BVI will prosper under VIP — deCastro
Education Minister Sharie deCastro has defended the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government’s record, insisting that the territory will continue to prosper under its leadership.
She accused the opposition of failing to follow through on their own calls for debate after a failed no-confidence motion in the House of Assembly, where the Opposition Leader was the only debater. Using a classroom metaphor, deCastro said: “One student comes in passionately demanding a test… and then when the time came to take the test, they didn’t show up. That’s what happened here today.”
She added that she welcomed public scrutiny but insisted it must be based on facts.
“I believe in accountability. I believe that we as the government of the day are to be held accountable. I welcome it… but I believe that it must be rooted in facts, not fiction,” she stated.
DeCastro rejected claims that the education sector was “severely unfunded” under her leadership and that the private sector contributed more than the government. She said the Ministry of Education’s budget for 2025 was the largest in the territory’s history.
“In 2025, this government has allocated $67.4 million to education… $16.9 million more than the average of the NDP administration,” she noted.
She added that a recent supplementary appropriation had increased the total to $68.9 million. The Minister said these funds were part of a phased approach to address long-standing challenges, supported by structural assessments of all public schools and partnerships with groups such as Unite BVI.
While acknowledging challenges with procurement and maintenance, she added: “You can’t get change if you give exact. But if you give more, you get change… We have remained steady, and we have tried to lead, given the resources that are available to us.”
DeCastro praised the legacy of past VIP leaders, including the late H Lavity Stoutt, Ralph T O’Neal, and Andrew Fahie, for their contributions to education, and said Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley was continuing that tradition. “Green is prosperity. Under the Virgin Islands Party government, this country will prosper,” she declared.
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Her much lbs she gain since election?
looks like 50, must be that good life
More praise for Andrew Fahie. The criminal locked up for 12 years.
Poster boy that is the leading light of the VIP as they march towards their goal of Independence for the VI.
It is easy to see what an Independent VI would look like when our leaders look up to criminals with their respect and look to criminals for their guidance.
We won’t just have posters of criminals in the HOUSE of ASSEMBLY.
CRIIMINALS will be the symbols of our INDEPENDENCE
Can somebody tell this child to go to her room and be quiet please. Play with a few robots and go to bed.
What a joke!
This woman…..
She mean her boyfriend allegedly prospered by getting belongers and a passport and money to pay off his credit card. Her other family allegedly get money to repair her car. Her sister is assistant principal of the high school. Of course yes they proposed under the VIP.
If we are more prosperous under the VIP Government, we need to see it on the ground, please. This Territory has not been in such a state under no other Government. Come on. All we are hearing is blah, blah, blah because you all are a bunch of smooth talkers but not a worker bee in sight. Where is the action? Hon. Rymer is an action man because he got up on stilts for the parade. The Premier bragging about visitor arrivals being the highest ever. I would be ashamed to even mention that because these poor people are wondering who the hell is running this place, especially if they are repeat visitors. Get to work. We don’t want to hear a doggone thing. Save us some rent money by opening back up the Complex. It needs demolding from the basement up to the roof and reopen it. Imagine Hon. Stoutt built that building when we were not so prosperous and you young, educated to PHD level some of you can’t even fix it and reopen it. What a set of mouth champions. I guess that is what the majority wanted, but I am hoping that they can see the forest from the trees this upcoming election because four more years of this and we will not be able to find our way out of the abyss.
Fahie? She is praising Fahie????
No wonder she gave covid money to friends and family if she believes Fahie is any good.
They always seem to find and use the most unflattering pictures when posting anything about her….love that for you babe.
Lol I like how politicians putting on weight while their populations suffer.
Y’all see how much a local supermarket priced up conchs for festival season?
Price control where?
The same vip that almost sold the country for a drug deal?
The same vip give away 5 mil to bank of Asia?
The same vip that give out grants to fake fishers and farmers?
The same vip that can’t implement a proper price control?
The same vip that still can’t fix the government complex