Hon Sharie B. de Castro emphasised the importance of engaging with Finland in understanding the foundation of its education system and how it can be replicated in the Virgin Islands. Photo: Internet Source

The Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, and Sports, Honourable Sharie B. de Castro (AL), announced that the Government of the Virgin Islands will be signing direct partnerships with institutions in Finland to support the government's vision of reimagining education in the territory. Photo: Facebook/UMOJA Programme

Minister de Castro and Chief Education Officer Mrs. Orlandette R. Crabbe recently visited Finland for the EDUCA learning event. Photo: VINO/ File

She made this announcement during the Umoja programme on ZBVI 780 AM on February 19, 2025.

Minister de Castro and Chief Education Officer Mrs Orlandette R. Crabbe recently visited Finland for the EDUCA learning event. During the Umoja program, she expressed optimism, stating, "I'm very hopeful that we'll be signing in some very direct partnerships with those institutions there to help support or re-imagine education here in the Virgin Islands."

Four-year degree-granting status mandate in VI for teachers 

"One of the things that I definitely wanted to capture, of course, you know, at HLSCC, I've given them the mandate to seek four-year degree-granting status in very short order, and ultimately, we'll be starting with education."

The Ministry of Education has been working on developing a bachelor's program in education. de Castro emphasised the importance of engaging with Finland in understanding the foundation of its education system and how it can be replicated in the Virgin Islands. 

"As we build out our bachelor's in education program, I wanted to make sure that we engage with Finland to understand the very foundation of how they view education and how they train their teachers because the value is in the training," the minister added.

Significant interest between VI & Finland

de Castro further confirmed there is significant interest between the two regions and anticipates that engagement will begin later this year to advance the ministry’s mandate and reimagine the Virgin Islands' education system.

"We're looking at some engagements where they come here, and we go there, we're still in the conversation phasing terms of exactly how it will look and feel," de Castro further said.