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HLSCC now under responsibility of Education Ministry

- President Dawson sees the move as potential for future development of the college
The H. Lavity Stoutt Community College is now the responsibility of the Ministry of Education and Culture. Photo: VINO
President of the HLSCC Dr. Karl Dawson. Photo: HLSCC
President of the HLSCC Dr. Karl Dawson. Photo: HLSCC

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The highest learning institution in the Virgin Islands - the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College - now becomes the responsibility of the Ministry of Education and Culture.

The college previously fell under the portfolio of the Premier’s Office.

Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Culture Dr. Marcia Potter, when contacted by Virgin Islands News Online, confirmed this and indicated that discussions were held between Premier Dr. D. Orlando Smith and Governor Boyd McCleary and the decision was taken to have the statutory board of the college go under the umbrella of the Ministry of Education and Culture.

Meanwhile, Premier Smith in his budget address on January 17, 2012, on the issue of unemployment and strategies for tackling it had said, “Going forward into 2012, we will need to do a better job of straddling the gap between economic growth and improvements in employment. We will have to utilize HLSCC in retraining to better equip our people to adapt to the needs and demands of a changing economy...”

President of the HLSCC Dr. Karl Dawson told Virgin Islands News Online that the move should allow for a more holistic examination of education in the Territory and bears potential for greater collaboration at all levels in the Education system.

“We are looking forward to working closely with the Minister and the Ministry. We see potential for the further development of the college,” Dr. Dawson said.

The H. Lavity Stoutt Community College held its opening ceremony on January 14, 1990 and was dedicated on August 15, 1993. This first campus building encompassed some 10,000 square feet and had 15 classrooms and laboratories on the upper floors, and 4,700 square feet for administrative offices on the ground floor.

According to the HLSCC website, the college continues to exhibit steady growth. Whereas it began its operations in 1990 with 135 students, enrolment during the 1992-93 academic year stood at over 300, progressed to 500 during the 1995-96 year, and exceeded 650 during the 1998-99 academic year. In the more recent years, it has exceeded 1,000.

New programmes continue to come on stream, consonant with the College's mission and growth, with the Virgin Islands Studies Programme being one of the most outstanding, the college stated on its website.

20 Responses to “HLSCC now under responsibility of Education Ministry”

  • jack be still (27/01/2012, 15:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    oh lord let's hope Myron aint tek off the collage sign and replace it wid "lets do tis ting"!
    • billy b (27/01/2012, 16:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      maybe if all the students are like you and cant spell college, he should
      • scatter (27/01/2012, 18:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        billy b you in the bvi illegally and come on here tryin to give English lesson...mehson scatter your self
    • Crank Shaft (27/01/2012, 16:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      And let's hope that your brain will recover from whatever drugs you're on and enable you to think sensibly! You sound like a 'Mighty Mighty' Jacka$$$!!!
    • x mzn (27/01/2012, 17:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      goodness hope Minister Myron do not turn the college into the labour department for political reasons
  • good to great (27/01/2012, 15:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    good move NDP the college should have always been under education!
    • True (27/01/2012, 21:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Good to Great I agree with you 100%. I never did understand why it was not under the Ministry of Education
      • trsut and obey (28/01/2012, 00:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Fahie tis seems like Uncle could not trust you with the college.....but Doc knows Myron smart enough to not get caught!
        • heading there (28/01/2012, 23:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          it had a lot like he who taught they were smart and ended up in jail.....god do not sleep people....
  • Crank Shaft (27/01/2012, 15:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    DUHH!! That only make sense! College under the Premier? WTF?? LMAO!!! Where was the support coming from? Education is Education!
  • Water Gal (27/01/2012, 16:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I cuda never figure out that, but i found out it had to do with money, them people middle name. Good Ting Dr. Smith let the noise makers make noise thats what they do best.
  • 1 (27/01/2012, 19:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    ok the NDP got something else right. That is where it belongs and please return Wickhams Cay devolpment to Natural resources next.
  • The Wise One (28/01/2012, 00:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Our government have to see into making a University that offer bachelors, masters and even higher degrees. We can build the student village, classrooms, recreational and other facilities to accommodate local and international students alike for an array of degrees. With aggressive recognition procedures, employing quality professors, having low or competitive tuition cost to students we can attract many thousands to come and study with us. This can actually be a third strong economy for the Virgin Islands if taken seriously.
    • insider (28/01/2012, 08:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I agree with you "the wise one" but do you honestly think Myron has the vision and depth to make this happen? I think not, he is too caught up in trying to keep the youth votes and mama guising them about jobs, to do anything serious in that Ministry that will leave a lasting legacy.
      • Real Talk (28/01/2012, 11:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Andrew gave the kids free iPads, put them under a tent to eat lunch and let them graduate with failing grades, he got a round of applause. Myron and his team are trying to put things in place, starting with the YUR which so far has garnered much interest from youth and potential employers and that's the nonsense you come on here with? I know personally of youngsters who are already reaping the benefits of this program so hush! Nobody else ever reached out to them in this manner, that ALONE will be his LEGACY, hater!!! You all are bitter, backwards people, whatever the man and NDP does will be wrong in your eyes.
        • SAME OLD PERSON (28/01/2012, 23:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          all the comments in the world about the so called "good job the funny man Minister is doing will still not impress we. we did not eat our school fees REAL talk"
    • Lots of Sense For 2PVT (30/01/2012, 13:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Thanks for this great plug. This light I've seen already. Let's hope our Territory gravitate towards this trend. Hoping for HLSCC to read sometime soon UHLS/HLSU!! One Love.


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