Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 03, 2025

Elementary school teachers stage sickout protest

Elementary school teachers stage sickout protest

At least four primary schools in the territory were forced to call off school for the day, October 29, 2021, due to teachers staging a sickout protest.

The schools facing a shortage of teachers today are Althea Scatliffe Primary School, Francis Lettsome Primary School, Willard Wheatley Primary and Joyce Samuel Primary School.

The teachers are said to be standing in solidarity with the teachers of the Elmore Stoutt High School who have been demanding an immediate fix to issues affecting them.

An email sent to parents of children attending the Althea Scatliffe Primary School this morning stated: “We value the well-being of each student in our care and found it necessary to inform you that due to the high volume of absenteeism among our teachers there will be No school today. We are truly sorry for the inconvenience caused.”

An email sent to parents of children attending the Althea Scatliffe Primary School stated that due to the high volume of absenteeism among teachers there will be no school today.


‘No school can function’ without teachers- FLPS Principal


An email to parents from Francis Lettsome Primary School (FLPS) stated: " I am sure, you are aware that teachers have been taking sick days in solidarity for changes in the system that they have been hoping for for many years. It is their right to participate in the sick day for primary school teachers in support of their struggles as educators and the notion that they matter more than is apparent.

Parents I know you do appreciate teachers, and I am sure you all understand the struggles of teachers. So although this sick out day may affect your usual schedule, your peaceful support for our teachers in this effort, will go a long way in improving the education system through the body that fuels it. OUR TEACHERS, without whom no school can function. I will be on campus, but I cannot receive students without a staff as that will be a dangerous situation for our children."

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) reportedly met with some of the aggrieved teachers last night.


Education Minister meets with teachers


Teachers began their protest action on Wednesday, October 27, 2021, with a number of Junior School teachers of ESHS staging a sickout, followed by the Senior School teachers of ESHS staging a similar protest the next day.

Our newsroom was told that Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) met with some of the aggrieved teachers last night.

It is unclear what came out of that meeting.

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