Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Honourable Sharie B. de Castro says she has a vision to continue to develop the critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration and innovation skills of students in the Territory.

Honourable de Castro while addressing educators at the 2024 Professional Development Day also announced the official opening of the 2024 – 2025 School Year to be continued under the theme, “ Virgin Islands Education: Moving Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead”.

            Honourable de Castro said, “We are developing a reimagined curriculum, where students are not just users of technology, but are equipped with the skills to become creators of industries. From the introduction of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (S.T.E.A.M) innovations and lower secondary to the expansion of robotics and coding in upper secondary, we have answered the call of our students to continue to nurture their curiosity and ingenuity through a focus on digital literacy and innovation.”

            Acting Chief Education Officer, Mrs. Orlandette Crabbe said, “We can already see S.T.E.A.M education changing our students, by affording them the skills they need to thrive in an ever-evolving world, preparing them not just for jobs that exist today, but for the opportunities of the future that you nor I have yet to envision.  This is why the transformation we are on is so critical.”  

            Meanwhile, Premier of the Virgin Islands, Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley also recognised the benefits that the initiative has on educators. He said, “As we are preparing our students for an ever-evolving world and a new landscape, so too we must acknowledge that there is a need for educators to be on a path of constant development – constantly updating your knowledge, reviewing and revising your methods, and pivoting as necessary. And this is where I believe Professional Day and Summer Institute makes its greatest impact.”

            S.T.E.A.M is the theme for the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports since 2022 in its commitment to better equipped students for a technologically competitive world.

Professional Development Day is a day dedicated to encouraging educators and refocusing their vision for the new school year. The day is part of a week long summer institute that is filled with various educational sessions with a special focus on the laws governing education, the changing climate of education and establishing strategic plans.

To view the full 2024 Professional Development Day Ceremony visit the Government’s Facebook page or click the following link: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/ZKMf3rHFgStdSuNc/