Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Honourable Sharie de Castro will attend the 9th OECS Council of Ministers of Education meetings in St. Kitts from Tuesday, September 10 to Saturday, September 14.

Junior Minister of Culture and Tourism Honourable Luce Hodge Smith will be appointed to act as Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports from September 10 to September 14 while Minister de Castro is away from the Virgin Islands. The minister is scheduled to return to the Territory on September 14.

Honourable Hodge Smith’s appointment is in accordance with Section 52 (2) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007 which states, “The Governor acting in accordance with the advice of the Premier shall, by instrument under the Public Seal, appoint Ministers from among the elected members of the House of Assembly.”

The Government of the Virgin Islands remains committed to the overall development of the Territory through education by the strengthening of its relationship with the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).