Education Ministry defends playground rejection with FAQs

The Education Ministry stood firmly in defence of a decision to reject and remove donated playground equipment delivered to the Ivan Dawson Primary School in Cane Garden Bay, stating that established safety and compliance procedures were not followed.

In a social media post, the Ministry outlined what it described as clear guidelines governing playground donations and installations across the territory. The post was issued under the heading, “WHY THE PLAYGROUND DONATION PROCESS IS AS IMPORTANT AS THE PLAY.” The post followed an earlier statement from Education Minister Sharie deCastro regarding the dispute over the playground donation.

The Ministry stated that it standardises playgrounds across public schools “so they can be properly maintained and repaired for years to come.” It added that installations are typically scheduled during school breaks “to keep construction away from students and staff.”

According to the Ministry, “Every piece of equipment must be inspected before being placed on a campus. Materials recalled for safety concerns cannot be approved or accepted at any time.” Officials also stressed that following the Donations Policy ensures “transparent donor disclosure, proper asset tracking, and a clear record of every donation.”

Addressing concerns about timing, the ministry said it prioritises a “Zero Risk” environment for children. “By scheduling installations during Easter or Summer breaks, we ensure that students are not playing near a construction site and that the equipment is fully inspected and certified safe by specialists before the first child ever touches it,” the Ministry stated.

The post also sought to clarify what is meant by “standardised playgrounds.” The Ministry explained that its territory-wide programme intentionally uses a specific brand and type of equipment suited to the Virgin Islands’ climate “to ensure maximum durability and high quality.” This standardisation, it added, allows spare parts to be interchangeable across schools, ensuring faster repairs and “a significantly longer lifespan for every playground.”

Regarding the Ivan Dawson equipment, the Ministry said it has “successfully accepted seven donor-funded playgrounds in the last three years” and welcomes donations that follow established guidelines. However, it stated that the equipment in question “was delivered without notice, without safety checks, and left exposed to the elements in an active student area.” The Ministry further noted that “Unauthorised items on a campus are a physical hazard and a major liability.”

The matter drew attention after officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force were called to the school compound, where a container holding the new playground equipment was offloaded, and instructions were issued to remove it. A later debate erupted over the Ministry’s handling of the donation.

The Ministry’s post added that the donation process is designed to ensure that “every contribution is legal, honest, transparent, and accountable,” and that the procedure is “simple and collaborative,” requiring donors to submit a letter of intent along with standard compliance documents.