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'Options' being explored to temporarily house ASPS students- Hon de Castro

- as school building remains closed due to safety concerns
The closed Althea Scatliffe Primary School building today, July 21, 2022. The Education Ministry plans to temporarily house students for the new school term. Photo: VINO
Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture Hon Sharie B. de Castro (AL) has said the Education Ministry is currently ‘exploring options for temporarily housing students’ and will make an announcement shortly. Photo: YouTube
Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture Hon Sharie B. de Castro (AL) has said the Education Ministry is currently ‘exploring options for temporarily housing students’ and will make an announcement shortly. Photo: YouTube
DUFF’S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI- It is still unclear what will be the fate of the Althea Scatliffe Primary School (ASPS) building; however, it is the intention of the Education Ministry to seek temporary housing for the affected students ahead of the new school year.

‘We had to move swiftly’ to close ASPS- Hon de Castro

It was on June 16, 2022, that the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, and Sports receiving a report, documenting a recent inspection of the Althea Scatliffe Primary School.

The report had recommended that the use of the school building be suspended immediately, due to concerns with the structural integrity of the building.

The school was closed the following day.

“We had to move swiftly to close the school to ensure the safety of all users of the building,” Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture Hon Sharie B. de Castro (AL) stated during the Sixth Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) at Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff’s Bottom, Tortola today, July 21, 2022.

ASPS students to be relocated

The Minister; however, did not say what would be the fate of the school building, which remains unused.

“Currently, we are exploring options for temporarily housing students and we will make an announcement shortly.

“We must do everything possible to ensure the safety of faculty and students and this sentiment goes for all schools throughout the Virgin Islands,” Hon de Castro stated.

The Education Minister also said a maintenance team has already begun to do works across schools in the territory, in anticipation of the opening of schools for the 2022/2023 school year.

8 Responses to “'Options' being explored to temporarily house ASPS students- Hon de Castro”

  • Enquiring Minds Want to Know (21/07/2022, 15:17) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
    How soon is soon? Parents have a decision to make and school clothes to purchase.
  • west (21/07/2022, 15:26) Like (27) Dislike (1) Reply
    Here we go again to sign a CTL contract as we the public pay for housing and maintenance while the establishment walk away with all them monies! The AF, rented a set of buildings, put the whole administration building to repair instead of commission sections to repair to decrease already inflated rental for the government. The original post office is just sitting there when it should have been repaired and utilized its space. BVI we are going in a circle.
  • Curious (21/07/2022, 15:33) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    Is one of those options tents like what was done to students of Isabella Morris and Leonora Delville students?
  • .... (21/07/2022, 17:23) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    to me high school way behind so right now education just running around like a headless duck
  • resident (21/07/2022, 18:41) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    What is wrong with building? What caused it? Have we been told?
    • News Hound (22/07/2022, 08:35) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      @Resident
      The roof concrete was spalling because it had not been maintained. This is not the only school on which this has occurred. The roofs should have been coated to keep out water and prevent deterioration of the steel beams. Didn't happen. Result is pieces of concrete breaking loose.

      The school also doesn't meet seismic standards.
  • hmmm (22/07/2022, 06:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is ludicrous! This is what I love the BVI loud mouth Cindy should be talking about on Tola Radio “oops i forgot she’s ban for about 2 weeks after selling out HBH for 138 views on a failing platform…. That’s crazy how a whole show was about Heritage.


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