Alternative Secondary Education Program is a critical partner for the ministry- Hon. Sharie B. de Castro
The Alternative Secondary Education Programme offers an alternative pathway for at-risk youth and is designed for individuals over the age of 18 who wish to complete their secondary education and are not currently enrolled in another secondary programme.
During the Virgin Islands Voice program, which aired on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, Minister de Castro stated that the ministry has noticed some progress with this programme.
"There have been students who have been put on an alternative pathway that have returned to full-day school on campuses, and I want to be clear that the challenges that we have across all secondary schools in the territory, and so intervention has had to be multi-pronged,’’ the minister stated.
A crucial role in rehabilitation
The ASEP program offers in-person classes and short vocational courses, such as sewing, welding, and IT, aimed at personal development and career advancement. Additionally, ASEP plays a crucial role in rehabilitation by providing educational opportunities and pathways to vocational certification for inmates at His Majesty's Prison.
Hon. de. Castro stated, "We've gotten support from the Royal Virgin islands Police force, from the Ministry of Health and Social Development, from the Governor's office in really strategizing to really implement a violence reduction strategy and you'll have some more plans coming up through the Department of youth affairs and Sports in terms of some of the mechanisms and programming that we want to put in place in support of our at risk youths.’’
The minister affirmed the ministry's commitment to creating opportunities and highlighted that ASEP is a flagship initiative for the Ministry of Education.
32 graduated from ASEP in July
She noted the positive impact of ASEP on students, mentioning that the most recent graduation took place in July, during which 32 individuals graduated from the ASEP and online certificate programs. These graduates are individuals who had dropped out of high school for various reasons over the years, but they returned to school, completed the program, and earned their high school diplomas.
"We've since added support to ASAP because we do have the students who we are putting on the alternative pathway. We've added a school counsellor to that programme. We've added additional teachers to support that learning and development, but ASEP is a critical partner for the ministry, and we are really grateful," she added.
The minister also announced that nine prisoners will graduate with their high school diplomas this past July.
She further stated that, "There are intervention mechanisms, even at home, His Majesty's prisons, and we are walking diligently to see how we create that second chance and that second opportunity for all young people across the territory. Just to add.’’
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1 Response to “Alternative Secondary Education Program is a critical partner for the ministry- Hon. Sharie B. de Castro ”
I hope getting on the "CRITICAL PARTNER LIST" or "VITAL LIST" isn't the same as getting on the "PRIORITY LIST"
Or nothing will even start to be planned to be thought about maybe to happen for another 8 years. All our other 18 year olds will be 26 by then.
Please please please make sure the ASEP ASAP program does not make it to the "PRIORITY LIST".
Dont allow this program to disappear like all our other critical, vital, priorities as you stroll dilligently to see how you can start to think or see how you can create an opportunity for all young people. Sad to see we are again at the seeing stage.
It may ne too late it may have made the PRIORITY list already.
Best wishes to the graduates that have had the opportunity. and that others get an opportunity ASAP.