Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie said that his Government recognises and commends the dedication of the Territory’s teachers, who have performed yeoman service in the less than satisfactory conditions.

Honourable Fahie, in his 2022 Budget Address said educators and students deserve a safe and conducive environment and that Government will ensure that schools get top priority.

“To this end the Government will allocate $8.5 million to upgrading schools through the Recovery Development Agency (RDA)”, the Premier said. He added,  “In the 2022 Budget the Government will also allocate $7 million for the redevelopment of the Elmore Stoutt High School campus, $800,000 for the redevelopment of the Eslyn Henley Richez Special Needs Learning Centre, $50,000 to complete ongoing works at Bregado Flax Educational Centre on Virgin Gorda, $400,000 towards commencement of the construction of a modern school building on Jost Van Dyke, $200,000 for design development and engineering works to construct and develop a new modern facility for the Isabella Morris Primary School.”

An additional $1 million will be allocated through local funding and added to the existing $1million for rehabilitation and remedial works on various schools throughout the Virgin Islands. There is a proposed increase by over $255,000 from last year’s allocation to fund school supplies.

The Premier said mold remediation on all public schools will continue through 2022.

“Mr. Speaker, education will get the attention it long deserved and this will not be another talk shop. You can depend on seeing these new buildings at Elmore Stoutt High School. You can depend on seeing the new school on Jost Van Dyke. You can depend on seeing the works start with the design and eventual construction of the Isabella Morris Junior High School. You can depend on seeing more meaningful maintenance of our schools,” Premier Fahie stated.

The 2022 Budget Address was delivered under the theme, “Strategically positioning New Industries with Sustainability and Innovation: Continuing to improve the standard of living with focus on Education, Small Business, Healthcare and Technology”. The address can be viewed at: https://fb.watch/9kHLqc_oxU/ or read at: http://bvi.gov.vg/media-centre/2022-budget-address