Calypsonian Mighty Sparrow sang, “Children, go to school and learn well; otherwise, later in life, you will catch real hell.” In the Virgin Islands, eight years or more have passed with officials talking about where to locate a new high school and possible trade school. But development doesn’t necessarily mean a new building at all times. Look around Tortola: There are plenty of abandoned and unfinished buildings. Education officials could negotiate with the property owners.
The late H. Lavity Stoutt, the territory’s first chief minister, did his job hoping to see his people develop and succeed. Projects were finished on time as stated. Now, the race for status seems to be the main concern. Residents and officials must sit and think, and be sensitive to the facts.
Having a high school at Paraquita Bay would only cause tension with the college. Some high school children are childish and can be malicious. These days, youth issues are being interpreted by the wrong people for the wrong reasons. If the love does not come first, nothing else is going to work.
I believe that things can be worked out at the Elmore Stoutt High School’s present location. You cannot have too many people saying, “We need,” and then taking money and rushing to nowhere. I can see that the best person to handle this matter is the education minister. The issue should also be discussed with principals, teachers and students. I never heard the staff and students complain of needing a new school. They usually complain about wanting air-conditioning and toiletries.
The existing ESHS buildings are still pretty strong. I can see guardrails and stairs being repaired, and a possible extension to the office, which is currently too narrow for business. The ESHS has moved up a notch and has provided the senior students with a number of career choices. But the practical work seems a bit behind.
‘Basic tools’
To interest students, basic tools could be purchased, like blood pressure monitors, dental equipment, kitchen utensils and gardening tools, and practical subjects like first aid and fire safety could be taught. There are nurses at the school, and local experts could come in and offer their services.
It was announced that there are plans to get 12 smart boards at ESHS at a cost of $5,000 each. My personal research does not tell me that these devices will make any major difference in the classrooms. Maybe two can be used as demonstrations.
I say this because I have seen much donated equipment and promises over the years come to a halt: computers locked up, steel pans abandoned, after-school activities dropped, and healthy eating initiatives that never came to life. Though parents and community members are helping, we have energetic professionals, and I would wish to see good old-fashioned teaching remain in the schools.
After high school and college graduation, the youths have to eat bread. But the public sector has decided to close the doors of employment in the midst of the world economic dilemma.
There is a daily cash flow coming from other transactions in the public sector throughout the VI. The youths of today are very talented, and jobs have to be created to suit their needs. Public officials cannot sit in offices all day and depend on a ship to come in. The territory as a whole must learn to embrace its own, or someone else will gladly use their assets.