Statement

Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports
Topics: 
Culture
Release Date:
Thursday, 24 December 2015 - 11:30am

Romans Chapter 8, verses 37 to 39 reminds us, "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."  

I’m Myron V. Walwyn, Minister for Education and Culture and your Territorial

This time of year we celebrate the ultimate gift that our Lord God gave to us, his son Jesus Christ.  As we recall the

It is the same love from God that throughout this year has helped us see through our

I pray that that same love reminds us to be our brothers’ keepers during this season of merriment and throughout 2016.  There are those amongst us that during this holiday season may need an extra hand, a kind word of encouragement o

Christmas is a time that we should

Within the Ministry of Education and Culture, 2015 brought about many changes and opportunities.  There were also lessons to be learned which I believe will help us to achieve our goal of creating a culture of excellence f

  • The launch of the Virgin Islands National Youth Policy and Strategic Framework
  • Three sittings of the Virgin Islands National Youth Parliament – an opportunity to expose and engage our young people to topical issue of the day.  I believe anyone who has heard or seen these sittings would agree, that our youth parliamentarians are impressive and have delivered exemplary debates that our senior parliamentarians should take note of
  • The advancement of our licensure programme for principals and senior teachers throughout our school system
  • A successful launch of an additional year of secondary education to assist our students with truly mastering their course work to better prepare them for work and tertiary education
  • The appointment of a designated education professional to help drive the modernization of a strong academic and social programme for our differently abled students​
  • Improved standards in our education system
  • Opportunities for advancement for education professionals
  • Additional educational and social support for our students from pre-primary to tertiary level
  • Greater opportunities for our youth to participate in the overall development of the Virgin Islands
  • Greater development of institutions to increase our pride and love for these Virgin Islands

I take this opportunity to say a very special thank you to the staff at the Ministry of Education and Culture, its departments and units.  Particularly I must thank our school principals who have demonstrated a renewed commitment to our students and advancing our education system with the vision of preparing our youth to lead a modern Virgin Islands.  They are charged with managing our schools, creating an environment for learning, and supporting the work of our teachers, the men and women, who I continue to remind our community are the true architects of our society, as they mold our students. 

I also offer my thanks and appreciation to the support staff within our schools and the departments and units guided by the Ministry, your work contributes immensely to the development of a strong and vibrant modern Virgin Islands society. 

Under the leadership of our Premier, Hon Dr D. Orlando Smith, OBE we continue to see changes and advancements in all areas of Virgin Islands society. Despite our challenges, as a community we collectively have much to be thankful for, and as scripture once again reminds us - we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.  

On behalf of the dedicated men and women of our public service, and my family, I thank you all for your continued prayers and blessings for our Territory and we wish one and all, a warm and joyous VHappy holidays Virgin Islands!