de Castro hails public-private partnership at JVD school opening

Education Minister Sharie de Castro has hailed the significance of public-private partnerships in the completion of the Jost Van Dyke (JVD) Primary School.

The brand-new $4.5 million multipurpose facility was officially opened yesterday, January 18, in a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) led the project but the project faced several unexpected setbacks during its construction.

The Soggy Dollar Foundation and Unite BVI contributed some $350,000 to the project. Officials said that money was earmarked specifically for furniture for the principal, faculty and students, smart boards for each classroom, eight laptops, and playground equipment.

There was also another anonymous donor who is a member of the board of the RDA who donated monthly remuneration to the JVD primary school.

“We could not have done it outside of public-private partnership and so let me echo the thanks to the Soggy Dollar Foundation, Unite BVI for just being stewards and truly exemplifying what it means to be businesses that truly understand how important education is,” de Castro said during her remarks at the school’s opening yesterday.

de Castro said the school’s completion was eagerly awaited and described it as a symbolic achievement. She added that the school’s opening marks a significant stride in the government’s commitment to providing quality education in the territory.

She added: “It really speaks to the government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that every single child in the Virgin Islands has access to a high-quality education regardless of their geographical location.”

The Education Minister also noted that residents of Jost Van Dyke will soon have the opportunity to access higher education, specialised training, and certification through a satellite campus of the H Lavity Stoutt Community College at the facility.

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