The Government of the Virgin Islands will be investing more than two million dollars this year in the upgrading of the Territory’s schools, Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Honourable Sharie B. de Castro (AL) has said. Photo: GIS/File

Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Honourable Sharie B. de Castro (AL), in a statement to officially launch Education Month on March 4, 2025, said schools must be more than just buildings and that they are to be safe, modern, and conducive to learning. Photo: VINO/File

Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Honourable Sharie B. de Castro (AL), in a statement to officially launch Education Month on March 4, 2025, said schools must be more than just buildings and that they are to be safe, modern, and conducive to learning.

“In 2023, we invested just over $850,000 in critical school renovations. In 2024, we doubled that amount, spending 1.5 million dollars. This year, we are making our most ambitious investment yet—2.5 million dollars dedicated to upgrading our schools.”

Honourable de Castro stated that a world-class education system demands world-class facilities and over the past two years, the government has made significant strides in improving the Territory’s education infrastructure.

'Our investments are not just about repairs'- Hon de Castro

Guided by structural assessments, essential remedial works have been identified that require urgent attention.

“These include waterproofing buildings, repairing roofs, replacing outdated windows and doors, and installing backup power generators,” the minister said, adding, “We are upgrading plumbing and air conditioning systems to ensure students and teachers have access to reliable water and a comfortable learning environment. We are also strengthening security by installing new systems to enhance the safety of our schools.”

Honourable de Castro said funding has been allocated in this year’s budget for the design of a secondary educational facility that supports the development and expansion of critical technical and vocational skills needed to fill gaps in the local labour force.

“Our investments are not just about repairs; they are about resilience. By addressing these essential needs, we are ensuring that our schools are prepared to withstand environmental challenges, creating learning spaces that are not only safe but built to endure,” the Education Minister concluded.

Meanwhile, teachers' salaries in the Virgin Islands were recently bumped up to among the highest in the region. Hon de Castro had also stated in December 2024, that the starting salary for qualified teachers in the VI, set at $55,000, surpasses that of teachers in the US Virgin Islands (USVI).