STATEMENT BY HONOURABLE SHARIE B. DE CASTRO
MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, CULTURE, YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS
SIXTH SITTING OF THE FOURTH SESSION OF THE FOURTH HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

THURSDAY, 21^ST JULY, 2022

PRIMARY EXIT RESULTS AND SECONDARY GRADUATION RESULTS 2022

Madam Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to update this Honourable House and the territory on the 2022 Primary Exit and Secondary School-Leaving results and graduations ceremonies.

Our teachers and students have continued to demonstrate great resilience as they dealt with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. During this academic year, as was true for the previous two years, teaching and learning occurred in a combination of online and face-to-face modalities, as necessary. For the Elmore Stoutt High School, their return to face-to-face classes was on a shift schedule of 8:00 to 12:30 p.m. and 1:00 to 4:30 p.m.

There were 330 students from 13 public primary schools and 6 private primary schools in Grade Six this school year. A total of 310 students were promoted to Grade Seven and 20 students were transitioned to Grade Seven where they will be allowed to do remedial work to close learning gaps. Exit and graduation ceremonies were held from 22^nd June to 3^rd July, 2022.

Madam Speaker, this year, a total of 224 students were enrolled in Grade 12 at public secondary schools. A total of 168 students or 75% were successful and 56 or 25% were unsuccessful in meeting graduation requirements. A total of 104 students achieved honour roll status, with 97 being honours and 7 high honours.

Madam Speaker, I offer sincere congratulations to all our students and commend principals and teachers who have contributed to their success this academic year. While recognising the accomplishments, we are also cognizant of the challenges and are committed to addressing them.

This is why the Ministry ensured that students at the secondary level who were unsuccessful in meeting graduation requirements were given the opportunity to attend Summer School. On July 5^th, summer school convened with a total of one hundred eighty-nine registered students from grades ten to twelve, from across the territory’s public secondary schools. Students who were unsuccessful in one subject and/or the Exit Proficiency Examination (EPE) were allowed to attend summer school. Over, the past couple weeks, sixteen (16) teachers have been providing intense intervention in select subject areas for these students.

During the orientation session for the Summer School programme, strict guidelines for the month­long summer school session were shared with students and parents. Both the parents and students were required to sign a contract stipulating attendance and behaviour requirements in order for students to attend.

Madam Speaker, of the one hundred and eighty-nine (189) students registered, twenty-two (22) attend the Bregado Flax Educational Centre in Virgin Gorda, fifteen (15) attend the Virgin Islands School of Technical Studies and one hundred fifty-two (152) attend the Elmore Stoutt High School.

The students from VISTS and ESHS are attending sessions at the ESHS campus in Pasea Estate. On Virgin Gorda, sessions are being held at BFEC Secondary. The three hour sessions begin daily at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Assessments for each subject offered are being conducted.

Madam Speaker, of the total number of students attending Summer School sessions this year, about seventy students are attending the Exit Proficiency Examination (EPE) preparation classes. Forty-two of the students mentioned above did not meet graduation requirements in June 2022. This Summer School initiative gives these students another opportunity to attain their high school diploma and thereafter move on to the world of work or tertiary institutions. They will retake the Exit Proficiency Examination on 29^th July.

As we approach the next school year, an overall review of curriculum and assessment policies, which will include the promotion and retention policy will commence to check effectiveness and quality assurance since implementation.

Madam Speaker, for the past two and a half months, since assuming the position of Minister for Education, the Ministry has been working tirelessly to bring about reform to ensure that a firm foundation based on policy and legislation is in place. Without policy and legislation to guide the

direction of what happens in our country, we then become ‘leaves flying in the wind’ subject to the ‘whims and fancies’ of whatever is placed before us.

Therefore, over the next few months, the Ministry will be concentrating on policy development. Policies in place will be reviewed and revised where necessary and developed where needed.

Madam Speaker, at this time, I must take this opportunity to recognise and appreciate the efforts of Ministry staff, principals, teachers, counselors and parents for their diligence in preparing our students for their matriculation to the next phase.

Madam Speaker, as I conclude this statement, I would like to recognise those educators who are retiring from the service at the end of this academic year. They are:

I must publicly thank these educators for their sterling contribution to the education system in the Virgin Islands and express best wishes for a happy retirement.

Thank you Madam Speaker.