During the past few days many teachers across the Virgin Islands participated in a silent sick out, resulting in the closure of both Primary and Secondary schools.
On Wednesday October 27th more than 50% of the Elmore Stoutt Junior High School teachers called in sick. The following day Thursday October 28th, Senior School teachers of the same institution despite being online, also called in sick. Yesterday Friday October 29th, Primary School teachers joined in solidarity and support of their colleagues and also called in sick, forcing almost all Primary Schools in the territory to be closed.
Our newsroom has been reliably informed by senior education officials in the Ministry of Education that the Government of the Virgin Islands through its Human Resources Department within the Ministry of Education will not be paying those teachers who were absent on the day without notice or reason along with the submission of the requisite leave form.
Minister of Education Dr. Hon. Natalio Wheatley on Thursday evening engaged teachers in an online meeting to hear their concerns yet teachers do not seem satisfied and it is unclear if the sick out may continue into next week.
More to come as the story develops.