'Unprecedented' number of VI teacher resigning over low salaries - Hon de Castro
Speaking as a telephone guest on the International Morning Braff show on Tola Radio VI this morning, February 10, 2023, Hon de Castro said the low salaries continue to be a major issue.
“The highest qualified teacher in the Virgin Islands is being paid $34k per year… we have to have a serious discussion the current scheme.”
Hon de Castro said even when teachers upgrade their qualifications with master’s degrees, the salary scale remains low.
“It has become extremely difficult worldwide for us to get teachers in classrooms, currently we do not have teachers and we are currently approaching the mid-term of the second term in the school year,” he said.
Cost of living skyrocketed - Teachers
VI teachers in a recent letter dated January 20, had complained that the cost of living has skyrocketed, yet salaries have not risen to match inflation. This according to the Minister is preventing the recruitment of new teachers as well as the retainment of current teachers in the system.
Hon de Castro added, “Currently we are received an unprecedented amount of resignations from teachers last year, and even now into February... we have received a significant number of resignations,” she added.
She said with the current salary conditions, regional teachers are also refusing to take up local jobs in the VI where salaries in neighboring countries including the USVI are higher with starting salaries to reach $50K from September 2023.
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42 Responses to “'Unprecedented' number of VI teacher resigning over low salaries - Hon de Castro ”
Hon. Minister, Sharie B. de Castro, I do share your concerns in reference to the number of teachers that have resigned, because of low salary. However, I also share in the pain of not being able to adiquately serviced due to rising cost of basics needs on a daily basis.
In the past you have promised them positive response on the topic matter, but while they did felt pacified by your promise, prices for basic needs, particular food, continue rising, daily. You now promise to discussion, because some of them resigned. But you should know that underfed teachers cannot eat discussion, cannot wear discussion, cannot pay the mortgage and rent with discussion. Can I make it simple for you, and those that think like you to understand? Ok, I will. They, (low paid teachers) need their salary raise to an acceptable level so that they will be able to cope with the high rising prices for basic needs due to inflation. You may say that we have a money shortage. I agreed. But would you agree it is so because our politicians have paid themselves heftily, and also waisted too much of our finances on unnecessary selfish ambition? Yes, you have, in my opinion.
On your concerns, allowed me to tell you the best way to solve this problem. The way to quickly solved this problem is for the Unity Government, and Minister of finances lead by our Premier Hon. Natalio Sawande Wheatley, is to approve swiftly a reasonable salary raise for the educators of our children present and future wellbeing.
Shut the hell up, all during summer, Easter and Christmas vacations yhe teachers are working their @$^ off in preparation for the upcoming school term.
Note they do not get alll that summer holidays. There is always meetings and workshops to attend.
This is the time to show who is 'BORN HERE FROM WHO IS ISLAND MAN OR WOMAN'
I am sure that at least half of the teacher's are foreigners " ISLAND MAN AND WOMAN". SO let BVISLANDERS step forward and take up the mantle. It is their place.
BVISLANDERS do not want to be ,Nurses,Teachers, and Police Officers but yet they are the bigest Critics. They will go to other islands and Country and be just that.
Not even Doctors they want to become in their own country and if they do,they all go into private practice.
When people finish working for Government over 30,35,and 40 years they can't even take home a good $2,500 a month in pension.
But again who is responsible for looking at increase in Salaries, BVISLANDERS , so then they have never been in support of better Salary for those three (3) particular occupation.
If you all don't want to do the job you all have to pay proper to get it done.
As the saying goes.,Put your money where your mouth is.
I truly feel sorry for educators, i have a few that work for the high school and i know the struggles they go through and some are now either considering retiring or find a better job.
This government came into office after the passage of two major hurricanes, Irma and Maria. In addition, there was the COVID-19 pandemic. These factors caused a reduction of revenue in the treasury. I must commend the government for doing a fantastic job. Despite the circumstances there was not any laying off of any government employees. At the same time there are rehabilitation of government schools and other projects. That is a government much with little.
As a group of young politicians, what they did must be commended and I am looking forward to continue to support them when the General Election is announce.