Parents frustrated by minister’s responses
(CNS): Parents’ frustrations were unleashed yesterday evening after thousands of them tuned into the press briefing Wednesday with hopes of hearing Education Minister Juliana O’Connor-Connolly answer questions and set out the plan for keeping the children of Cayman learning during the COVID-19 curfew. But most were left disappointed with the minister’s responses, which they said were woefully inadequate.
Hundreds of parents of children, young and old, in private and public schools, responded to a CNS request for feedback about the minister’s presentation. Not many were satisfied with what they heard.
Several believed O’Connor-Connolly had dodged the key questions they want answered and few felt any better informed after the briefing. But there was considerable support for teachers, and many accepted the difficulties and uncertainties of the current situation. Some parents said this was a time of “crisis learning” and could not compare to the usual school curriculum.
In her presentation the education minister, who joined the press briefing by video link, read prepared answers to the questions that had been sent into the Department of Education Services (DES), which are posted in full below.
O’Connor-Connolly said the schools could not close now for the summer break and then re-open in the summer given the need for older students to sit exams at that time. But she was less certain about when the schools were likely to re-open, despite previous indications from Premier Alden McLaughlin that it was not going to be before the start of the new academic year, which would likely be in September.
The minister accepted that there was some serious inequities in learning at present, given the diverse circumstances of children, but she said the teachers and DES were doing what they could to assist. She urged parents to complete the survey that has been circulated to those with children in all government schools and to collect or arrange for delivery of the learning packets that remain at the schools.
O’Connor-Connolly also encouraged parents to engage directly with the schools where their children attend and their teachers. But she stressed that when school does eventually resume, it will not be ‘business as usual’, and there will be significant challenges for children as a result of this interruption to learning.
Many of the questions for the minister were from parents with kids in private schools who are paying full fees but feel the online offerings from schools vary greatly.
While some are in a position to pay the fees, there are concerns now from many Caymanian parents, especially those with younger children in private schools, who feel they are being taken advantage of. That was compounded this week when some schools sent out forms asking for the down-payment for the 20/21 academic year.
Some parents are struggling to pay the monthly full fees because in some cases both have lost their jobs, and many have complained directly to CNS and all over social media that they getting very little support or online learning for their kids from the schools, even though they are still demanding monthly fees.
But the DES has advised against pulling children from those schools to enroll them in the public system because the department is not able to deal with new students at present. If parents pull their children from private schools or they are expelled for non-payment, their only option now is home schooling, and to do that they must register with the DES and meet the criteria.
The minister said she was seeking a legal opinion relating to private schools and the obligations they have to provide alternative learning, but she was not clear about what that would cover. More generally, her advice to all parents facing challenges with children in private schools was to engage directly with the leaders of those schools.
Full Education Ministry Q&A for press briefing on 15 April
See Wednesday’s press briefing below, set to start at the education minister’s Q&A.
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Category: Education, Local News
For private schools – Parents need to be given the choice of if they want to accept the on-line classes. If they do not, they should not have to pay fees. Corona virus is causing a lot of lost jobs and income to almost every business. Schools either need to dip into reserves or apply for government assistance where possible that is available to other small business etc via loans or grants.
Private schools are taking advantage of COVID19 pandemic and are being less than truthful. I agree that teachers should be compensated, that’s part of the story. What is happening to all the savings in utility bills, security, maintenance, janitorial, office supplies etc? Why aren’t these savings passed on to struggling parents?
By this logic, all employers whose staff are not allowed in the offices should be giving their staff a bonus, their customers a discount, or both.
PS – teachers living expenses have increased by having to work from home, just like everyone else’s.
WTF?
Just how much do you think this amounts to, say over a 2 month period? Let’s say 20k utilities, 20k cleaning, 10k security and supplies. Those estimates are at the ripe end and thats just 50k. In a school of 900 students thats a rebate of $55 a student. Or $ 27.50 a month. Is that what you were thinking?
That’s two bottles of Monkey Bay right there
Ju Ju is the crisis in education. And to think she was the Premier at one time -OMG
Incompetent. That’s all.
Too many questions, not enough answers. To be fair, things are extremely fluid at this time, and there is a lot more uncertainty (with good reason) than certainty. Similar to the first days after Ivan hit. Even then, it took a while to assess matters, understand what you’re dealing with, etc. I would argue that today’s situation is far worse, as we have no idea what we’re truly facing.
It is no wonder then that the people listening in to the Education Minister were highly unsatisfied with her answers… In times of peace and calm, one can ignore the usual incompetence, puzzlement, inaction, lack of answers, etc. But in times of crises, when you’re sitting at home wondering when you can go back to work, when you’re not sure if your family can survive this, and you’re listening to someone being paid to lead, and to show leadership, stumble and mumble and be as incoherent as one can be, this is unforgivable – and people will start calling for your head!
Except, except, this is the Cayman Islands, land of the amnesiacs! And soon enough, once this blows over, incompetence will once again be rewarded with election to the highest office. As such, some day, Land that time forgot will become reality – and not the pleasant false imagery that this saying now still evokes.
ETH There is always your homeland. Be patient.
Not sure if this is a criticism, or not… If it is, you’re absolutely correct…there is always homeland. And to be perfectly honest, homeland in many ways is not much better. Corruption exists, just like in the Cayman Islands, politicians are no better or worse, some are better liars, some are worse. And I criticize them just as much for their complete ineptitude, shenanigans, etc… The thing with the Cayman Islands… the Cayman Islands have some very competent people, far better than the ones that you keep electing and reelecting over again. So I am not sure why some of these clowns keep getting into office, and why the people keep voting them in. I have an idea, but to do nothing about it, over and over again is pure foolishness. What the Cayman Islands need are for people to stand up for themselves, to tell government what it is that they want and need, and to stop excusing graft, corruption and crime because it’s their cousins, or uncles, or neighbours. Wrong is wrong. I don’t like the French much (even though I speak the language), but I can tell you that I have a lot of respect for them when they walk out en masse and shut down the country because they’re dissatisfied with the way that things are going… At any rate, respect, and keep safe.
Caymanian don’t walk anywhere but from house to car and car to bar.
THIS —> “…stop excusing graft, corruption and crime because it’s their cousins, or uncles, or neighbours.”
But Caymanians do not understand the concept of corruption because their brethren would never do that!!
Lol. Some parents getting a real taste of what their little angels are really like. Next time teacher calls your home, be respectful.
Day 1 Diary Entry
At home with Jamal and Lakisha. Having a nice day off. Sun is shining, skies are blue.
Great time watching t.v. together as a family. Popcorn tastes heavenly.
Day 2 Diary Entry
Can’t get enough of my little angels. Should have had one more. Yo universe, best kids in the world!!! B_ _ches!
Day 3 Diary Entry
Asked Jamal nicely to stop bothering Lakisha. Ten times in the last minute. Asked Lakisha to be more understanding. Keeps smacking Jamal over the head every time he gets near.
Day 4. Diary Entry
Won’t stop chasing each other round the house. Killa nearly tore a chunk out of them. How many times do I have to tell them to stop lighting the damn dog on fire?
Day 5 Diary Entry
Lazy kids. If I ain’t serving, they ain’t eating. Neighbours already reported me to Child Services twice this month. Can’t ignore them brats like I normally do. Homework not getting done either. Can’t even make a simple bed. Video games and electronics blasting my brains into space.
Day 6 Diary Entry
F’n teachers locked down with the rest of us. Like they need to be. F’n little bastards tearing the damn house apart and terrorizing all living things they can find. Killa looks broken and mangled in the corner. Said a prayer for him. Doubt he’s making it. At least he got in a few bites on their faces and necks. Would have killed most people. Not my little devils.
Day 7 Diary Entry
Satan, take your demons back, lest you fear them! Oh Lord, going to hell for this.
Day 8 Diary Entry
Realized Satan ain’t coming but my F’n demons still here. Breaking curfew, buying a gun. Don’t give a sh1t. These mf’ers had it coming. Jail ain’t got nothing on these bastards! Help me Jesus.
In tonight’s local 6 o’clock news, police arrested a half-naked woman trying to climb the razor wires into Fairbanks. Claimed she’s possessed and haunted by two demons. When told she’s being taken home, the nameless person kicked through the windshield of the police car, grabbed the broken glass and threatened to cut her own throat if not taken to jail immediately.
Thank you, I needed a good laugh
That’s what I was aiming for. Glad you enjoyed it. Excuse the poor language… I used it for effect.
Much appreciated! It’s even funnier imagining Morgan Freeman reading it. I don’t know why him, but try it!
Thank you Queenie!~ Laughter really is good medicine. REspect.
My pleasure. Morgan Freeman would be great reading it.
I also highly recommend the voice of Samuel L. Jackson, especially in the way he can escalate the threat as the tale is told.
I will revisit this post many times. :up: well done! I don’t know what you do for a living, but an ongoing comedic commentary surely has promise.
Not sure if you recall “Red” in Shawshank Redemption (and Rita Hayworth), which incidentally happens to be a Stephen King story… but Red (Morgan Freeman) narrated that story/movie. And yes, agreed on Samuel as well. My favourite Samuel escalation was Ezekiel 25:17 in Pulp Fiction. Could not get enough of that scene.
Re. the escalation and story that I told… it was a bit of a cheat. I came up with it myself but it was a cheat (the tone was a cheat…things are great, then they start to deteriorate, and then, in the end, all goes to hell) from a joke that I had read some time ago, A snow shoveler diary… (I read a different version than this, much shorter…but similar in tone as things start escalating)
Diary of a Mad Snow Shoveler
Long
December 1st: The wife and I decided to move to Canada, it was all my idea and she seems alright with it. I am so glad that we love each other so much.
December 8th: 6:00 PM. It started to snow. The first snow of the season and the wife and I took our cocktails and sat for hours by the window watching the huge soft flakes drift down from heaven. It was the perfect picture and it was so romantic we felt like newlyweds again. I love snow!
December 9th: We woke to a beautiful blanket of crystal white snow covering every inch of the landscape. What a fantastic sight! Can there be a lovelier place in the Whole World? Moving here was the best idea I’ve ever had. I started to shovel for the first time in years and it honestly made me feel like a little boy again. I did both our driveway and the sidewalks. This afternoon the snowplow came along and covered up the sidewalks and closed in the driveway, so I got to shovel again. What a perfect life!
December 12th: The sun has melted all our lovely snow. It was such a disappointment. My neighbor tells me not to worry; we’ll definitely have a white Christmas. No snow on Christmas would be awful! Bob says we’ll have so much snow by the end of winter, that I’ll never want to see snow again. I don’t think that’s possible. Bob is such a nice man I’m glad he’s our neighbor.
December 14th: Snow lovely snow! We got 8″ of it last night. The temperature dropped to -20. The cold makes everything sparkle so. The wind took my breath away, but I warmed up by shoveling the driveway and sidewalks. This is the life, but the snowplow came back this afternoon and buried everything again. I didn’t realize I would have to do quite this much shoveling, but I’ll certainly get back in shape this way. I wish l wouldn’t huff and puff so much.
December 15th: The weather channel said there was 20 inches of snow in the forecast. I sold my van, bought a 4×4 Blazer, snow tires for the wife’s car, 2 extra shovels and I stocked the freezer. On the way I even saw a reindeer they are so majestic I love them so much. When I went home the wife told me that she wants a wood stove in case the electricity goes out. I think that’s silly, we aren’t in Alaska, after all.
December 16th: Ice storm this morning. Fell on my ass while walking on the ice in the driveway putting down salt. Shit hurt like hell, and the wife laughed for an hour, which I think was very cruel.
December 17th: Still way below freezing. Roads are too icy to go anywhere. Electricity was off for 5 hours, and I had to pile blankets on me to stay warm. There was nothing to do but stare at the wife and try not to irritate her. I guess I should’ve bought a wood stove, but I will never admit that to her, because I hate it when she’s right. I can’t believe I’m freezing to death in my own damn living room.
December 20th: Electricity turned back on today, but we had another 14″ of the fucking slop last night, and like usual there was more shoveling. It took me all day to shovel it because the goddamn snowplow came by twice. I tried to find a neighbor kid to shovel, but they said they were too busy playing hockey. Personally I think they were all lying, so I called the only hardware store around to see about buying a snow blower and they were all out. They said that they might have another shipment in March. Who the hell would want to wait that long when we’re suffering now? Bob said I had to shovel or the city will have it done and bill me. I’m sick of his attitude; he’s starting to piss me off.
December 21st: Bob was right about a white Christmas because 13 more inches of the white shit fell today, and it’s so cold it probably won’t melt till August. Took me 45 minutes to get all dressed up to go out to shovel and then I had to piss. By the time I got undressed, pissed, and dressed again, I was too tired to shovel. Tried to hire Bob who has a snowplow on his truck for the rest of the winter; but he says he’s too busy. I think the fucking asshole is lying, it looks like he likes to taunt me… bastard…
December 22nd: On my way to the store I saw another reindeer, God I hate those animals. I tried to run one over but I unfortunately missed. I wish someone could come and exterminate the pieces of shit.
December 23rd: Well I was pleasantly surprised we only had 2″ of snow today. And it finally warmed up to 0. The wife wanted me to decorate the front of the house this morning. What is she fucking nuts?!! Why didn’t she tell me to do that a month ago?
December 24th: We got 6 more inches of the shit today. Snow was packed up so hard by the snowplow that I broke the shovel. For a second I thought I was having a heart attack. If I ever catch the son of a bitch who drives that snowplow, I’ll drag him through the snow by his balls. I know he hides around the corner and waits for me to finish shoveling and then he comes down the street at like 100 miles an hour and throws snow all over where I’ve just been! Tonight the wife wanted me to sing Christmas carols with her and open our presents, but I was too busy watching for the goddamn snowplow.
December 25th: Merry Fucking Christmas, 20 more inches of the fucking slop tonight, and best of all we were snowed in. The idea of shoveling makes my blood boil. God I hate the snow! Then the snowplow driver came by asking for a donation and I hit him over the head with my fucking shovel. The wife says I have a bad attitude. I think she’s fucking dumb. If I have to watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” one more time, I’m going to fucking murder her.
December 26th: Still snowed in. Why the hell did we ever move here? It was all HER idea… the bitch is really getting on my nerves.
December 27th: Well the temperature dropped to -30 and the pipes froze. I am really starting to hate Canada.
December 28th: It warmed up to above -20, we are still snowed in, and like always the retarded Christmas elf that I live with is driving me crazy!!!!!
December 29th: 10 more inches came down last night. Bob says I would have to shovel the roof or it could cave in. That’s the silliest thing I ever heard, how dumb does he think I am?
December 30th: The roof caved in…. The snow plow driver is suing me for a million dollars because of the bump on the head. The wife left me and went home to her mother. Good!! She was really pissing me off.
December 31st: Well I set fire to what’s left of the house. Finally there is no more goddamn shoveling.
January 1st: Well some guys came over today and took me somewhere…
January 8th: I feel so good. I just love those little white pills they keep giving me. Why am I tied to the bed???
Jamal and Lakisha you say? Hmm…
You would have preferred…?
James and Susan
My biggest fear is that people do not listen to medical science, but listen to religious freaks or some pastor.
The solution is to follow instructions from the medical people, they study the stuff and know what they are talking about.
Religion is only taking advantage of the situation to put fear in people and make false promises.
Unfortunately it takes a good education system and brains to make this happen. Both are not available on this island.
When you are sick, do you go to a doctor, or do you call anthony eden ?
Most people will go to eden. And that worries the f**k out of me.
I have never met the man, however I can say with complete confidence that there is nothing for which I would go to him. I suspect I am not alone in that assertation.
Could Alden please let us know at what point we will be permitted to wash each other’s feet again?
Stop the blasphemy. You know damm well you never washed your own feet properly much less anyone else’s.
Your reference to Jesus washing people’s feet is distasteful and blasphemous.
My advise to those who have no spiritual compass or belief system: go find one. Stop tearing down everyone else who chooses to believe.
I can appreciate that persons want to receive more informative pieces of information and feeling as if they’re in an online church service. I truly believe that the one prayer at the beginning given by the respective pastor is sufficient for the entire briefing.
I don’t want it removed I simply want to see them strike a better balance of state and faith.
Remember your position in government. Remember none of you are pastors or preachers. Do not neglect your duties to inform the public accordingly, if we need a motivational speech we will listen to Joel osteen.
Ha ha, send your money to Joel Osteen you moron. He needs it’s more than your kids.
Some of these modern day mInisters are making merchandise of simple people while they live off the fat of the land.
It was a reference to Ju Ju but you people have extremely short and/or selective memories.
I believe most people do not have an issue with religion per se, even if they themselves are not religious. What people have a problem with is the hypocrisy of some of the so-called leaders who invoke the name of Jesus any time it so happens to be convenient for them to do so. Of course there are a few ignorant atheists who like the fervent religious want to impose their views unto others.
Like my hands is clean and my heart are pure you mean.
Well said, except for the unfortunate mention of Joel Osteen; pastors by definition should not have a net worth of 100 million or anything close to it.
Why does everything in the world have to be so black and white these days? There should be no conflict between those who believe in God and those who believe in Science. Many of us are both, and why not? Why would you ever limit yourself by choosing one or the other, when either can fit specific needs and circumstances?
Put another way: Smoke ’em if you got ’em. — Do as you wish. You are grown-ass adults, and your choices should be carefully measured.
Look 5:39, I go to church on Sunday in West Bay. I do NOT / NOT need preaching during the week from Ministers in CIG.
We have a national crisis so let’s get down to solving the problem ASAP and leave our spirituality and religion to Sunday at church or home.
God bless you bro.
I liked the bit where she said the devil has shut the churches, but the god fearing folk had overcome the devil by holding church in their homes. So basically saying Alden is the devil, and church goers are breaking the law on assembly.
Same devil that made her go on luxury hotel and overseas trips with her bodyguard at govt. expense ?
Who, according to this devout minister, created Covid-19 in the first place? Presumably God, since He created everything.
So why? So He could then bless us and keep us safe? Wouldn’t it have been easier not to have created it in the first place?
Same with hurricanes, earthquakes, etc.
Please, Christians and maybe even Ms OCC, don’t just thumbs-down me but try to answer this, in words I can understand. Don’t give me “moves in mysterious ways” or “His plan”. Because you have to admit, at first blush it does look like pretty capricious behavior.
don’t blame ju-ju….blame alden who put her in this ministry and has kept her there for 4 years….
She’s only a figurehead. The real decisions are being made by the Education Council, which was the plan all along.
Don’t pass the political buck.
So where is the political accountability?
Accountability? What accountability? Please be realistic. There is none to be found in our government!
We have swallow the Caymanian kool aid that force feeds us their brand of living religiously as Hippocrates
In a nutshell, that is the whole problem here. Simply no accountability.
We need home rule to restore the sense of accountability as the system here is slowly eroding and we are becoming a political Third World backwater.
And the Education Council is chocca with people who know nothing about education.
An awful figurehead at that!
She don’t know what the hell is going on……children going hungry, horrible living conditions…but this is cayman, this isn’t happening…everything is great…all her and anthony care about is the gay people causing earthquakes and possible covid 19 (waiting for that one now)
Children in cayman shouldn’t be hungry!!! shame on the parents, shame on the government not taking the proper actions…she never did anything about the schools what makes you think she gonna do it now
There should be no hungry children worldwide. Period. The fact that grown adults stand by daily and allow children to be abused, starved, neglected, shows people’s lack of character.
We can do better. Globally. Many starve in America….UK….all over Europe. Did I mention the continent of Africa?
Truth as I see it, nobody takes care of the elderly or the children. Your 2 most vulnerable in society.
Food. For. Thought.
This woman is in the same class as Boris Johnson and Trump. Only out for herself. That has always been obvious and once again it is the children of the Cayman Islands who suffer.
Mixing Boris Johnson’s name in with Julianna’s and Trump’s says far more about your hatred of The UK Prime Minister than it does about Boris Johnson.
No. All 3 politicians are out for themselves and their massive egos.
Yep. Another of our ministers in way, way over their head. I see a pattern amongst our MLAs.
JuJu seemed to be possessed during her 10 hour sermon. She actually made Jon Jon look smart yesterday. “Question” Can we just have the commissioner and Dr Lee do the briefings going forward, the rest of them are non essential and really doing my head in. When I think about the thousands maybe millions of people listening here and abroad I shudder with embarrassment.
Seek God and then maybe your life on earth won’t seem so pathetic.
3:06pm..why don’t you seek REALITY and maybe your life on earth won’t seem pathetic for constantly looking up to the sky for answers!
idiot
God isn’t going to do anything, son. Just look at the situation now; if he’s up there, he clearly ain’t answering the phone right now.
Im nah haff no credit
My God is acutely aware that we should not use his name to justify poverty, inequality, homophobia, nepotism, and corruption. This woman should be put in a dark room and left.
To put your mind slightly at ease, there ain’t millions listening to what we do here. Nobody cares apart from the people living here and ex-pat Caymanians. But shuddering with embarrassment is certainly acceptable.
Protecting the Caymanian elderly and obese at the expense of others. Gov has to step in and stop this stupid shit.
In terms of school fees there are a couple of things that need to be considered:
a) why are teachers seen as such a crucial commodity when other service providers within the community are expected to take pay cuts, lose their jobs, or be told to take unpaid leave … dentists, dental nurses, optometrists, dermatologists, physios – to name but a few.
b) this notion that if we reduce teachers salaries during the time of school closure will result in no teachers to teach our students once school re-opens – honestly are people not seeing and hearing about the massive rates of unemployment world wide. Finding teachers and people willing to teach will not be a problem.
c) why the massive disparity between fees when these schools all claim that they are run at no profit. CIS for example is nearly double the cost of Prep and the standard of education is not superior. The CIS campus is definitely superior but the quality of education has been ranked as no different to the other private schools on island.
d) people need to take a step back and think of the people in households who have lost their job/seen a reduction in salary, have little to no income coming in the door and now to add salt to their wounds are having to teach their children while the so called teacher is paid a full salary.
e) if a school has a home learning platform why are they not utilising it to its full potential and why are they seemingly criticising and critiquing those teachers that are actually having FaceTime with their students. There appears to be no consistency with the system and a very strong attitude that less is more and please once again feel sorry for our teachers …. our teachers that are still being paid a full salary and for those taking advantage of the situation effectively getting a nice long fully paid vacation.
Every single private school will give consideration to individual circumstances, most of them always have. Get in touch with your school and state your case or shut up. There will be no blanket fee reductions without staff casualties.
Then lets have some staff causalities that is comparable to all the general public causalities!
Another prime example of why teachers are required.
The schools did not close voluntarily, they were closed by an oppressive regime. Suggest you send your application in to the NAU.
I’m only going to answer A of your questions. As it should have an overarching theme attached.
Those same dental hygienists, dermatologists, physiotherapists etc. would not be who there are in their careers without having been educated. Their teachers, professors, and mentors along the way ensured they were prepared to enter the working world and succeed.
Teachers are invaluable. It is one of the most thankless jobs in the world.
Because its not a vote winner to cut teachers salaries.
Please direct me to an online dentist or hygienist that can examine or clean my teeth……now digest that and think again why teachers are not being fired or forced to take a pay cut
Extraordinary performance. She achieved something I previously thought was impossible – she made Dwayne look like the second stupidest person in Cayman.
Smack on! 👍🤯
That’s a very nasty thing to say about someone who is helping to look out for our best interest. (Dwayne looking like the second stupidest person in Cayman) Come on people at least the Government is now looking out for the Caymanian people for once and they should at least get the credit now for doing so. I for one am very grateful for the measure they are putting place to safegaurd us.
If you think either of the two of them are looking out for our best interest, you need to pull that wool from over your eyes. They looking to get elected again…full stop. No more…no less.
They are on an incredible financial gravy train and they ain’t never getting off.
Steady on. Any more hurty words and you’ll make her cry too and then where will we be?
I tuned her out during the prayer and never recovered.
Whining, crying, complaining. Telling everyone what they should do. Not agreeing with leadership, and not following the laws. I am starting to think maybe cleaning out the “Herd” is a great idea. Smart guy that God guy is. You can hide all you want but he is coming for us all. Most of us will never even know we had it. Why only some people will pass on now instead of later is usually up to God right? I am not afraid of getting this virus. I will be one of the 999 out of a thousand to survive and live on. But I am going to live in a functional place so Cayman Islands may not be suitable for me. I do hope it works for all of you that have not other place to go. If you survive. Just my humble opinion and I won’t feel bad if you don’t agree.
Which God are you referring to? Allah? Vishnu? The Catholic God? The Mormon God? Zeus? Help me out Mr./Ms. one in a thousand. Please.
Alden
I say Jesus so there’s no confusion.
Kenny Dalglish is a God. His goal to win the league against Chelsea in ’86 was Godlike!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jgvs9GlsGU
Aren’t they all the same?
As John Lennon said, “God is a concept by which we measure our pain”. There is a lot of pain out there now.
When she started her ridiculous praying I put the TV on mute! There is no need for her to continue with that fiasco as Jon Jon has filled that position. After guessing if her rambling praying stopped I unmuted my TV only to be more annoyed as she started to read from her papers her voice trembled sorely. I turned off my TV.
WTH are these press briefing coming to?
No, no – don’t mute. You’ll miss a having a good laugh.
And Alden protects Juju today and Jon Jon yesterday. Sad sad sad, if we were all in a life raft…………………????
After Hurricane Ivan I left the island for a whole term with my 2 children and was fortunate enough to get them into a school in Florida where we had to pay school fees, but I also paid fees at their private school on my return to ensure their place was kept for the continuance of that school year.
The teachers still have to be paid for providing online teaching etc. (and lets face it they can’t leave anyway) and have expenses to pay.
An interesting point is if the schools don’t resume until the start of the new academic year, will the children have to repeat the year or move up to the following year. If they have to repeat the year what happens to the new intakes for 2020?
Simple answer wouldn’t be that they ‘the students’ would have to take and pass a schoolastic test!
Finally, someone sensible.
Thank you for your feedback. Maybe wendy will be nice enough to include this in her questions one day to the premier.
I gave up trying to make any sense of anything she said and turned it off. So much dribble
Just another religious freak caymanian that is not capable of doing the job.
It is an absolute disgrace to the people.
Anything from anthony eden. He is very quiet.
Same thing, god god god god. Sick of it.
Agree. It was bad enough when our minister of health felt the need to pray, then we added a minister of whatever church at the beginning (MoH should have stopped then) but with it M of Education felt the need to start with a prayer I turned them off.
It’s a Civid-19 briefing. Not a church service.
There we have the next Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.
I was listening to the Education Minister and all I could think about was driveways………
All I could think of was “how embarrassing”.
You obviously didnt hear the “Blessed are the driveway pavers as they shall influence voters”
part in the sermon.
…and tacky window treatments.
All I can every think of when I see her is of course the driveways, the equipment taken from Grand Cayman and never returned, the expenses, the lack of empathy, the absolute ignorance of pedagogy and the reason she had to get out of teaching and a few of her other chosen professions.
Spent more time praying that actually giving useful information as if we weren’t already subjected to religion being shoved down our throats at the start.
All she had to say was
1) if you don’t have enough electronic devices, collect ya paper packets
2) school closed, don’t ask when it opening
3) private schools na my problem unna signed a contract talk to the principal
4) everyone stressed and like every other workplace we’re offering counseling
Done.
You are awesome…can you seriously do this commentary after every briefing?
Yes 6:08 please do this commentary after every briefing.
I would sign my name against them too but UNFORTUNATELY I have a woman that speaks in tongues as my educational minister.
Thank you CNS for giving us back a voice that has been taken away. If the captain of my ship is about to hit an ice berg, of course I’m going to critique their steering abilities.
However in Cayman, as a civil servant should you tell your government ‘captain’ that they’re not qualified to steer a boat while they make “gaypril” jokes, they’ll cry about it then threaten to make you walk the plank.
Okay all you critics, sure, the education information she shared may have been a bit lacking but come on, be fair, that was one hell of a sweet prayer she rattled off.
I rightly suspect that she effectively cornered the good Lord with that well-worded wish list. He’ll have no choice but to change his divine preordained plan for the future now. Dat corona good as gone. Thank you so much Ms Oconner-Connery-Conner-O’Connel!
She’s right about the power of prayer, you know. Why should we just blindly and obediently accept God’s plan for us when we can petition and beg for a rewrite? If you don’t like the script, request changes. I’m sure God appreciates it when we tell him that his first draft of destiny just isn’t adequate.
#blessed
Praise be!
“And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him.”
She has seen the demon that has causeth thy church to be closed on thine divine resurrection!
All I can say is people are starting to break mentally and it’s not even a month yet , the kids will be fine as long as the adults stay strong, hopefully this is all over in a couple of months, how much do we really believe our kids will lose in this time? kids are like tuned athletes who get an injury, if we can keep them mentally strong they will be back in the tick of things start getting back to normal, we will be fine just keep the faith and be strong, live on day at a time, this should serve as a good reminder that stressing too much about the future is not good
because we never know what is up ahead, plan but don’t stress
I break mentally when I hear her praying and nearly babbling in tongues.
Why are the schools sending out emails for school fees when our children are not in schools? Can I get a legal opinion on this please.
Call your lawyer. Bet that call will cost you more than your school fees.
A lawyer would charge maybe a grand for the whole case, which could last for months! That is maybe a month and a half in a private institution if youre lucky. So maybe people should get lawyers!
Lol, good luck with your cheap ass lawyer.
A lawyer at that rate I will pass on. Not worth 2 cents.
I beat an obvious drug charges with $750 dollar lawyer.
9.21pm Class action?.
I received an email from my child’s daycare asking for April’s full fee’s and also they asked if we can donate extra during the covid 19 outbreak!! (can you imagine! )
The email dint include our names ( clearly a quick group email ) , showed no compassion for the parents who now have to work from home ( if still working ) and make sure our kids are learning at the same time among many other things.
Keep in mind that since the closure was made mandatory the daycare has sent 2 youtube links to learning video’s on the parent group chat with no effort to reaching out to parents individually.
We signed no contract with the daycare and every month we pay on time and always donate, paper towels, wipes, soap which many parents dont do.
So with that said I clearly told them they wont be getting a penny out of me for a service which they are not providing, also as business they should have backup cash for emergencies like this, regular households do their best to keep something for a rainy day, registered business should consider that a priority!
Now why must it fall on parents to keep teachers paid when a lot of companies we work for arent considering keeping us paid.
But you don’t have to. You can choose not to pay and stop using their services any time you choose.
You do realize that the teachers took time researching the best ways to help the children whether it was YouTube videos or information packets, etc. My son’s teachers are doing a variety of both.
maybe for you, but our day care sent a random abc video that must have taken 0.6 seconds to find, try it yourself on youtube. im not saying all teachers are the same im talking of my experience with the establishment my child attends.
The teachers are still working on line with the students, thats is why
not all teachers are the same believe me, especially when the kids are young the teachers at my school have sent basic youtube videos with blippi and diana, and when i watched them i was like ”wtf” especially diana video’s no learning what so ever.
Some schools have already reduced fees. All fee-paying schools should do this. There is no justification for schools to be able to continue to charge as normal. This is nothing to do with hurting teachers or anything else. It is simply a reflection of our new normal. No school is providing the service that it is charging for. How can anyone justify continued 100% fee structures when –
they are not providing a facility
they are not hosting sports
CIS are still charging for swimming (really, the parents are contributing to swimming time)
the classes are clearly nothing of the standards from normal (and that’s to be expected of course, BUT why should parents have to pay as if its normal?)
the schools operating costs are clearly reduced while closed
the teachers can and should have wages reduced like many other employees in other industries are
and so on.
there is simply no justification for the schools to be allowed charge 100% fees as normal. Its not normal. its fine for CUC to charge me as normal, they’re still providing exactly the service they always do (and they’re actually letting people pay late). Gyms closed, so they’ve stopped charging monthly memberships. The schools must stop and think before they end up with a mass action lawsuit. huge shout out to those schools that have already stepped in to assist parents. Now, where are the rest of you?
Those schools have let staff go without telling you. Dare you to ask them who will teach your child when they do go back.
It is important to realize that teachers are doing their best to work under these difficult and stressful conditions. Teachers need to work even harder to adapt their teaching, resources, unit plans and lesson plans to be effective for kids of varying ability, stress levels and motivation in this environment. In many cases teachers are working longer hours and are under more stress than usual. To suggest reducing the pay, putting further stress on the people who are working even harder than normal for your kids, is disrespectful and insulting to those who are doing their best to adjust to a very difficult situation.
This isn’t about teachers pay which should remain the same, this is about the fact that operating expenses should be less as facilities aren’t being used and this at the very least should be reflected in a discount to parents.
Teachers preparing online material for parents to teach (my child is in KG and learning to read) means that we as parents (with no degree in teaching) have to actually do the teaching for this age group despite having to work from home.
Full fees for this content only approach that we have to effectively roll out ourselves cannot be justified.
Does your school have a board of directors? That’s who needs to consider your request. Principal or faculty cannot assist as it is way above them. Please do not take out your anger and frustration on the teachers. Ever.
Operating expenses will not have dropped much, if at all. Schools will still be paying rent, security, some utilities (AC will need to be kept on to protect the environment and materials from mold), administrative staff who will be busy with ordering, admissions and HR processes for the coming school year, not to mention payroll, parent communication etc. Our own school diverted funds for materials and operations to purchase additional devices for children, knowing that not all would have them and many of those we sent home would not come back. (Already, several have been reported broken.) Facilities and operations do not magically disappear simply because children cannot come to the building — just as your own homes and mortgages have not magically gone away. Despite what many think, private schools do not make profits, and several have been investing in ways to increase class sizes to accommodate the island’s growth without yet having enough bums on seats to make up the difference in expenditure. Those of you complaining in other forums about having to attend a school that was not your first choice will understand the importance of increasing school places on island.
Are you getting the same product you were getting in March? Obviously not. That is not possible, because you cannot bring your children to the school, which is part of your contract with us as well as ours with you. It goes both ways.Teachers, administrators and other members of staff are doing the work, I can assure you. We are all working very long days. It is exhausting both physically and mentally, particularly when you see your efforts derided in social media and in the press by the very families you are working so hard to serve.
Is distance learning in the Cayman Islands currently a perfect product? Of course not. How could it be? No one was expecting this until Feburary, and none of us chose it. Teachers and admin worked very long hours throughout February and the beginning of March, putting in extra time while educating your children on campus as usual to design a platform based on what we already had and what the children already knew how to use. This was far from an ideal situation in terms of logistics and time but we built it out of what we had.
Will your pleas for reduced tuition affect the same teachers who are doing all this work to keep your children learning? Without a doubt. There is nowhere for the money to come from — at least the kind of money most of you are talking about — except from salaries. You already know that the largest part of each school’s budget is spent on salaries, so that will not be a surprise to you. To reduce tuition across the board, we can cut staff or materials for next year, which would include your child’s workbooks, learning tools, and in some cases, the new desk that was ordered to accommodate him or her. Either one will affect the education your chlid receives when school finally reopens. We are doing our best to avoid a disruption in that service, and while I appreciate that you have a choice in how you respond to requests for tuition at present, please know that reductions will absolutely affect the way we can serve you going forward, at least in the short term, and quite possibly the longer term depending on how many demand not to pay.
Please do not assume that ALL teachers are good, dedicated members of staff. Ask any parent of a low ability child and see if they get the best teachers.
Not ALL people are good, lawyers, doctors, politicians, parents all have varying degrees of morality and competence. But that’s no reason to disrespect the entire group, teachers don’t assume all parents are bad based on the few bad ones they deal with every year.
It’s simple. Pro rate your daily cost to enroll your child in private school, deduct it from what you paid for the full year (2019/2020) and have it applied to the 2020/2021 enrollment fees. If the schools disagree with this…class action lawsuit. See if the private schools would rather reimburse the fraction payment they didn’t actually earn or rather en dour a lengthy indefinite walk out with NO students to fund their school.
Except your children have a legal obligation to be enrolled in full time education, guess who is legally accountable if they are not. Hint: it’s not the schools
There is no legal obligation, just ask the Minister of Education. It’s private sector issue.
http://www.education.gov.ky/portal/pls/portal/docs/1/12408336.PDF
Start with Part 4.
In your scenario, should the teachers therefore stop teaching your children until the end of term? My spouse is a teacher and I can attest to the fact that she is working longer hours than usual preparing videos and other resources for the students, teaching them live during most their normal lesson times and then marking their work (from the computer’s screen) from scans they send to her. I know it varies greatly depending on the children’s ages, but please don’t simply assume that teachers are not giving their 100% and should get a pay cut. A big part of a of a school’s budget is salaries, so if you want your full fees reimbursed based on a daily rate then you are basically asking for the teachers to stop being paid.
Unfortunately this is not happening across the country. And younger kids need attention of the teachers to learn. Parents cannot do this if they also have to work from home.
I have a highschool child and I’m working from home and helping him. It’s hard but I’m doing it. Also he has Asperger’s and hate school work so it’s double trouble. However, teachers are supportive. You just need to communicate.
Good for you. Now imagine multiple kids. One 2 1/2 and another 4 and another 6. Please let me know how you help all three with their school work (imagine mummy being calling every 10 seconds) and being required to work normal working hours fully – no flextime.
Not bashing as I understand that situation. Would you consider hiring a live in at this point? That seems like the most feasible solution; a live in whose sole responsibility would be to ensure that the kids access their classes online and complete and turn in assignments.
JOC was simply awful
Dragged her in to deflect from Jon J
Was? You mean “is”, surely?
Obvious result of failure of the Education Ministry to establish an online learning portal to support remote learning. The Ministry and Department has pursued school improvement solely by inspections. The inspectors should take note of this failing especially since it existed many years ago. Parents are not happy with the current provision.
Oh Please!!
Stop your wining!
Don’t you realize Education Minister Juliana O’Connor-Connolly is much much to busy testifying about how Gay Marriage will ruin our island? A much more important issue than improving the education of our youth, or instilling in them a sense of love, compassion, and surrpot for our neighbors.
REMEMBER ALL OF THIS AT THE NEXT ELECTION. THROW THEM ALL OUT!!
Elect young, honest and honorable people without all of the incest of the current government.
not that I don’t mostly agree with you 3.03 but what is a ‘surrpot’ – genuine question…
Support
A pot of sirs. Very popular local dish. Usually eaten with a side of ma’am’s.
If you’re not being sarcastic, they meant ‘support’.
Exactly. Thank you.
When I first tuned into the LA and heard a woman spewing such hatred and bigotry I did not know who it was at first because I tuned in partway through. To later find that this fool is the person in charge of the ministry of education made me cringe.
Just like Mr. Seymour’s daily briefings are evidence that he has no idea what to do with health, this should enlighten everyone to the fact that JOC has no idea how to educate our children.
Remember at election time.
Bingo. A whole cabinet full of broken China and not a cup that can hold any water between them.
Do you have anyone in mind. Easier said than done. We will continue to elect unqualified individuals, its a sad stare of affairs….scary really.
Hopefully the private sector schools will do the right thing with reducing school fees.
You want to seperate your child from the rest of the other caymanians because they too good to associate with those poor kids. Well keep them in your private school. Government schools wasn’t good enough before. Now you fall off dicky top and want pity but had none for us went you were the man and woman. Remember Government schools not good.
Based on your grammar its clear that you went to a government school…
Don’t paint us all with the same brush. Many of us were educated through the public system. You will note that it isn’t always the institution or the faculty of said instituion but rather the student. Many students come from wealthy homes and attend private institutions. Not all those students apply themselves, therein not every student at a private institution is an Einstein or values their own education.
Hold your children accountable for their own studies and learning in conjunction with what their curriculum calls for! Most parents don’t even know what their child’s curriculum is.
It is not just parents who are not happy about that woman’s speech. Teachers in the private schools are working hard, and have been since the schools closed to ensure learning continues. Plans are in place, all students are accounted for, laptops checked and technology audits taken out and followed up.
How did this woman get her position? She read off paper, clearly did not prepare or plan answers ahead, instead read from paper clearly written by someone else. She could not answer on the spot questions as she has no knowledge of education, teaching or what is happening in schools right now, especially not private schools.
She wants to investigate what teachers are doing at this time? Why is no one investigating what she is doing!
A woman of her position should be speaking up for education, for schools, teachers and students. She should understand fully conditions and steps taken by schools before arriving to a formal press release. She should know it anyway! Is that not what she is paid to do?
Shocking answers, shocking responses and disappointed that someone like that represents education for this country.
It was not her business before covid 19 now you want her to fix your private contract. You made a contract with the school not her or the rest of us. It was your bad choice. I guess you want the Minister of commerce to sort out your landloard contract too, while you at it get them to change your employment contract you made with your employer too and give you a raise.
Aren’t all schools licensed by the Ministry of Education under the Education Law, government or private? It is the Minister of Educations business.
Really?? All students are accounted for? I doubt 100% of students are checked in. I doubt 100% of assignments are completed 100%. I doubt 100% of the work is even being covered. I doubt 100% of the subjects are covered. Can the schools submit reports to prove 100% effective ?
I just turn it off after the police commissioner finishes.
I turn it off when he starts.
Listening to this woman was exceedingly painful. She cannot even speak English properly and she is the Minister for Education. She really has no clue what to do and cannot answer any questions without reading off prepared statements written by the many intelligent expats that work beneath her. People, by the way, who are leaps and bounds beyond her but can never be the Minister of Education because of the draconian restrictions allowing only a very small portion of the (some word argue severely interbred) “Caymanian” gene pool to be voted in.
Do us all a favour and have the people that actually know the answers attend the press conferences…Juliana can go back to illegally paving her friends’ driveways on the Brac.
You know, I hate it when people make these statements as if they know what they are talking about and clearly do not. The statements she read were written by Caymanians. And no we are not severely interbred. We have proven time and time again that we are as intelligent, educated and qualified as anyone else. In fact we have to be more so because of people like you who have no real contribution to make and so attempt to placate your own lack of self-worth by attempting to tear us down. Unfortunately for you, too many of us have gone through an awakening to the fact that many, many expatriates who claim superiority are severely misinformed. Like it or move.. oh but that’s not an option is it? #Best life you ever had.
REALLY? Not all of you are.
They were questions written by her staff in the Ministry
Look Bobo 4:22, I love the Cayman Islands and I love the Caymanian people, however, the performance today by the Minister of Education and the numerous performances by Minister Seymour the past two weeks are not examples of educated, intelligent and qualified Caymanians. Sorry to tell you, but these Ministers are an absolute disgrace by any standard.
They are examples of Ministers one would expect in a backward, uneducated Third World despotic regime. We wonder why non Caymanians laugh at us sometimes? You have your examples.
Somehow, we have got to elect more intelligent Caymanians to represent us as Ministers. I do not mean to tear you down, but the answer is not to move on. Do not be complacent Bobo. Demand better and you will get better.
Don’t defend such mediocracy. RESPECT.
I am sorry to say it but after seeing the terrible performance of these two Ministers, in these very difficult times, I would like to see direct rule until we get clearly out of the mess we are in now.
I see no alternative. Believe things are going to get much worse before they get better. We simply do not have the political leadership to lead in areas such as health and education.
The UK is not doing any better on those fronts. You want the mess of the NHS down here?
It is way more complex than that 6:28.
I was just waiting for her to start speaking in tongues! It was a demented rant.
This is not the view of all expats and I am ashamed to think that all Caymanians would believe this is the view of all expats!
The performance was a disgrace for Caymanians and expats alike. If this is the best the Minister of Education can do then we are in very serious trouble education wise on this island.
Must say I am very depressed by the Minister and Minister of Health. Can’t we do better than this?
Erm…let me think, 9:35. No.
Really don’t believe we can do better. It is called the Peter Principle.
Actually, she has some very intelligent Caymanians under her.
2:01, If that is the case, then those Caymanians should run for political office and hopefully we would have a far superior Minister of Education.
Caymanians with good brains need to step up.
2:26pm I agree with most of what you’re saying, but I doubt all the individuals writing her speeches are intelligent expats because there’s a lot of intelligent Caymanians around as well, also the law only allowing Caymanians to be elected is not draconian as the same law exist in the country that you abandoned and made your way here.
The difference is that when one lives 15 or 20 years in the country I came from one can vote or run for political office.
She represents Caymanians best ………………..hahahahahah
We have to pay her 12k per month for that?
And still being paid during a pandemic
Very bad presentation should have been better prepared to answer the questions as most all were easily predictable.
Guess her education left something to be desired
In these times we will see howmuch of these private school’s actually care for the children, or actually just in this for financial gain. If a parent cannot afford to keep their children in school because of not having a job and the child is “expelled” then you will see their intentions. My child is attends a private school, as the schools closed island-wide it was halfway through the month. Me and my wife recieved an email “reminding us” to pay the school fee. I was assuming and thinking that they would atleast make us pay half, but no. If you dont care about the parents strain how can you care about the children? Yes teachers are very important, but as of now we are all equal financially. Teachers arent the only ones that dont have jobs now. Like I said if you care about the children, have some sympathy for the struggle hundreds of parents are going through. To the higher up’s do not let greed ruin your good name.
But the teachers ARE still working! There may be differences in schools and levels, but I am very impressed and grateful for what the teachers are able to do under these circumstances.
The teachers are still working even if you’re not. You might consider sitting in on some of your child’s online classes to learn proper grammar before posting.
Which ones are those? Not aware of any for the private school my kid attends. Also, do I abandon my work and get fired to sit with my kid?
If I can work and help my child with special needs so can you. Parents need to parent. You don’t work 24/7 . Make time for your child. In one way, I’m glad my son is home. I can see what his school work is and make sure that he does it.
Do you want a prize? Great you can do it. If it is working for you – pay your fees. But parents should not be forced to pay for services they are not receiving or unhappy with.
They are working? My childs private schools have no online programs!!!
Look I know these are unprecedented times but so many ministers were appointed out of their league…Tara to financial?…Gaypril to health?…JuJu education?…oh and of course MacKeeva and Alden to any position really.
You are an Idiot. That all I can say.
Yeah you don’t sound like you have much of a vocabulary. Should have left at nothing.
Why do you say that? This poster is spot on. Tara was in charge of education and look how that’s doing. What qualifications do ANY of them have to handle what they’re handling? With our futures at risk in more ways than one. You are the idiot, and a blind one at that. Sorry.
4:46 Never apologize for stating the truth…that’s just plain blasphemy!
Alden is doing a fantastic job leading us through this crisis. He is logical, level headed and is watching global trends to make decisions. Very wise leadership since this is unprecedented.
As for the ministry portfolios- what do you all think would happen if politicians all start running as independents- which is what many people cry for these days. When you have a party, that party can plan who they run with based on qualifications and similar ethos, so that if they gain a majority they already have a plan of how to share the workload. Independents are just that- random people with different (or lack of) skill sets and experience. So when you people vote them in the government has no choice but to share the work as they see fit. That’s how it works. Period. Don’t complain now about how who got what…the government played the cards they were dealt.
The deck was stacked and they know the devil, er sorry, I mean the dealer.
Pathetic fire and brimstone bullshit was all that was.
I agree absolutely. I wanted to hear proper information, not a load of religious claptrap. Between Seymour and this woman, the calibre of the government is shown to be woefully inadequate!
Her rushed prayer took longer than the Governor’s informative input.
2.04pm You are too polite.
Is any of this a surprise as all Alden did was hand out positions for political gain since he needed all these peoples’ support so he could keep the power spot. Where are all the rest of our elected leaders during this crisis? Just sitting somewhere collecting a big paycheck?
It’s not over yet and a lot more tricks will soon be exposed.
Get the testing going Mr. Premier!
Not just a paycheck, a BIG paycheck!
A giant paycheck is more like it considering their performance. What a gravy train.