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New Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre building set for Sept 8, 2025 opening

- Education Minister Hon Sharie B. de Castro (AL) tells teachers @ Professional Day
The Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre building back in March 2025. Photo: RDA
Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Hon Sharie B. de Castro said differently-abled students of Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre in the Virgin Islands (VI) will be moving into a modern fit-for-purpose facility come September 8, 2025, the start of the new academic year. Photo: Facebook
Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Hon Sharie B. de Castro said differently-abled students of Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre in the Virgin Islands (VI) will be moving into a modern fit-for-purpose facility come September 8, 2025, the start of the new academic year. Photo: Facebook
Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Honourable Sharie B. de Castro (AL) with officials of the Virgin Islands Recovery and development Agency (RDA) at the construction site of the New Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre back in March 2025. Photo: RDA/Facebook
Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Honourable Sharie B. de Castro (AL) with officials of the Virgin Islands Recovery and development Agency (RDA) at the construction site of the New Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre back in March 2025. Photo: RDA/Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Differently-abled students of Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre in the Virgin Islands (VI) will be moving into a modern fit-for-purpose facility come September 8, 2025, the start of the new academic year.

This announcement was made by Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Honourable Sharie B. de Castro (AL) at Professional Day held today, August 25, 2025, at Multi-Purpose Sports Complex under the theme, ‘Full S.T.E.A.M Ahead: Future Focused, Student Led.’

“Come September 8, we will be opening the first purpose-built special education school in the OECS region, the Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre... If you look outside, right across the road, you will see that we are nearing completion," Hon de Castro stated.

‘That’s Reimagining Education’

“Just imagine, purpose-built from the ground up with equipment necessary to facilitate our exceptional students,” Hon de Castro stated to loud applause.

“Did I mention it was the first in the region? In our part of the region?” Hon de Castro asked rhetorically.

“That’s reimagining education. That’s moving Full STEAM Ahead,” the Education Minister and former school teacher said.

The project for the new Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre building at John's Hole received oversight from the Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (RDA).

Students of Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre occupied a building in the vicinity of the former Althea Scatliffe Primary School (ASPS) but were forced to relocate to ASPS following the hurricanes of September 2017. They were subsequently relocated to Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre in Sea Cows Bay.

13 Responses to “New Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre building set for Sept 8, 2025 opening”

  • any bets? (25/08/2025, 15:35) Like (4) Dislike (6) Reply
    Tall Boy is going to say that it was his idea to build this
  • Favor? (25/08/2025, 15:57) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    Who owns the building and what rent is the government paying? How much did the government pay for construction and who was the contractor?
  • All the Way (25/08/2025, 16:42) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is progress
  • Only been (25/08/2025, 17:09) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    On the RDA books since 2019. But hey the kids and staff deserved so much more than what the country has been giving to them!
  • good move (25/08/2025, 17:20) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Virgin Islands are blessed.
  • can you imagine (25/08/2025, 19:19) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Progress finally in 2025.. too far behind ..now time for inclusivity
  • Working (25/08/2025, 20:27) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
    VIP making moves
  • Bout (25/08/2025, 22:31) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    Bout dam time
  • Cindy (26/08/2025, 06:36) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    she remains the hardest working minister in government
  • Fantasy vs reality (26/08/2025, 07:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why not have a picture of the minister standing in front of what the building currently looks like and tell us its nearly finished, what a joke instead she poses in front of a picture of the fantasy of what it should of looked like . Parents rebook your expensive childcare and wait!


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