The Government of the Virgin Islands is having the Althea Scatliffe Primary School demolished following a report on the structural integrity of the building.

The announcement to demolish the building was made on 16^th June, 2022, after Civil and Structural Engineering Limited completed a structural assessment and found the school to be unsafe for continued occupancy.

Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Honourable Sharie B. deCastro recounted the necessary steps that had to be taken in order to swiftly arrive to the decision of closing down the school in the first instance and further demolishing the structure.

Honourable deCastro said, “This immediate action was in response to concerns expressed by the staff, faculty and parents about the many structural issues plaguing the school. These complaints included the fact that sections of the roof had already caved in, other portions were breaking more frequently and the teachers were uneasy every day in the building.”  

The Minister for Education further stated that she is happy to see the beginning of what is to come, a new Althea Scatliffe Primary School, which will see the return of its students in a suitable environment, conducive to learning.

Honourable deCastro added that it is a bitter/sweet moment for teachers and students past or present of the Althea Scatliffe Primary School. 

“The demolition of this structure signals a rebuild, to which the Government is fully committed, so students can return to the home of the “Mighty, Mighty Scatliffe” by school year 2024/2025,” she added

A group of past and present teachers and students of the Althea Scatliffe Primary School gathered on the school campus on Saturday, April 2 wearing uniform colours of pink and maroon to pay homage, and sing “the last chant” as they released balloons into the air prior to the commencement of the demolition.

The demolition is expected to take approximately three weeks.   

Photo 1 & 2 of 3: Views of the demolition of the Althea Scatliffe Primary School (ASPS)

Photo 3 of 3: Pictured are Minister for Education, Honourable Sharie deCastro along with Principal of the ASPS, Deputy Chief Education Officer and other Ministry officials