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by pltm
Education Minister, Hon. Myron Walwyn, has called on his boss to seriously consider opening a trade school to specifically cater for young persons in the trade field.
Speaking on Friday afternoon, June 23, at the home of this year's top student of the national school leaving exams, the Virgin Islands School of Technical Studies (VISTS), Minister Walwyn said that the institution is not a trade school.
"It is important to note that this institution is not a trade school, and we do need a trade school Premier (Hon. Dr. Orlando Smith) – a skills training centre in the Territory for lifelong learners outside of the formal education system. And we have to do it," he said at the graduation ceremony on the school's campus in Baughers Bay.
"This institution is however a technical and vocational secondary school, and the diploma that these graduands will receive this afternoon is the exact same diploma as those received by the 159 students that graduated yesterday from the Elmore Stoutt High School...The only difference is that there was a stronger emphasis on technical and vocational programmes at this institution," he stated.
This is the first cohort of students to graduate from the school since it opened its door in September 2014. The school also produced this year's top student, Ms. Kierra John.
"I do not believe that anyone ever imagined that the top student in the Territory would come from this institution. But the top student in the Territory of the Virgin Islands is from this institution. Of the 228 students in Grade 12 across the Territory of the Virgin Islands, Kierra John from the Virgin Islands School of Technical Studies is number one," Hon. Walwyn said.
Principal of the school, Ms. Germaine Scatliffe, said that they started out with 39 students in September 2014, all who came from Elmore Stoutt High School with varying personalities, low self-esteem, and academic challenges. However, that number dwindled to 24 students in 2017.
"We celebrate only 8 students today, who have met four requirements for graduation and another 5, who only need to qualify with the exit Math exam. The majority of the remaining students only need one subject to fully meet the requirements for graduation."
(PLTM) - The Principal believes that her students have outdone the other secondary schools.
"Looking at what these students came from and have accomplished, it's greater than the percentage pass of the 33 percent. If we compare our performance to the top school, we would realize that our performance is greater in comparing our 4 percent high honour students to their 2 percent; and our 54 percent honour student to their 44 percent."
She added, "Did we not say that we took in these students with multiple issues and behavioral challenges. After three years of reconditioning their behavior, and grooming them to be respectful, and disciplined, they have come to realize that change is necessary for growth and productivity."
The Principal explained that the structure of the programmes is no different from the other secondary schools.
"...And they are required to perform at the same level in preparation for CXC in their academic subjects. However, these students have the advantage over the students in the other secondary schools, in that they will be more skilled; ready to move into the place of work and on to tertiary education. They received on the job training...The level of work these students are exposed to is hard work and not easy work."
She also congratulated John.
"Kierra has shown that technical vocation is not only for the weak, but all students with a passion for technical studies. This institution has done a great job in balancing the academic subjects and support for the technical programmes, and this should be enhanced and the ball should not be dropped to degrade the value of these programmes," Scatliffe stated.
John, in her valedictorian remarks, spoke strongly about determination and being disciplined. She also thanked her teachers and parents, specifically her mother. A teary John related that her mother has been her motivation.
The students were required to have passes in four core subjects---Maths, English, Social Science and General Science. They were required to have passes in two vocational subjects, and passes in three industry subjects (financial services, tourism, customer service). They were also required to pass one elective.
Collectively, those subjects allowed the graduating students to receive a maximum of 75 credits, or a minimum of 60 over a three-year span from Grades 10-12.
The students were required to sit and pass the proficiency exams of Maths and English, and were also required to do 120 hours of community service.
The eight students who graduated were Ms. John; Janyka Jennings; Shakeeda Castello; Kiarah Daniel; Shaquille Pont Jr.; Lenox Matthew Jr.; Tyler Frederick Jackson; and La'Qhoy Reid.
Other speakers at the event included Premier Smith and keynote speaker, Pastor Henderson Tittle. It was chaired by Mrs. Judith Vanterpool.
