Chess now a part of VI school curriculum – Hon Sharie B. de Castro

-as Education Ministry hosts pilot Inter-School Chess Tournament

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The Virgin Islands Education System is moving ‘Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead’ according to subject Minister for Minister for Education, Youth Affairs, and Sports, Hon Sharie B. de Castro (Al) with introducing chess into the school curriculum as a fun way to teach logic and memory. Photo: Facebook/File

The tournament which is a pilot project commenced this morning at 9:30 am with spectators including parents, teachers and the members of the public welcomed to view the student's play. Photo: Facebook

8-years-old Isiah Smith of the BVI Chess Federation is the winner of the Junior division. Photo: VINO

Bregado Flax's Jasmin Brito walked away the winner of the senior division. Photo: VINO/File

Education Minister, Sharie B. de Castro along with students of the Bregado Flax Education Centre - winner of Senior team division. Photo: VINO

St. George's School - winner of the junior team division. Photo: VINO

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The Virgin Islands Education System is moving ‘Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead’ according to subject Minister for Minister for Education, Youth Affairs, and Sports, Hon Sharie B. de Castro (Al) with introducing chess into the school curriculum as a fun way to teach logic and memory.

This comes as the BVI Chess Federation today, April 29, 2023, hosted its Inter secondary Championship held at the L. Adorothy Turnbull Building of the Elmore Stoutt High School with students from three of VI’s schools competing to show their analytical and logical skills in the game.

“Chess trains logical thinking. It teaches how to make decisions, trains memory, strengthens willpower, motivates children to win, and teaches them how to deal with defeat,” Hon de Castro said in a Facebook post today, April 29, 2023.

Persons were invited to view game - Hon de Castro

“We are having an amazing Inter-Secondary Chess Tournament. Feel free to stop by to show support and witness greatness,” she said.

The schools partaking in the tournament include the Bregado Flax Educational Centre (BFEC), the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS), and St Georges Secondary.

The tournament which is a pilot project commenced this morning at 9:30 am with spectators including parents, teachers, and members of the public.

8-years-old Isiah Smith of the BVI Chess Federation is the winner of the Junior division while Bregado Flax's Jasmin Brito walked away the winner of the senior division.

Students from the Bregado Flax Education Centre also walked away as the winners of senior team division games while St. George's School walked away as winners of the junior team division.

27 Responses to “Chess now a part of VI school curriculum – Hon Sharie B. de Castro”

lol (29/04/2023, 17:33) Like (7) Dislike (7) Reply
Crazy eh. What else ?
- @ lol (30/04/2023, 11:33) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
  People like you who are small minded and think that the world is only where you live are blockers of development. Guess what Social Studies and History will have you to know that " the world is bigger than where you live." News flash! chess is becoming one of the new items out there that are evolving and is becoming part of the curriculums around the world. Having the kids' involve in something positive that keeps them from idling is important. It is happening elsewhere, if it wasn't she wouldn't be pushing it. Do your research, it IS A ThING!!
- @ lol (30/04/2023, 11:38) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
  Chess is a part of modern education if you did not know, stop with the criticizing just for criticizing sake, it shows that you are ignorant of what is happening around the world. It helps in problem solving skills, and more.
  
  https://blog.chesshouse.com/role-chess-modern-education/
  
  https://www.stabroeknews.com/2015/05/03/sunday/chess-with-errol/more-countries-introducing-chess-in-schools/
Fam (29/04/2023, 18:09) Like (15) Dislike (7) Reply
She is off to a great start yall
- :) (30/04/2023, 11:42) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
  That girl do not know how much I love her. She is and will be by God's help 1 of the BVI Education Revolutionist! IN Jesus Name, Amen!!!! Balloon Hot Air will not blight her, or keep her down. What was said about her doings in Education was an other lie on the campaign trail. You do you my girl, with the grace of God, praying for God's wisdom when it comes to you seeking to bring discipline in our schools, with our parents being so full of it which causes badly behaved children. Praying for wisdom and direction for you.
herbs power (29/04/2023, 18:11) Like (8) Dislike (10) Reply
Wellsah election is 4 years from now. And the country voted against these kinds. Yet they have 4 more years to turchure we.
Hon Smith (29/04/2023, 18:31) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
Your newly elected Hon Smith should be the one spear heading this initiative!!
- @ Hon Smith (30/04/2023, 11:45) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
  Is Hon Smith the education Minister?!!! Isn't it not Decastro? I will never understand the willful haters, it shows in their talk, and walk. Stupes
… (29/04/2023, 18:49) Like (5) Dislike (8) Reply
We with her this time yall
Josiahsbay (29/04/2023, 18:57) Like (22) Dislike (4) Reply
Given a choice, I would have preferred a class in civic or entrepreneurship in the curriculum.
Hmm (29/04/2023, 18:58) Like (4) Dislike (8) Reply
Random good move.
Proud where I put my x (29/04/2023, 19:52) Like (4) Dislike (6) Reply
Come out bolting out the gate. We ain't waiting until the third quarter to put in the work... like some of these other dead horse around the place.
known (29/04/2023, 19:55) Like (18) Dislike (6) Reply
we have kids that can't even do math.
- @ known (30/04/2023, 02:16) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply
  And playing chess will help them with critical thinking and improve their understanding of math concepts. It’s a great initiative and I look forward to the improved social skills and behavior in our students.
  - known (30/04/2023, 08:56) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    No it won't they aren't solving the problem at hand with is the fact that there is clearly a problem with our education system which starts at primary school. Video games improve critical thinking would you advise they make that part of our curriculum?
frustrated (29/04/2023, 20:34) Like (20) Dislike (12) Reply
Y u keep adding more to the curriculum without reviewing what is there. Y are u all about PLAY. YES , all these are good n dandy but wont amount to nothing unless the main part is FIXED. Some if these children cant even read properly but u have them playing chess. Chess going to get them through life?
- To Frustrated (30/04/2023, 00:40) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
  Play is important too and Chess teaches to think, especially to think ahead. Something we are very poor at as a people and as a territory.
  - down2earth (30/04/2023, 23:23) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    @ To Frustrated - If those in charge were to take a look at the stages of development, they would shift their focus from chess (which is nothing more than a game with limited and learnt moves) . Show statistics before and after playing chess. Do the children develop abstract thinking? Do comprehension, reading and math skills improve?
    Focus should be placed on the fundamentals of reading, number facts etc. Too many of our children are extremely weak in math and also read below both age and grade levels.
    
    Every successive government continues to put within the schools supposedly tools that would help students advance and in less than 2 years hence, we see the non enhancing results manifested in the classroom. Please, go back to basics...no matter how the world and technology changes, 1+1=2; 6÷2=3; 2×3=6; blends are said the same; sight words remain the same, written words remain the same in spelling. Teach children to be critical thinkers through their environment and written text.
    In and aside - This is all very similar to the maturity issue whereby children are forced to stay in school an additional year. Does age determine maturity?
    
    Stop destroying the children's lives!!!!
    
    A native Virgin Islander to the Nth generation
- @ frustrated (30/04/2023, 02:23) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
  Yes chess will get them through life! You don’t know but you are in here making comments. Just like how you took the time to type all this negativity you should have googled to see the benefits of chess in education to get an understanding. Not even a congratulations to the students participating. The negativity in this little place is overbearing!
How about…. (29/04/2023, 20:52) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
How about making farming, cooking and nutrition part of the curriculum. Teach children real life skills instead of focusing on the elite AGAIN….
Deep Sigh (30/04/2023, 02:02) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
I outta school from long but tell me, why this in the curriculum instead of being a club. They also teaching civics? Money management? Financial literacy? Why is chess not a club?
asura (30/04/2023, 04:16) Like (1) Dislike (9) Reply
decastro is he best person for education
confused (30/04/2023, 05:05) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
Chess? CHESSSSS? Children who can’t read, speak nor write and chess is what was settled on?
c (30/04/2023, 08:08) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
When I was younger, I thought I was good at chess, then a guy beat me in a very few moves several times in a row.
Consumer Education (30/04/2023, 11:29) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
Is Consumer Education a part of VI School Curriculum?
nonsense (01/05/2023, 06:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
How about implementing a financial literacy course. Teach them something they WILL actually use when they get out of school. No wonder all they do is play after they get out of high school, IF they get out (worse if they don’t!). Nothing is wrong with chess but how can you implement CHESS OVER FINANCIAL LITERACY?
Full STEAM Ahead (03/05/2023, 01:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
When the education minister actually does something in education, you all let me know. Stop blogging nonsense and ask the teachers what's going on in the schools. Ask them why they are leaving. Ask them how supportive is the ministry of education. Ask them about their at risk students and classroom situations. Ask them why they have to do other jobs to stay above water. Ask teachers how things are in the education system of the BVI. Ask teachers and stop praising people for just showing up for a photo opp. Strupes

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Chess now a part of VI school curriculum – Hon Sharie B. de Castro

27 Responses to “Chess now a part of VI school curriculum – Hon Sharie B. de Castro”

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