House of Assembly was in committee Friday afternoon debating an amendment to the Education Act that would allow government to move forward with its plan to add an additional year to the public school system.
Opposition Leader Ralph O’Neal also laid on the table the final Public Accounts Committee report on the cruise pier development, making the 1,000-page report a public document.
Although Andrew Fahie (R-D1) moved to debate the report Friday, the motion was defeated, with Premier Dr. Orlando Smith promising that the report would be debated after legislators have had time to read it.
During the public portion of the debate, Education and Culture Minister Myron Walwyn said the amendment — which creates advisory committees for schools and allows for electronic recordkeeping, among other changes — will also help Virgin Islands obtain international accreditation.
Julian Fraser (R-D3) said he was concerned with language in the draft amendment that would allow the minister to levy fees on public school students.
“Public schools should not be charging tuition,” Mr. Fraser said.
Mr. Walwyn responded that there are no immediate plans to charge tuition at public schools. However, he said that it’s important for the legislative framework to exist in case the need arises for some students to pay fees as schools grow.
“Circumstances change,” Mr. Walwyn said, adding that in some Caribbean countries, foreign children already are charged to attend public schools.
Legislators re-ordered their agenda for the day, so the long list of questions and answers slated for this session will follow the vote on the Education Act.