HON. ANDREW FAHIE GIVES ACCOUNT OF STEWARDSHIP

Representative D-1 and Minister of Education and Culture Hon. Andrew Fahie continues
to give account of his stewardship over the last four years.
During a press conference hosted by his ruling Virgin Islands Party on Monday, he
reported on the various initiatives he embarked on, including the granting of some
40 scholarships to residents of the 1st District, implementing a bus service from
the HLS Community College to the 1st District, establishing afternoon programmes for
over 60 young people to take part in craft, computers, course subjects and a library
programme.
“As the Representative of the 1st District, I also ensured that we fixed many of our
drains,” Hon. Fahie said. “I know there is much more work to be done…but four years
ago they were in dire need of repairs, but now the roads are re-surfaced and
properly maintained.”
The Minister said he also worked to create and improve recreational areas, he
supported and fought for the rights of spear gun fishermen, extended the supply of
public water, repaired the dock at Towers and he has sponsored and coached softball
and basketball teams and supported other sporting organizations.
He said his future plans call for the strengthening of the after school programme,
expanding and modernizing the facilities at the West End jetty, a beautification
programme, supplying manpower through the District scholarship programme, continuing
the transportation system, paving the alternate road at Cox Heath, providing access
roads for farmers and supporting the senior citizens programme. 
Hon. Fahie said efforts will also be made to preserve the BVI’s cultural heritage,
create public parks throughout the District, continue the District’s reclamation
programme and fix the fisherman’s ramp in Carrot Bay. 
In terms of his stewardship as Minister, he noted that the education system has come
under much fire during this election campaign. “I am fully aware of some of the
problems, but there are plenty more positives than negatives and I am proud of the
system and the work teachers and staff have been doing.”
The Education Minister outlined plans to develop a comprehensive 10-year
modernization plan for education, review education legislation relating to daycare
centres, truancy etc., establishing a Code of Conduct for students and teachers and
launch a National Curriculum project.
There are also plans to continue teacher training, expand the wireless computer
technology programme started at the Willard Wheatley Primary School, outfit schools
with computer labs with the help of IBM, continue the school fencing and repair
programme and improving playground equipment in schools.
He reaffirmed plans by government to repair Block G at the BVI High School and start
a new building in early 2004 and repairing the roof and adding classrooms at the
Bregado Flax Educational Centre.
The programme for education also includes funding of a master’s scholarship
programme and expanding the foreign language programme to add French to the existing
Spanish classes by the year 2010. 
Other initiatives outlined include the Alternate Education Programme, plans to start
a technical school and provide home mortgage loans for teachers. 
The other VIP candidate present at the press conference was Dr. Clinton George, a
veterinarian who is trying to unseat incumbent Dr. the Hon. Kedrick Pickering in
District 7. 
“One of my main focus is to assist the youths,” he began. He noted that there are a
few young boys in the community who dropped out of school and are not privileged to
have meaningful employment.
“I am advocating the establishment of a trade school in the 7th District and to have
them enrolled to provide them with meaningful occupation, a sense of direction and
skill for them, in turn making them productive citizens in the community,” Dr.
George said.
He pledged to also have in place counseling sessions in conjunction with Sandy Lane
Centre, have job assignments for them on completion and provide scholarships for
them.
Turning to agriculture, the former Chief Veterinary Officer and Deputy Chief
Agricultural Officer said the significance and potential of this sector is yet to be
realized.
“I will fight to see more land become available to farmers, provide more incentives
for farmers in the line of feed subsidies and the removal of import duty on
agricultural produce,” the VIP Candidate promised. He also promised to establish an
agricultural depot for farmers.
He said he sees agriculture as becoming the third pillar of the economy, in addition
to tourism and financial services. He sees the possibility of setting up poultry
processing plants to generate funds and feed the people.
Responding to questions from the media, both candidates, while they did not downplay
their opponents in their respective Districts, expressed confidence in victory at
the polls on June 16th.