UPDATE: More questions surface on overspending on teachers' gala
According to a reliable source within the National Democratic Party (NDP) administration, whose eyes were fortunate to behold an authentic document of expenditure of the Virgin Islands, a 2012 fete of the House of Assembly which had catered for more than 200 persons was executed with the meager sum of $12,000. "Look at that. Even if the teachers thing had double that amount of persons look at the margin in the cost. Yes they would have had some other flares on the side but still that figure by the Education Ministry was way over the wall."
The source said that with the media doing its role of informing the public in a civil and candid way, eyes are being opened to things that are currently 'swept under the rug', "We are accustomed to a hush hush way of things here but that is changing because the media is definitely getting stronger here in the BVI," commented the source.
On April 27, 2013 this news site published an article captioned 'Hon Walwyn hosts $100k price tag teachers’ dinner'. In that story, the Hon. Julian Fraser RA, was credited for making the information public following a question he had asked during the eight sitting of the second House of Assembly on April 25, 2013.
The Minister for Education and Culture had claimed that he had garnered the hefty sum of $99,425.45 from savings to honour teachers past and present on March 16, 2013.
The event was one to have been fittingly described as elaborate especially with it decor and had seen members of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) performing the role as escorts for the teachers.
Confirmation on this was also sought from Director of Communications Mrs Arliene T. Penn, who has promised a response.
See previous article posted on April 27, 2013
Hon. Walwyn hosts $100k price tag teachers dinner!
Often complaining in the House of Assembly (HOA) and to Department Heads under his Ministry about the lack of funds to execute many of his initiatives, Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn claimed he found from savings $99, 725.49 to honour teachers present and past on March 16, 2013.
The event, which had some unfilled seats, took place at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex with a Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) Officer as escort and the Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith in attendance.
The information was made public following a question by veteran legislator and opposition member Honnourable Julian Fraser RA, to Minister Walwyn on April 25, 2013 at the eight sitting of the second session of the second House of Assembly.
Hon. Fraser, a consistent supporter of education, youths and teachers also wanted to know if the event would be annual. Hon. Walwyn told the HOA that “the event which was held on March 16, 2013 in honour of teachers at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex will be an annual event; however, each year the type of function that will be held will vary."
While the Minister revealed the unusually high price tag also included prizes given to the teachers who were selected as outstanding teachers, there was no breakdown to the public for the cost of items such as the catering, decorations, music, rental of tables and chairs and other costs.
It is not clear who were the persons that provided these services.
To justify this high price tag, the Minister told the house that the money was obtained through savings from the Ministry's youth development budget.
A retired teacher, who was honored and said he was a National Democratic Party supporter to the bone and who also spoke to this news site on condition of anonymity, was shocked when told of the cost of the awards dinner. “Oh my god you are not serious?...and the young people in the BVI are in such need of help and programmes, how could he have savings when the young people are crying out for support?...but all I can say is, I work all my adult life as a teacher both here, the states and in St Thomas and never heard so much money being spent to honour teachers, but I still was happy to be recognised as the VIP never did that for me,” the retired treacher remarked.
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92 Responses to “UPDATE: More questions surface on overspending on teachers' gala”
You think Mr. Andrew Fahie could have gotten away with this??? Man all the talk shows and the NDP media sites Platinum, BVI News, Zan at ZBVI and Comwell on his talk show would have had a field day…opps I forgot the BVI Beacon..and Ellu would have found energy for a talk show…set of one sided hypocrites...this is why I keep loving VINO, the only objective site left
Trust me, we need to find another alternative! You really don't want the UK to take over... You would be so sorry if that had to happen, especially knowing that most of them do not favour bl@*k people. Trust me on that... I am talking from experience. So please think before you speak.
Second Myron this is clearly a waste and misuse of public funds on such a dinner. I will love to get the names of the caterer and the names of the staff serving and working at this event and where the food came from….too much corruption in this little country.
Now I am clear why Archi Christian & his NDP fellows want to cut down the number of questions his government has to answer from the Opposition because the NDP has a lot to hide especially in the millions. To think that they (NDP) calling themselves the government in the sunshine!
That's just sad!
I am so disappointed that even under the NDP the massive mis management of funds continues none stop and 100 g for a dinner is just simply unacceptable and ridiculous and needs the UK to step in!!!!
Those were the days, my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way
La la la la la la
La la la la la la
Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away.
Now it looks as though they're here to stay.
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
Suddenly,
I'm not half the man I used to be,
There's a shadow hanging over me,
Oh, yesterday came suddenly.
Yesterday, love was such an easy game to play.
Now I need a place to hide away.
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
1. corruption and criminality are the order of the day in the BVI and
2. it applies equally to both NDP and VIP.
Thank you and Goodbye.
If those same 200 teachers were asked if they would prefer a lovely dinner out with "over the top" decorations, on the government tab ~ OR ~ a $500.00 bonus in their pay package, guess which one they would have chosen!
Confucius comes on here everyday acting big and bright and can't damn well read. The dinner was for 400 Teachers and each were allowed to bring someone. They also had special guests. The dinner had around 700+ people and was catered for at the multisports complex which was transformed. The article is trying to compare an event for 200 people costing 12,000 to this one. But the article doesn't say what type of event it was and what was involved. The teacher dinner involved equipment rental, decor, food and drink catering, awards etc. and to me was well worth it. READ before puffing your chest boss. Nobody said a dinner for 200 cost $100K. You never was on here when VIP was #$$% up our money but now you got mouth. Go siddung!!
BUT ~ it would still work out to a reasonable bonus per teacher and I do believe most would have preferred the cash to this ostentatious dinner.
Even if there were double the teachers this year, how do you justify this year's event costing more than 8 times the 2012 event, given our financial condition?
I agree that our teachers deserve recognition. But was this really the best use of $99,425.45.
And I have NO allegiance to the VIP or NDP. I dislike all of them equally and think they have all done a pretty poor job in recent years. So I will remain standing as long as I please ~ thank you very much!
If wonder if M....n paid himself, Hmm.... Got to be!!!