by Felicia Felix, contributing reporter/photographer
(STX, September 22, 2023).
CHS and SCEC High School students joined in protest against inhumane, unfit school campus conditions and voice demands to DOE
CHS and SCEC High School students joined in protest against inhumane, unfit school campus conditions and voice demands to DOE. Photo credit: F. FelixAfter more than 4 days of protests, students from St. Croix Central High school marched westward towards St. Croix Educational Complex grounds to join their sister high school in a peaceful display against inhumane campus conditions chronically ignored by the Department of Education.
Parents, teachers, students, and supporters rallied against the unsafe, oppressive, and intolerable school conditions in their respective schools and across the Big Island.
Demands for action to provide a conducive learning environment for our young students and better work conditions for teachers drove protestors to take a stand.
Numerous outcries against a barrage of issues such as no running water, unavailability of textbooks, sewage problems, hot classrooms without AC, no drinking water, broken bathrooms, leaking roofs, missing floor tiles, lack of school equipment, insufficient school personnel, and more were addressed.
According to complaints by protestors, “It is the hope that by taking this overdue stance against this injustice, the VI Department of Education and VI Government will take accountability and correct this broken and faulty public education system.”
This is a very in-depth post, you did a lot of extend research. Are teachers assured protection by their union? Do students enjoy safeguards within educational policies?
This is very important to cover. kids deserve to have a safe learning environment; I hope these students are able to be heard.
It kind of baffles me that we still have these issues going on. I hope the issues are rectified sooner than later so the kids can learn in a comfortable space
I am so certain that I posted this comment before.
Honestly, if there was no disaster that flew by, conditions like these as mentioned in the education system should not be. Our students are the future. Each school should be fully functional. I am glad that voices were heard and hope they would make a difference.
I am so certain that I posted this comment before. However, it disappeared or I must be tripping somehow.
Honestly, if there was no disaster that flew by, conditions like these as mentioned in the education system should not be. Our students are the future. Each school should be fully functional. I am glad that voices were heard and hope they would make a difference.
Being a high school student is hard enough but adding insult to injury is shameful. We are responsible for fighting for our kids, and I applaud the youth for standing up for their rights. Enough is enough.
I agree because students need to be able to voice their opinions because it’s their education !
Big ups to the students for doing their part. Not often you see this down here!!
The St. Croix Central High School and Educational Complex protest is historical. It is amazing that the students decided that enough was enough. They took action to make their voice heard. That is not easy. As a former student at Central High School, the conditions were not always optimal. The mold, the lack of AC, and disgusting bathroom conditions were unacceptable. In one class, we used a history textbook that was so old, Barack Obama was not listed in it as a U.S. President. I fully support this movement and hope the people responsible make a change!
Words from the incomparable, Bob Marley. “Get up stand up, stand up for your rights. Get up stand up, don’t give up the fight!” This long going crises is not hidden from the V.I. Board of Education. It’s sad the students were forced to voice a change. No student deserves this academia abuse.
This is a well detailed post, I am glad to see that the young adolescents are not afraid to stand for what’s right. Hopefully their issues get resolved soon.
I support the students and hope their voices are heard through these protest.
I am so sorry to hear about these conditions. So important to speak up and covering this story!
I find this heart breaking that these students have to fight for their basic needs to met. I am proud that these kids are able to come together and put their foot down. I hope this open government officials eyes and help these kids.
I love how the students have stood up for themselves through protesting. Sometimes you gotta make some noise for changes to be made!
Every student deserves a safe and conducive learning environment. It is disheartening to hear about these basic needs not being met in these schools. The students’ peaceful protests and demands for action are entirely justified. It is crucial for the Department of Education and the VI Government to address these issues promptly and ensure that students have access to the education they deserve.
Government officials should be held accountable. The heat index is problematic for class room instruction.
This story is interesting. Are the teachers guaranteed any protection from their union? Do the students have protections under any educational policies?
Such an important story to cover!! It’s good that they are protesting against these inhumane conditions.