Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Honourable Sharie de Castro has said that the, ‘Meet the Minister’ Initiative started in 2022 was a deliberate investment in relationship-building and system transformation.

In a statement at the Fifth Sitting of the Second Session of The Fifth House of Assembly, Minister de Castro said the programme has helped to sharpen the ministry’s understanding of where strategic intervention is most needed and inform policy discussions related to curriculum support, training pathways, and school-level resourcing, which results in the entire system benefitting students.

Honourable de Castro said, “This initiative is not a public relations exercise. It is a reminder that the future of education in the Virgin Islands will not be written by policy alone, but by partnership between ministry and school, between teacher and leader, between government and community.”

The minister said her ministry is addressing concerns from multiple levels, from ensuring teachers have the resources that they need to thrive, to receiving assistance in identifying areas that require strategic intervention. She added that the engagements will continue in the coming weeks with the remaining departments at Elmore Stoutt High School.

Honourable de Castro also gave the assurance that the programme will continue next school year with primary schools and the sister island schools.

 “We will continue to ask questions, listen intently, and work collaboratively to ensure that our education system is resilient, responsive, and relevant for today’s learners and tomorrow’s leaders,” the Minister for Education stated. She added, “Together, we will continue to transform education, empower our teachers, and ensure that every child in the Virgin Islands is supported to succeed regardless of their background, ability, or circumstance.”

The minister’s full statement can be viewed on the Government of the Virgin Islands website at www.bvi.gov.vg.

The Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports continues to provide high quality educational services, as well as facilitate access to and participation in sports and recreation, in order to enrich the lives of all residents of these Virgin Islands.

Photo 1: Official Photo of Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Honourable Sharie de Castro

 (Photo credit: GIS)