Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Honourable Sharie B. de Castro has said that a review of her ministry’s existing curriculum will be done this year to ensure it is aligned with the tenets of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM).

Honourable de Castro said the review is among initiatives that will be implemented to improve the existing education system of the Virgin Islands.

The Minister said, “The last curriculum review was done in 2007. Therefore, we are long overdue for a review which will commence this year. Integral to this mandate is the provision of modern and effective resources for Early Childhood, Languages, Mathematics, Science, Technical Subjects, Music, Art, Physical Education and Special Education. This is because we strongly believe that our schools must be fully equipped with the necessary resources to facilitate teaching and learning efficiently.” 

Honourable de Castro who appeared with Premier and Minister for Finance Dr. Honourable Natalio Wheatley at a press on Friday, January 6 also announced the revision of several policies to support the transformation of education for the Territory. These policies, she said, include the Education Act, Early Childhood Education Policy, the Special Education Policy; Promotion, Placement and Retention Policy; Graduation Requirements, S.T.E.A.M. Policy, a Curriculum Policy, Professional Standards for Educators and an update to the Discipline Policy and Student Code of Conduct.

The Minister for Education further stated that funding is now available to provide these educational manipulatives and teaching aids for all subject areas. “Whether students are kinesthetic, visual, auditory, social, solitary, verbal or logical learners; our teachers will be equipped with much needed resources to diversify their delivery of instruction to achieve optimal learning,” she said.

The ministry in collaboration with the Institute of Education at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, will also conduct an Effective Leadership Training Initiative for principals that includes face-to-face sessions, field work, coaching from more experienced principals and the preparation of an e-portfolio. This initiative is intended to give new and aspiring principals the necessary support to be the transformational leaders.

The Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs, and Sports supports the development of mental, physical, social and spiritual being of every individual whom the it serves so that they become responsible and productive in an increasingly vibrant and technological Virgin Islands society.