Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 24, 2025

Former Education Minister Calls For Shift System, Not School Closures

Former Education Minister Calls For Shift System, Not School Closures

Former Minister for Education Myron Walwyn has called for the implementation of a shift system for schools as the territory and the rest of the world battles the Coronavirus Disease pandemic.

His call comes via a Facebook post on Tuesday where he expressed concerns over the closure of schools.

“A shift system (similar to what was done after [Hurricane] Irma) can be implemented to give students the support that they need while ensuring that the social distancing protocols and rules are strictly followed,” he wrote.

He added, “We must, of course, provide extensive training to the education ministry personnel to ensure proper supervision of the schools to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among the students and the faculty. It can be done!”

Why Are Schools Closed?


Walwyn then queried the reason for the closure of schools.

“I am concerned! We heard of one new case of COVID-19 which from the information provided, the situation is contained, and the necessary precautions are in place to keep it that way. It begs the question as to why is it necessary to keep schools in the BVI closed until October 31.

While online learning will provide some assistance, it is woefully inadequate for the current needs of most of our students from K-12. A blended approach of traditional instructions supplemented by the online contact will better serve our students,” he remarked.

Concerns for online learning

He said, there were several reasons why he is concerned with an ‘entirely online learning approach.”

He explained, “Students most often do not give full attention, if any, to the online lessons. They are very often distracted by other things that they find more entertaining. A significant portion of the work given to students is done by parents and other family members and not by the students. This doesn’t happen in every household, but it happens in many.”

He said in the case of special needs students and students with other learning difficulties; they will be at a severe disadvantage.

“These students need to be reached by teachers who are trained to handle their individual circumstances. This service most likely is not available at home.”

He also mentioned the unreliable internet service, access to computer devices, and other factors as reasons for his stance.

“Parents must also go to work to make a living and contribute to the development of the country. In addition to providing an education for our children, the school provides a place of safekeeping for children while their parents are at work," he stated.

The former Education Minister added, "This current Covid-19 situation should be a teachable moment for our young people. The protocols that will be put in place in the school environment will make them understand the seriousness of this disease and the importance of adhering to the rules and protocols that were put in place for our protection. Currently, many of our students who are left at home are not adhering to social distancing, are not wearing masks or sanitizing the way they should.”

He also pointed out that private schools should be allowed to operate as they have smaller numbers and the protocols can be better managed.

“This is in no way a criticism of the work being done by the government, and I wish for it not to be viewed in that light. I just think that more thought should be given to this and other policy positions being taken,” he concluded.

On August 1, Minister for Health Carvin Malone announced that a new Order was being enforced that would require schools to be closed.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Airlines Evaluate Flight Cancellations Amid Escalating US-Iran Tensions
Starmer Invites Innovators to Join Government Talent Scheme
UK Economy’s Strong Opening Quarter Shows Signs of Cooling
Harrods Seeks Court Order to Secure Al Fayed Estate for Victims
BA and Singapore Airlines Cancel Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Faces Backlash from MAGA Base Over Iran Strikes
Meta Bets $14 B on Alexandr Wang to Drive AI Ambitions
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
FedEx Founder Fred Smith, ‘Heart and Soul’ of the Company, Dies at 80
Chinese Factories Shift Away from U.S. Amid Trump‑Era Tariffs
Pimco Seizes Opportunity in Japan’s Dislocated Bond Market
Labubu Doll Drives Pop Mart to Status as China’s Most Valuable Toy Maker
Global Coal Demand Defies Paris Accord Goals
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
BBC Demands Perplexity AI Immediately Stop Using Its Content
Telegram Founder: I Will Leave My Fortune to Over 100 of My Children
Political Turmoil Resurfaces in Belgium Amid Economic Concerns
Fed policymakers divided on timing of interest rate cuts
Trump signals imminent agreement with Harvard University
Inheritance tax referendum alarms Swiss billionaire community
Japan cancels bilateral security meeting amid US defence demands
AI skeptic Emily Bender warns that ‘the emperor has no clothes’
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
×