Education Minister Honourable Sharie B. de Castro (AL) described the Government’s relationship with HLSCC as foundational, saying that the college and Government had collectively developed a shared vision and mandate and were “running full steam ahead.” Photo: Facebook

Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Honourable Sharie B. de Castro (AL), says increased Government investment in H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) is helping expand access to tertiary education and strengthen the Virgin Islands’ human capital. Photo: Facebook

She made these remarks during the Virgin Islands Voice Programme on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.

Minister de Castro described the Government’s relationship with HLSCC as foundational, saying that the college and Government had collectively developed a shared vision and mandate and were “running full steam ahead.”

Funding is an investment

She stressed that HLSCC is funded by the Government of the Virgin Islands through an annual subvention, and that this support should not be taken for granted.

“Persons like to say that HLSCC is free for Virgin Islanders. That is not the case,” she said. “The Government fully funds and pays for the associate degrees of Virgin Islanders when they go to HLSCC.”

According to the Minister, that funding represents an investment in higher-education access, one she said is not available in many countries and territories across the region. 

Dual enrolment opens doors

Minister de Castro highlighted the importance of the Dual Enrolment programme, saying it creates direct access to tertiary education for students while they are still in high school. “So our students don’t have to think about whether they can do it,” she said. “We create an environment where they know that they can.”

She noted that fully enrolled students in the programme increased from five last year to 60 this year, describing the jump as evidence of significant growth. She also pointed to strong CXC results, saying HLSCC had topped the regional average in several subject areas.

More funding, more results

The Minister linked the college’s progress directly to increased Government spending. She said HLSCC’s budget had increased by $3.1 million, or 38%, over three years since she first took office in 2022. “You can’t get change if you give less,” she said. “But if you give more, you get change.”

She added that student enrolment had increased by about 32% over five years, and said the Government was matching that growth with increased funding. The Government’s 2027 Budget Address similarly reports a 38% increase in HLSCC’s subvention since 2022, with the proposed 2027 allocation at $11,275,800.

Building human capital

Minister de Castro said continued investment in higher education would ultimately benefit the entire territory by developing the skills and qualifications of the local workforce. 

“The more students come, the more our people become interested in higher education, ultimately impacting the level of human capital that is here to resource the territory,” she said. 

She reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to continue investing in HLSCC, adding: “There’s big news coming soon.”