Category Archives: Comment

St Helena Online joins a campaign for transparency

Posted on 6 July, 2012 by

Ignorance may be bliss, but it’s not good for democracy. St Helena’s elected councillors are making decisions that will set the course of the island’s future, but we are rarely told what they will talk about in advance. That means … Continue reading →

Posted in Comment, Exco, Law, Legislative Council, Media, Politics, St Helena Online, UK overseas territories, White Paper | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

‘What’s being done to raise standards?’ asks White Paper critic

Posted on 28 June, 2012 by

The UK’s White Paper on Overseas Territories has failed to set out how the British government will help St Helena reach higher standards, according to one critic. In a letter to the St Helena Independent, “London Reader” says: “The White … Continue reading →

Posted in Ascension, Comment, Culture, Economy, Falklands, Politics, Tristan da Cunha, UK overseas territories, White Paper | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What the nurse said to the governor: Andrew Gurr looks back

Posted on 26 June, 2012 by

When Andrew Gurr arrived on St Helena in 2007 as the first governor to be appointed through open competition, he found an island civil service that was financially adrift. It needed to undergo surgery – and so, later on, did … Continue reading →

Posted in Airport, Ascension, Comment, Culture, Economy, Health, Media, Tourism, UK overseas territories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

John blames low turnout on ‘closed’ government

Posted on 14 June, 2012 by

A low by-election turnout on St Helena has been blamed by island writer John Turner on government failure to be open and transparent. He says voters have been left disaffected. “Government takes decisions. Where it does consult on them it … Continue reading →

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Education on St Helena: ‘Teachers can earn more as cleaners’ (updated 10 April 2012)

Posted on 29 March, 2012 by

Educational standards are too low on St Helena and the outlook for jobs is ‘bleak’ if there is not a radical change of culture – not just in the schools. That’s according to an official report. Staff are rising to … Continue reading →

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Your views on broadband: ‘Mum’s asked me to stop sending photos’ (updated Tuesday 27 March 2012)

Posted on 22 March, 2012 by

Internet access on St Helena is extremely slow and few islanders can afford to pay Cable & Wireless £120 a month for unlimited access. The government is investigating connection to a new undersea cable. Read our latest story – then comment, below: Firstly … Continue reading →

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