Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Mrs. Carolyn Stoutt Igwe; Chief Education Officer, Mrs. Connie George; Reverend Anthony; Education Officers, Principals, Teachers, Parents, and I extend a very special welcome to Dr. Laurette Bristol, Programme Manager for Human Resource Development at the Caricom Secretariat.  I am pleased that through the wonders of technology we can still see the benefits of the sterling work being done in the region on education.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley has announced that public schools across the Territory will be reopened in a phased approach.

Good day and God’s blessings to all.  As we continue in our fight against this global pandemic, which has crippled economies across the globe and shutdown schools from the east to the west, it is important we adopt a spirit of thanksgiving for how God has kept us safe.  Our health officials have worked hard to keep up safe, and for this we are grateful.  The cooperation of the public has been key in our fight against COVID-19, and I kindly ask that we do not get weary in well-doing. Stay safe by following the protocols of wearing our masks, hand washing frequently and practicing social distancing. 

The public is notified of the following special dates for education during the remainder of the month of October.

Junior Minister for Tourism and Territorial Member Honourable Sharie de Castro announced the winners of the 2020 Territorial Back-to-School Essay Competition that was held on Monday 19^th August, 2020.

Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie chaired the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the University of the West Indies (UWI) Development Partner Forum.

It is  indeed my pleasure to warmly welcome you to today’s Development Partner Forum that has brought us together for dialogue and partnership under the theme, ‘Investing in Higher Education to Build More Diversified and Resilient Post-COVID Economies in the Caribbean.’ 

Virgin Islanders who wish to study in other countries for the 2021/2022 academic school year are invited to apply for the distinguished Virgin Islands Scholarship Abroad Programme through the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture.

The public is notified that Reading is Fun Week will be observed from October 11 to 17 under the theme, “Read Empower”.  The schedule of activities for the week is as follows:

Any person who puts a book in the hands of a young child, is a person who is confident that the child will change the future.  “To read is to empower, to empower is to write, to write is to influence, to influence is to change, to change is to live.” –unknown