D2 Rep accused of putting playground @ Ivan Dawson school without authorisation
The playground was donated by a corporate entity in the Virgin Islands, through the Second District Committee, to replace the old playground at the school. The materials for the playground were placed at Ivan Dawson Primary School on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, after, according to Hon Turnbull, he was unable to get any clear word from the Education Ministry, and the container with the playground equipment was accumulating wharfage fees.
He also claimed that a school child sustained a facial injury on the old playground as recently as Monday.
Hon Turnbull’s version
Speaking to police officers at Ivan Dawson Primary School this morning, January 28, 2026, Hon Turnbull said he had been seeking information on what needed to be done to meet the policy of the Education Ministry, but had not received a response some two weeks later. He said he had spoken to the Minister, her Permanent Secretary and even an At Large Member, who is one of the Minister’s colleagues; however, no acknowledgement was received.
He said he was told by his Committee on Monday night to bring the playground on the school grounds to “force the Ministry of Education, through the Minister, to come and have a conversation because this playground that is here, that has been damaging children for the last three and a half years, is no benefit to this community and it is hazardous.
“So all of a sudden I could get all of the communications, after I came yesterday with the container and we offloaded it, and today, I was coming here to the school to bring the caution tape to ensure it was secured properly so the children don’t get damaged,” Hon Turnbull said.
Efforts to get a comment from Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Hon Sharie B. de Castro (AL), Permanent Secretary Mr Claude A. Kettle, and Chief Education Officer Orlandette R. Crabbe were unsuccessful up to the time of publication. Both Hon de Castro and Mrs Crabbe are currently overseas on travel duty.
Private donors urged to ‘work through established channels’
The Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs & Sports, in a statement today, however, said it is aware of the situation involving the placement and subsequent removal of items at the Ivan Dawson Primary School campus.
The Ministry said it wanted to clarify that any equipment, materials or infrastructure placed on the grounds of a public school must follow established procedures, including the Ministry’s Donor Acceptance Policy and site approval processes, to ensure student safety, accountability and proper integration into the school environment.
“On this occasion, items were placed on the school compound without the required authorisation or prior clearance from the Ministry. As a result, and following reports from the school administration, the Ministry took steps to have the items removed.”
The Ministry added that it remains grateful for the generosity of donors and community partners who wish to support schools and reiterates that such support is always welcome once the appropriate processes are followed.
“We continue to encourage persons and organisations wishing to support schools to work through the established channels to ensure that all donations are properly coordinated and approved.”
Efforts to get additional comments from Hon Turnbull were unsuccessful.
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11 Responses to “D2 Rep accused of putting playground @ Ivan Dawson school without authorisation”
We will be left with L Smith building and cleaning everything. No good deed in the VI seems to go unpunished.
It really is almost impossible to get anything done. From buying and selling houses, to work permits, to cruising permits, to court prosecutions, to filling Acting positions.
VI is at a standstill and has been for so many, many years.
This is utterly shameful and the subject minister needs to provide clarity and not heavy handedness especially by her minions!