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Education Ministry allocated $2.85M for capital projects in 2024 budget

Virgin Islands (VI) Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley while delivering the 2024 Budget address has outlined the fiscal package which included funding for local education under Subject Minister Sharie B. de. Castro (AL) to the tune of $53.38M. Photo: GIS/File
Premier Wheatley said by improving the teaching and learning environment, the quality of education will be enhanced to create spaces that inspire curiosity, creativity, and academic excellence. Photo: GIS
Premier Wheatley said by improving the teaching and learning environment, the quality of education will be enhanced to create spaces that inspire curiosity, creativity, and academic excellence. Photo: GIS
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Virgin Islands (VI) Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley while delivering the 2024 Budget address has outlined the fiscal package which included funding for local education under Subject Minister Sharie B. de. Castro (AL) to the tune of $53.38M.

The Premier said 11.34% or $53.38 million of the budget will go towards to the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, comprised of $50.53 million in recurrent expenditure and $2.85 million for development.

The Premier in his statement said, “Recognizing the transformative potential of education, especially in the realms of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (S.T.E.A.M.), in 2024 we will particularly focus on expanding the initiative with a focus on developing and implementing a comprehensive S.T.E.A.M-focused education program for Pre-primary and Primary grades.” 

He said that the physical environment in which education takes place plays a crucial role in shaping the learning experience and therefore, the VI will prioritize funding and support to implement a comprehensive school infrastructure maintenance plan.”

Enhancing education in the VI

Premier Wheatley added that by improving the teaching and learning environment, the quality of education will be enhanced to create spaces that inspire curiosity, creativity, and academic excellence. 

Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Honorable Sharie B. de Castro (AL) in a post statement on the budget address said, the ministry will remain dedicated to improving the sector. 

“The Ministry has committed through the funding allocated, to ensure that we create, new initiatives and programming, to be able to ultimately meet the needs of our future-which are our children.” 

“I look forward to seeing how the 2024 budget will impact the lives of our educators as well as our young people as we continue to move Virgin Islands Education Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead,” she further noted.

10 Responses to “Education Ministry allocated $2.85M for capital projects in 2024 budget”

  • smh (27/11/2023, 18:11) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
    she here or she going with them Tuesday or will she meet them Dubai...this place is a joke
    • @SMH (28/11/2023, 06:55) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
      No mannn, she just step off the red eye from Paris. She get on that plane to Dubai, this time the people will take it to the streets for sure. WE THE PEOPLE, HER EMPLOYERS NEEDS TO KNOW HOW MUCH OF OUR MONEY SHE SPENT ON FIRST CLASS PLANE TICKETS AND 5 STAR HOTEL.
  • Trumb (27/11/2023, 18:24) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    It was a clarion call that education is a priority
  • students (27/11/2023, 18:29) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    That is not good enough. We need more
  • We in trouble (27/11/2023, 23:59) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    When ayo gonna build back the mighty mighty scattliffe?
  • ReX FeRal (28/11/2023, 07:22) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
    Under such circumstances this minister decastro has inherited a mess from two waste of time men Myron and Showande but she has done very very well
    • @ReX FeRal (28/11/2023, 09:30) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
      Stop making excuses for her, she knew what she was signing up for. The shameful part is she was once an Educator. She is a failure as Education Minister point blank, I said it, who don’t like what I’ve said can go marinate on hot rocks in the blazing sun.
  • smh (28/11/2023, 10:06) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sharie you need to build back asps
    You need a lunch programme in the schools
    And you need to fix existing schools. Old furniture needs to be removed, MOLD!!!!!!!!!! Stop pushing steam without the resources and teachers coming out their pocket for innovative week and other initiatives. Focus on the structure of these schools!
    • Why (28/11/2023, 13:55) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      ASPS is not an urgent need. We have classrooms with 4 and 5 students. Fill those and Channel that money on other urgent needs for the operating schools.
  • Nancy (28/11/2023, 13:11) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    she dont look like minister any more


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