Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley has commended his ministry’s team for its hard work last year which he said was ‘an unconventional time’.

“It was a very difficult year, no one anticipated COVID 19,” Honourable Wheatley stated, adding, “We had to do a lot of things in an unconventional way and we would have never been able to make it through the year without your hard work and sacrifice.”

The minister while reflecting on the ministry’s achievements during 2020 said, “You were able to adapt to new situations and so I want to say thank you so much for all you have done to serve the people of the Virgin Islands and me, in my role as minister.”

Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Carolyn Stoutt Igwe also saluted the members of the team who she said worked tirelessly to lead their teams to assist the ministry in fulfilling its vision and mission.

The following are projects that were completed under the ministry during the year under the theme, “2020: a Year of Renewed Vision and Zeal”. 

• January 14 -The faculty and staff of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) celebrated 30 years since the institution’s founding with a ceremony to highlight its achievements.
• February 11-  The Adopt A school programme was relaunched with the adoption of Leonora Deville Primary School by the Belmont Association.
• March 21 - The BVI National Commission for UNESCO observed World Poetry Day with a poetry competition under the theme “Celebrating the forefathers of our nation who set the path for 70 years of legislation.”
• April 17 - The Department of Youth Affairs and Sports hosted a virtual Rap Battle featuring several up and coming artists in the Virgin Islands.
• May 26- The Education Unit commences a weekly online support programme titled “A Chat with the Community” to help support parents with children in school and enrolled in remote learning.
• June 5 - The Department of Culture launched a virtual exhibition series on the lives and journey of the Territory’s local heroes and freedom fighters including Perreen Georges and Noel Lloyd.
• July 2 - The Ministry launched the positive Behavior Management Campaign which was said to be a success with teachers, principals and education officers who were trained in behavioural management. The campaign is said to have reached over 20, 000 residents.
• August 6 - The 2020 graduating class of the Elmore Stoutt High School celebrated their achievements with a Drive-in Ceremony.
• September 25 - The Government of the Virgin Islands signed a contract for $100,000 with AGS Construction for work on Phase II of the Jeffrey Caines Sports Arena in Virgin Gorda.
• October 26 - The Government of the Virgin Island in partnership with the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), the University of Exeter and the Association of Reef Keepers (ARK) BVI virtually launched a three-year sea turtle conservation project titled “Sustaining Turtles, Environment, Economies, and Livelihoods” (STEEL).
• November 13 - Dr. Richard Georges was officially named as the first Virgin Island’s Poet Laureate.
• December 21 - Contract signed for the rebuilding of the Jost Van Dyke Primary School.

 “Soaring to Higher Heights of Excellence in Service to our Clients for 2021”, is this year’s theme by which the ministry will be guided.

To view the full list of achievements and events in 2020 Year in Review Video, visit the Government’s Facebook page @BVIGovernment or click the link https://fb.watch/35ywVRPP52/ .