Politics

Gov’t to tackle low wages as teacher resignations shakeup education system

Published

2 years ago

February 10, 2023

Editor

By MERRICK ANDREWS
Online News Editor

In light of the “alarming number of resignations” since the start of this school year, Education Minister Sharie de Castro said she is committed to “firmly” representing the views of teachers in relation to the payment of their outstanding increments and the review of their salary packages.

Speaking at Friday’s House of Assembly of sitting, Minister de Castro revealed details surrounding Thursday’s meeting and how she plans to move forward with the feedback she obtained from the educators from that meeting.

“Madam Speaker, on Friday 3rd, February 2022, I received a letter for the BVI Teacher’s Union
regarding the payment of outstanding increments. Upon receiving the letter, I immediately
contacted the union to request a meeting with the intention to hear directly from teachers so that their concerns could be effectively articulated and represented.

“The meeting was held on Thursday, 9th February 2023 and was very productive in achieving the expected outcome and I have committed firmly to representing the views of teachers in relation to both the payment of outstanding increments as well as prioritization of teachers in the compensation review process that is currently ongoing,” she disclosed.

She further stated that the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports met with the consultants spearheading this compensation and reclassification project last Wednesday and articulated the Ministry’s position of firm reconsideration of salaries for educators in the territory as a matter of urgency. On that same day, the minister said she also met with the consultants in her role as a legislator and supported the position of the Ministry in relation to educators.

She said that due consideration must be given to the cries of teachers and the value of
education to the economy of the Virgin Islands, adding that education is arguably the most important profession in our society.

The Ministry aims to build teachers that are highly qualified and adequately compensated, de Castro noted.

At present, she said the territory is losing teachers to other countries and industries due to low rate of pay, the increased cost of living, compensation offered in other countries, insufficient and outdated resources, and a challenging work environment, “just to name
a few”.

She explained: “Case in point, Madam Speaker, in the neighbouring United States Virgin Islands, Governor Albert Bryan recently announced that the entry level teacher salary would be raised to $50,000.00, commencing in August, 2023; our starting salary for a Teacher Grade IV is about $34,600.00.

“Madam Speaker, I implore us all to think carefully about the potential ramifications and impact of such a decision on our education system and, more specifically, our current teacher complement. Consideration for varying approaches to facilitate teacher retention is absolutely critical at this time.

“Madam Speaker, I referenced the change in salary in the USVI; however, in Texas, the largest
state in the US, the starting salary is now set at $61,500.00 per annum, with the entry level
requirements being as simple as the possession of a Bachelor’s degree in any subject area, with
the allowance of one or two years to achieve certification. According to the University of Texas at Arlington, in 2020-2021 academic year, Texas hired a high of about 376,000 teachers, and about 12% left that same year. In addition, more than 8,500 teachers retired in 2021, about 1,000 more than in 2020. This is just a brief example to show where the Virgin Islands has no intention of going.”

The minister revealed that the Ministry has already received an alarming number of resignations since the start of this school year. She said if teachers continue to leave the profession, the immediate and long-term impacts would be gravely felt throughout the territory.

“I ask this Honourable House to recall with me, the impact of the devastating hurricanes of 2017 on the education system of these Virgin Islands. Although our schools were greatly damaged, arrangements were made to ensure the continuity of learning. Even though we all experienced the trauma of the devastation, our teachers were able to deal with their own challenges and those of their students and teaching and learning continued.

“Madam Speaker, in 2020, we experienced the impact of a global pandemic through which our
teachers had to be rapidly trained to use the online platform to continue the instruction of our
students. In addition to that, Madam Speaker, our teachers had to monitor the learning of their own children, while providing instruction to their students, simultaneously.

“Madam Speaker, it would be remiss of me to not speak to higher salaries for teachers when
speaking about the value of education to our Virgin Islands’ economy. The demands on the
educator have increased significantly with regard to professional development, monitoring and evaluation, the initiation of Professional Learning Communities and the implementation of S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) education as mechanisms of upgrading the system and making it more innovative and competitive.

“Madam Speaker, at this juncture, I must emphatically emphasize that, based on these demands, and more, there must be a thrust for higher pay for our teachers. Research indicates that there are several benefits of providing higher salaries for teachers. Increasing the pay of teachers strengthens the pipeline. It is understandable that low compensation for teachers discourages our own from entering the profession. It is my firm belief, Madam Speaker, that raising teacher salaries will improve the quality of our future workforce.

“In addition to strengthening the pipeline, higher teacher pay will keep our teachers in the classroom and decrease turnover. Madam Speaker, the low rate of pay for teachers has led and continues to lead them to consider second and third jobs in order to make ends meet. Madam Speaker, we need our teachers to focus on teaching, on building our future,” she explained.

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Local News

Opposition Members Meet With Governor to Voice Concerns Over Law Enforcement Review

Published

2 weeks ago

April 29, 2025

Editor

Three members of His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition met with His Excellency, Governor Daniel Pruce, on Monday, April 28, to raise what they described as “serious concerns” regarding the recently published Criminal Law Enforcement Review and the Commission of Inquiry.

The two-hour meeting was attended by Hon. Myron Walwyn, Leader of the Opposition and Sixth District Representative; Hon. Melvin “Mitch” Turnbull, Second District Representative; and Hon. Stacy Mather, At-Large Representative and Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly. The Opposition members said the meeting was a vital opportunity to present the views of Virgin Islands residents at the highest level of government.

“We were glad for this opportunity to raise concerns from the public with respect to the Criminal Law Enforcement Review,” Hon. Walwyn said in a statement issued after the meeting. “His Excellency listened intently and gave us the assurance that the concerns raised on behalf of the people of the Virgin Islands will be given much consideration.”

Among the key issues raised was the Opposition’s strong disagreement with a recommendation that the Governor re-specify his powers under Section 60 of the Virgin Islands Constitution. That section outlines the Governor’s authority over external affairs, defense, internal security, and the public service.

The Opposition also objected to a proposal that would transfer responsibility for customs and immigration from the local government to the Governor’s office. They insisted that these matters remain under the control of locally elected officials.

Additionally, members voiced firm opposition to any suggestion that sea ports and airports on the sister islands be closed — a recommendation they argue would severely impact the local economy and increase the vulnerability of residents in those areas.

“The matters addressed in the Criminal Law Enforcement Review have significant implications for the governance and the future of law enforcement in our territory,” the Opposition said in a joint statement. “It is therefore critical that the voice of the people is heard and carefully considered in any reforms that are proposed.”

The meeting comes as Virgin Islands authorities continue to weigh a series of recommendations emerging from both the law enforcement review and the 2022 Commission of Inquiry, which examined allegations of corruption and poor governance.

Opposition members said they remain committed to ensuring that “transparency, fairness, and respect for the rights and aspirations of the Virgin Islands people remain at the forefront of any ongoing or future reforms.”

Governor Pruce has not yet issued a public statement regarding the meeting.

Local News

Myron Walwyn Sworn in as Leader of the Opposition in the British Virgin Islands

Published

2 months ago

March 24, 2025

Editor

Sixth District Representative Honourable Myron V. Walwyn has officially been sworn in as Leader of His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition by Governor Daniel Pruce. The ceremony, which took place ahead of the House of Assembly (HoA) sitting on Monday, March 24, marks a significant shift in the political landscape of the British Virgin Islands.

Walwyn’s appointment follows a formal request submitted to the Governor on Friday, March 21, by members of the recently formed opposition faction known as “The Alliance.” The letter, signed by Walwyn, Second District Representative Honourable Melvin M. Turnbull, and Honourable Stacy R. Mather, called for Walwyn to replace Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton as Opposition Leader. The Governor accepted the request in accordance with Section 70(5) of the British Virgin Islands Constitution, which allows opposition members to determine their leader by majority vote.

With The Alliance holding a majority within the Opposition, surpassing Skelton of the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) and Eighth District Representative Honourable Marlon A. Penn of the National Democratic Party (NDP), the transition was all but assured. This realignment comes in the wake of internal disagreements within PVIM, particularly over a recent attempt by Skelton and Penn to dissolve PVIM and integrate its members into the NDP. That effort led to a rift within the Opposition, prompting Mather and Turnbull to shift their support away from Skelton.

The political maneuvering has raised speculation about potential challenges from Skelton or Penn in response to the change in leadership. However, for now, Walwyn assumes his role as Opposition Leader, with the responsibility of unifying the bloc amid ongoing internal divisions.

Meanwhile, the ruling Virgin Islands Party (VIP), led by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley, continues to maintain its eight-seat majority in the HoA. With the Opposition now under new leadership, political analysts will be watching closely to see how Walwyn steers his faction in the months ahead.

Local News

`Alliance’ Moves to Unseat Skelton as Opposition Leader Ahead of HoA Sitting

Published

2 months ago

March 22, 2025

Editor

Yet another political shift about to take effect in the British Virgin Islands as the recently formed “Alliance” has made moves to have Sixth District representative Honourable Myron V. Walwyn unseat and replace Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton as Leader of the Opposition, just days before the House of Assembly (HoA) convenes on Monday, March 24.

On Friday, March 21, Alliance members Walwyn, Second District Representative Melvin M. Turnbull and Stacy R. Mather, submitted a letter to Governor Daniel Pruce requesting Walwyn’s appointment as Opposition Leader. It is our information that the Governor has accepted the request in accordance with Section 70 subsection 5 of the British Virgin Islands Constitution, which permits opposition members to elect their leader by majority vote.

PVIM At-Large Candidate Stacy 'Buddha' Mather

Hon. Stacy R. Mather,

The Alliance, holds a majority within the Opposition, surpassing the two remaining members—Skelton of the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) and Eighth District Representative Marlon A. Penn (R8) of the National Democratic Party (NDP). With this shift in alignment, Walwyn is expected to be sworn in as the new Opposition Leader during Monday’s HoA sitting, alongside the appointment of a new Deputy Speaker.

The leadership change follows recent attempts by Skelton and Penn to dissolve PVIM and integrate its members into the NDP. This move has deepened divisions within the Opposition, with Skelton losing the support of Mather and Turnbull, who were previously aligned with him under PVIM.

The development raises key questions: will Skelton and or Penn seek to challenge move of unseating Skelton?

The ruling Virgin Islands Party (VIP), led by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley, currently holds a solid eight-seat majority in the HoA. The new opposition bloc, now to be under Walwyn’s leadership, will need to address internal divisions and work to redefine its role in the territory’s governance.

The developments will be closely monitored when the HoA sits on Monday, as Walwyn is likely to assumes his new role amid a rapidly changing political landscape.