Ms. Scatliffe in speaking with the Department of Information and Public Relations said, “I am indeed grateful that the Minister of Education has given me the opportunity to work with his Ministry in ensuring that the government's mandate to develop a modern technical high school is realized.”

She added, “This technical high school is designed with an awareness of the holistic and functional needs of students who are interested in developing skills that will enable them to pursue trades and become productive citizens. The school will also be structured to enable students to achieve higher levels of proficiency in technical and vocational areas with the option to obtain a general secondary school leaving certificate.”

As an Education Consultant, Ms. Scatliffe is to provide consultancy services to the Ministry of Education and Culture for the management, development and commissioning of a modern technical and vocational high school for the Territory. Her scope of works include the development of a plan to phase out the current BVI Technical and Vocational Institute (BVITVI) with recommendations and proposals to accommodate students who did not pass the primary five examinations.

Ms. Scatliffe will be responsible for all aspects of a modern TVET programme from concept to facility which includes curricula needs and commissioning.

As consultant she will make recommendations on the staffing requirement, develop projections for enrolment, work with a curriculum team and submit progress reports. It is envisaged that the technical high school will be housed at the present site of BVITVI in Baugher’s Bay which will have an expanded campus.

Ms. Scatliffe has been an educator in the Virgin Islands for over 25 years and has held administrative positions at the Elmore Stoutt High School from head of the Mathematics Department to assistant principal and acting principal. Ms. Scatliffe is a University of the West Indies graduate with a Bachelors of Science degree with Second Class Honours in Mathematics and Computer Science. She also holds a Master’s of Arts Degree in Educational Administration from the University of the Virgin Islands.

The technical high school will provide a secondary education opportunity to those seeking to go into the technical field or further their studies at the tertiary education level. It will also provide another tier where persons can learn a trade in particular areas and go out into the community to work.

Speaking on the stigma associated with Technical and Vocational Education in the Territory, Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn in his remarks to senior ministry officials and department heads at the 2012 Planning Day said, “For years, students unable to adapt to a particular learning style have been stigmatized as slow learners and sent into vocational programmes. This one action has committed two ills in our society. It has firstly allowed the Virgin Islands to be slow to the table of new thought and understanding of different learning styles.”

He continued, “Because of this, many of our young people are struggling in school and ultimately end up without a secondary school diploma because we were unable to recognize their need and adjust teaching methods.”

The Education Minister continued, “When I talk about the young men on the block and the students that are on the outside of the school gate wanting opportunities, a properly structured technical programme provides them an opportunity to gain the necessary skills to make their contribution to our society.”

The hiring of Ms. Germaine Scatliffe as an Education Consultant provides targeted interventions by the Ministry of Education and Culture to address the Territory’s technical and vocational programmes, as Government strives to improve the standard of living and build a better Virgin Islands for all residents.