Some One Hundred and Forty-Three (143) teachers from across the Virgin Islands have completed the three-day Public Service 101 course, a key offering from the Virgin Islands Public Service Learning Institute. Photo: GIS/File

Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Sharleen S. DaBreo-Lettsome, MBE addressed the attendees on the benefits of serving as a public officer, the role of the Public Service, and the classification of Public Offices and she touched on the role of the Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments in addition to the Separation of Powers. Photo: Facebook

The educators gathered at the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College from February 14 to 16, 2024, and engaged in presentations tailored to their work in the education sector according to the Government Information Service.

Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Sharleen S. DaBreo-Lettsome, MBE addressed the attendees on the benefits of serving as a public officer, the role of the Public Service, and the classification of Public Offices and she touched on the role of the Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments in addition to the Separation of Powers.

Deputy Governor, Mr. David D. Archer Jr., was the event’s final presenter and spoke of the importance of investment in public officers. 

Public Service 101 course, is aimed at educating public officers on how the Government operates, presenting knowledge of all departments, systems, and procedures within the Government. The course allows individuals to hear from a cross-section of experts in various fields within the Public Service and voice their suggestions on these systems and procedures.

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Meanwhile, a featured offering, the “Permanent Secretaries Panel,” afforded educators the opportunity to hear from Senior Managers on their journey in the Public Service.

Panelist, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Marcia E. Potter provided the teachers with valued knowledge as an experienced educator.

According to Dr Potter, “Educators play a critical role in the development of the Territory and we must never lose sight of this. The discourse and questions asked during Public Service 101 showed a genuine interest in their profession and this will certainly assist them in charting their way forward." 

To date, the VI Public Service Learning Institute has hosted over 600 public officers for Public Service 101 in four sittings since its launch in 2023, reaffirming the commitment of the Government to the learning and development of all public officers.