.

He further highlighted that it was useful to have multiple skills in order to achieve success.

“Yes, the tertiary education is good, we need to have doctors in our society, we need to have lawyers in our society, we need to have accountants in our society, but we also need all the other skills in order to complete the community,” Wheatley argued.

Wheatley’s comments come amidst repeated calls from Education Minister Hon. Myron V. Walwyn for more young persons to take advantage of the opportunity to acquire skills at the technical level.

“More than ever before we need our young people-BVIslanders, Belongers and those who only know this Territory as their home to understand that there is nothing wrong with starting at the ground level, learn as much as you can about your craft and help to build this Territory for the benefit of all," Hon. Walwyn stated at a Technical and Vocational Educational Training (TVET) graduation exercise held earlier this year.