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STX Students Lack Basic Needs

The hourly reported humidity comfort level, for USVI is ‘miserable.’ NOTE: school hours are included in this data. https://weatherspark.com/h/y/150287/2023/Historical-Weather-during-2023-in-U.S.-Virgin-Islands

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.

Students at the John H. Woodson Junior High School on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023 chanted “AC!” as unbearable heat impacts learning in classrooms without air conditioning units. Reprinted from V.I. CONSORTIUM

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.”

19 responses to “STX Students Lack Basic Needs”

  1. Calyse Avatar
    Calyse

    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?

    Reply
  2. Nico Marquise Thomas Avatar
    Nico Marquise Thomas

    This is very important to cover. kids deserve to have a safe learning environment; I hope these students are able to be heard.

    Reply
  3. Nate Carroll Avatar
    Nate Carroll

    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

    Reply
  4. Cheryl Hendricks Thomas Avatar
    Cheryl Hendricks Thomas

    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.

    Reply
  5. Cheryl Hendricks Thomas Avatar
    Cheryl Hendricks Thomas

    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.

    Reply
  6. Felisha Avatar
    Felisha

    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.

    Reply
  7. Will Steger Avatar
    Will Steger

    I agree because students need to be able to voice their opinions because it’s their education !

    Reply
  8. Hunter Avatar
    Hunter

    Big ups to the students for doing their part. Not often you see this down here!!

    Reply
  9. Indeyah Todman Avatar
    Indeyah Todman

    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!

    Reply
  10. S.D. Rosenbloom Avatar
    S.D. Rosenbloom

    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.

    Reply
  11. Sydney T. Avatar
    Sydney T.

    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.

    Reply
  12. Jadah Avatar
    Jadah

    I support the students and hope their voices are heard through these protest.

    Reply
  13. sarah Avatar
    sarah

    I am so sorry to hear about these conditions. So important to speak up and covering this story!

    Reply
  14. Yari Avatar
    Yari

    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.

    Reply
  15. Angelique Avatar
    Angelique

    I love how the students have stood up for themselves through protesting. Sometimes you gotta make some noise for changes to be made!

    Reply
  16. Kyra Avatar
    Kyra

    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.

    Reply
  17. Taylor Avatar
    Taylor

    Government officials should be held accountable. The heat index is problematic for class room instruction.

    Reply
  18. Toi Avatar
    Toi

    This story is interesting. Are the teachers guaranteed any protection from their union? Do the students have protections under any educational policies?

    Reply
  19. Anne Andersen Avatar
    Anne Andersen

    Such an important story to cover!! It’s good that they are protesting against these inhumane conditions.

    Reply

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