Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Hon Sharie B. de Castro (AL), on December 18, 2024, outlined significant strides in education and infrastructure funding during the 2025 budget debate. Photo: YouTube

The Joyce Samuel Primary School is among four primary schools upgrade works are scheduled for the upcoming year. Photo: GIS

Work will also be done on the Enid Scatliffe Primary School. Photo: GIS

Minister de Castro, lauding the improved cooperation between her Ministry and the Ministry of Finance noted that the 2025 budget process marked a departure from previous years.

Acknowledging the efforts of the Minister of Finance and Premier Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (D7) and his team Hon de Castro recalled, “I have to say the previous two years I really came in here begging and pleading. I remember calling out figures and asking for an additional $4.7 million repeatedly. This year, I did not have to do that. It really speaks to the collaborative government that I’m a part of.”

She also emphasised the importance of prioritising areas of public interest, saying, “We worked hard to prioritize areas that the public is interested in and that will impact Virgin Islanders tremendously.”

Education infrastructure

The minister identified infrastructure as the cornerstone of the Ministry's agenda and stressed the need for secure and comfortable learning environments, revealing that the Ministry had conducted structural assessments of public schools across the Territory in partnership with Unite BVI.

“For the first time in a while, the Ministry has funds upfront for school rehabilitation and reconstruction,” she announced, citing a $2.5 million allocation for capital projects at the start of the year. This funding will allow for crucial school repairs during the summer break.

Specific schools slated for upgrades include the Joyce Samuel Primary School, Alexandrina Maduro Primary School, Willard Wheatley Primary School, and Ebenezer Thomas Primary School. Additional work, she disclosed, will also be done at the Leonora Delville Primary School and the Enid Scatliffe Primary School.

Project components will include roof repairs, the installation of modern windows and doors, improvements in plumbing and air conditioning, and backup power systems.

Highlighting the urgency of these measures, de Castro said adamantly, “It’s a very hard thing when you get a call and the Minister has to close a school because there’s no electricity or water. That’s why we’re being very strategic with watertight systems in schools to avoid challenges with mold and air quality.”

Phased implementation

Minister de Castro added that a phased approach to enhancing the education system will be adopted acknowledging that limited funding necessitates careful planning.

“As much as we would want to do everything at once, the funding just does not allow it,” she admitted adding the strategy would yield tangible results over time.

“An investment in education pays the best interest; Education is not merely an expense but an investment with compounding returns,” she said drawing inspiration from Benjamin Franklin.

Hon de Castro reaffirmed her administration's goal of “reimagining education” in the Virgin Islands, stating that the Ministry is “moving full S.T.E.A.M ahead” to foster innovation, critical thinking, and creativity among students.