Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Honourable Sharie B. de Castro said the Education World Forum addressed the changes in education and what the world has learned from the recent disruptions.

Honourable de Castro while speaking on the outcome of the Education World Forum (EWF) held in the United Kingdom from May 7 to 10, added that the forum also addressed the world’s responses to these changes; and the long term challenges which lie ahead.

The minister said the ultimate goal of education is to create independent thinkers and that the student’s voice should play a critical role in the development of any type of curriculum.  

 “In the past, teachers were seen as the engineers behind the educational space, they are in fact the facilitators to this goal,” she said.

“Teachers should be facilitating learning and creating an opportunity for innovation and creativity to be exuded through the instruction in the classroom,” Honourable de Castro said.

Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Dr. Marcia Potter said that the Education World Forum examined policies for development of knowledge, skills, attitudes and values.

Dr. Potter said, “Sharing with other educators, policy makers and stakeholders of education created a platform to reflect on the importance of leadership, and the growing potential of technology’s support for education’s core aims of Science; Technology; Engineering; Arts; and Mathematics.”

The Permanent Secretary said the forum’s programme considers education’s sustainability as well as its potential to contribute to global sustainability and economic development. 

Deputy Chief Education Officer, Mrs. Orlandette Crabbe said that the forum confirmed that Virgin Islands education is moving along in the right direction, in reimaging education in the Territory.  Mrs Crabbe said, “It was rewarding to see and hear much of what we have been fleshing out for the past year taking place in education systems throughout the world.  We endeavor to use much of what we have learnt, as we continue to move education in the Territory, full steam ahead.”

The Education World Forum 2023 was held in London under the theme, ‘New Beginnings: Nurturing Learning Culture, Building Resilience, Promoting Sustainability. Stronger, Bolder, Better Education by Design.’ 

The forum is the largest gathering of education and skills ministers in the world, and provides a platform for education leaders to discuss and share ideas on how to improve education systems globally.  The 2023 event saw over 115 registered countries and territories in attendance.

The Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, remains committed to providing high quality education and rehabilitative services, as well as, to facilitate access to, and participation in sports and recreation, in an effort to enrich the lives of all residents of the Virgin Islands.

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Note to Editors:

Image features from L to R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Ph.D. Marcia Potter; Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Honourable Sharie B. de Castro; Deputy Chief Education Officer, Mrs. Orlandette Crabbe.