Principal Elmore Stoutt asked the students of the VI Technical and Vocational Institute to walk away from deviant behaviour. Photo: VINO

Students of the VI Technical and Vocational Institute as they listened keenly to the new principal, Mr Elmore Stoutt, earlier today, September 11, 2012 at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall. Photo: VINO

The school is currently being accommodated at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall as a result of construction work being done at its original location in Baugher’s Bay. 

Newly appointed principal of the Institute, Mr Elmore Stoutt introduced the students to the faculty and new surroundings and gave remarks to them regarding how they should conduct themselves during the course of the academic year. 

“This is our setting,” Stoutt declared, “and it also belongs to other people, so we’ve got to take care of it.” 

Stoutt, a former truancy officer, also spoke of the need for punctuality and the issue of taking responsibility for actions.

He exhorted the students to be virtuous and to beware of the dangers of drugs and sex saying that there were expectations of them that they needed to meet. 

Principal Stoutt explained that any criminal charges may lead to them being tried as adults, as a result, he commanded that the students “walk away from any, deviant behaviour.” 

I know you have friends, Mr Stoutt told the students, but they have to influence you for the better and not for the worse. 

The new principal also made it clear that there would be a zero tolerance policy with regard to gangs and other delinquent behaviour. “We’re gonna break that spell, we’re gonna leave the past, and we’re gonna look forward,” Stoutt said. He added that “You need some academic food now too!” 

Acting Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Education and Culture, Dr Marcia Potter who also spoke during the ceremony, endorsed the words of Mr Stoutt saying that even though the conditions weren’t ideal at the current location, students needed to play their part in achieving their goals. 

Dr Potter encouraged them to ensure that they are doing what they need to be doing to make others proud of them, asking them to make time to think on this and to ensure that they are making the right decisions. 

She added that innovative solutions needed to be found for existing problems noting that the Ministry wants to make technical education a part of its central focus; the Acting PS also reminded the students that a Technical High School is currently in the works. 

“We have your back,” Dr Potter told the students, “and we are willing to give all the support that we can, so that you can be comfortable.”