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'There's this feeling that going to school is not fun'- Hon de Castro

- Says to counteract, Ministry looking to push STEAM into curriculum & build interest
Recognising that schools may have become 'boring; for today's smartphone & app conscious youth, Education Minister Hon Sharie B. de Castro (AL) says the Virgin Islands (VI) education system will now be pushing STEAM learning, a tools based umbrella term for more focus on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics into the school curriculum. Photo: GIS/Facebook
Education Minister Hon Sharie B. de Castro said in the VI, the education system can start teaching the aforementioned skills in school, however, there are blocks that must be first built to progressively move to the point of being able to effectively teach in key areas of S.T.E.A.M with the new approach. Photo: Internet Source
Education Minister Hon Sharie B. de Castro said in the VI, the education system can start teaching the aforementioned skills in school, however, there are blocks that must be first built to progressively move to the point of being able to effectively teach in key areas of S.T.E.A.M with the new approach. Photo: Internet Source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Recognising that schools may have become 'boring; for today's smartphone and app-conscious youth, Minister for Education and Sports, Hon Sharie B. de Castro (AL) says the Virgin Islands (VI) education system will now be pushing STEAM learning, a tools based umbrella term for more focus on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics into the school curriculum.

Speaking on the September 28, 2022, edition of 'Public Eye', a show aired on the Facebook page of the Government Information Services (GIS), the minister said that children learn by doing and as such, a more hands-on, group collaboration approach to education will be adopted.

Change in approach to teaching & learning  

"I believe the project-based type of learning that we are seeking to engage in the curriculum from all levels, the primary and secondary... it creates an opportunity for us to change the way that we teach to fit the learning styles of our children," she said. 

"Most of our children, when you really look at it, there is this feeling that going to school is boring, that it's not exciting and it's not fun... and I believe it's because of the reality of engagement, how do you engage? How do you use the very things that they are interested in?" she questioned.

Hon de Castro said an approach like that would then become a force to build interest as in the case of children being users of apps; however, the education system can start to explore how to move children from being users of apps, to becoming creators 

Teachers have welcomed the idea - Hon de Castro 

She said in the VI, the education system can start teaching those skills in school; however, there are blocks that must be first built to progressively move to the point of being able to teach key areas of STEAM with the new approach.

Meanwhile, the Minister said the idea has already been welcomed and encouraged by teachers since it facilitates a type of learning that meets the target of education.

Hon de Castro added that traditional pen and paper learning will not work for STEAM which will require more resources and as such the ministry has made a commitment to making the financial resources available to ensure tools are available for both teachings and learning in the area.

20 Responses to “'There's this feeling that going to school is not fun'- Hon de Castro”

  • stop making excuses (30/09/2022, 08:56) Like (24) Dislike (13) Reply
    School is mandatory. everything is life aint fun. don't put that idea in their heads. They are kids, they believe anything. Besides that, you need a better photo decastro. You are in the position, act like you like it. even if you don't. represent yourself well
  • resident (30/09/2022, 09:01) Like (16) Dislike (9) Reply
    Yes children get bored because teachers are too lazy to group children. If a child leaves pre school knowing letters numbers how to write etc why are they repeating the same thing for a whole year in kindergarten. Pull those children and give them additional work. A student in grade 1 was given a topic to write on and the teacher bragging because the child wrote 2 sentences. I know that child could have written 5 or 6. Push the children when they have the ability. But teachers prefer to just teach the whole class the same thing and that's how the students get bored.
  • KIds in school (30/09/2022, 09:42) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    need to be challenged everyday. They can have fun after school. If not challenged with learning in school kids will get bored and play on their phones most of the day like in the civil service here.
  • Please Fix the Fans (30/09/2022, 10:02) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    How can it be fun when the children are sweating bullets in those bloody hot classroom. EVERYDAY my daughter comes home frustrated that the children are complaining and NOTHING is being done. She is on the 3rd floor and says she can't imagine how junior students on the ground are coping. How can one learn and be happy in a sweat box. You all need to keep House of Assembly in a room and WITHOUT air conditioning and you would see what children are dealing with in a climate such as ours where the sun is punishing. At the very least the Government can GET WORKING FANS. Now, tell me can school be fun when you have to worry about actually being comfortable in heat???? SMDH
  • Responsibility (30/09/2022, 10:06) Like (20) Dislike (6) Reply
    Parents cannot control their children and get them motivated but they want the teachers to work miracles.
  • youths (30/09/2022, 10:37) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    NOT VOTING FOR HER WILL BE FUN
  • vex (30/09/2022, 11:17) Like (3) Dislike (31) Reply
    I must say she is passionate about education unlike Myron who only played politics
    • the rock (01/10/2022, 08:04) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
      She is ok but can't be compared to Myron, he was the best minister we have seen in thst spot, that's facts
  • Kez (30/09/2022, 11:20) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    school must be more than just the syllabus
    teachers could have social interest in the students
  • please (30/09/2022, 11:33) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    Can we start with teaching the basics? Math and grammar. When you accomplish that you can move on to more advanced subjects. These kids applying for jobs here can’t do basic arithmetic and don’t have legible resumes.
    • @Please (30/09/2022, 13:49) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
      You cannot really teach grammar. You teach grammar rules. If a child does not speak correctly on a daily basis the rules will not stick in their heads. Children have to speak correctly and read a lot. When the rules are taught it will be easy for that child to remember. We as a society must begin to speak correctly. Dialect has its place but so many people even teachers need to speak properly to kids and insist that the child answer correctly.
  • TALK THAT (30/09/2022, 12:28) Like (9) Dislike (6) Reply
    some of the essential workers such a police and teachers have no real social interest in the country. It is more a Financial interest end of month or 15 & 30 per month
  • NB (30/09/2022, 14:22) Like (13) Dislike (5) Reply
    Miss Education Minista ma’am, you neva cease to amaze me. All a y’all. Have you guys seen the conditions that these children and teachers have to function under at school? For years now? Would y’all like to go to your office and be in discomfort? Will you be motivated and in any state to get work done? But here you are ranting….
    • @NB (30/09/2022, 15:33) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
      The condition that children are in nowadays may not always be ideal but they are a whole lot better than in the past. We learnt back then. We had toilets that smelled that didn't work properly classes next to each other noise in your head all day long and we still learnt because we had TEACHERS. Not just people who in it for the money. Parents have to play a big part as well. Get on your child's case. Check their books daily. Let them come off the electronics and read/ study and do homework. Make up tests for your child. Quiz them on their notes. Let them explain a concept to you. Find extra information on the internet for a topic they did. Stop trying to throw blame on the ministers. Whoever in there you all will blame them. Look at yourselves first!
      • EXK (01/10/2022, 16:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        T@@NB

        I beg to differ. While some children may learn under those conditions, it is not conducive l to learning in the bigger scheme of things. The temperatures of yesteryears are not the same. The planet overall and the temperatures are much hotter than they use to be. It does not make it right for children and teachers to function in sweat shop conditions. I agree that they should at least have working fans.
  • kids (30/09/2022, 18:02) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    IN THODMSE DAYS WERE WELL DISCIPLINED AND EVERYONE SHARED THE UPBRINGING UP OF EACHOTHER 'S CHILDREN / THEY WERE BROUGHT UP / MOST OF THESE KIDS ARE
    DRAGGED UP THESE , , SO IF A TEACHER TRY TO DICILPINE THE KIDS ( NOW A DAYS ) AND THEY DON'T WANT TO BE TOLD WHAT IS WRONG AND WON'T BE TOLERATED ON THE SCHOOL'S PREMISES , ALL THEY HAS TO DO IS GO TO GO HOME AND TELL THEIR PARENTS THAT A TEACHER ( DISSIN ) THEM , NEXT THING IS THE PARENTS WILL BE COMING TO SCHOOL TO DISCIPLINE THE TEACHER , / SO ITS ITS A NO WIN SITUATION ,THEREFORE ITS THE PARENTS RESPONSIBILITY TO BRING THEIR KIDS UP RESPECTABLY ( THN AGAIN , KIDS GETTING KIDS , AND THEY ARE EXPOSED TO WHATEVER IS OUT THERE ( DRUGS
  • Hmm (30/09/2022, 22:35) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well truth be told, if they spent the money on schools instead of that glorified housing project, we'd never be in this position.
    Priorities jacked up.
  • Colonialized Curriculum (30/09/2022, 23:35) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    After teaching them about being slaves and not about where their ancestors came from and focusing on actual skills they are going to need in 'real life' of course it gets boring. No primary program about owning a business but a ton of homework and SBAs on how to become an employee, sure boredom....They watch their parents struggle everyday and they do see that something does not add up. Like what is the point? Go to school just to come and pay bills... Please please reconstruct the curriculum because it was designed to keep them begging for jobs or work in a sweat shop
  • Reporter (01/10/2022, 12:41) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The education minister means well and we need to give her credit for speaking out on these issues. However, in order to see progress the entire education system needs to be restructured. A thorough overview of the curriculum is urgently needed from Grade K upwards. There needs to be ongoing workshops/ seminars for teachers to enhance their professional development. At the Primary level the majority of teachers believe that once they graduate from HLSCC with an Associate degree they have arrived and that they know it all and so the poor children suffer from grade to grade at the hands of these people. Something urgently must be done to eliminate this mass teaching and cater to the individual needs of the children at their varying abilities. And last but not least, Parents must play their part and support their children at all times. Sometimes you may have to go the extra mile, but don’t give up on them.
  • what (01/10/2022, 17:35) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    What happen to the $400k Air condition contract that was granted to that Air Condition Company that gone down the drain?


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