Implementation of V.I. and Caribbean History into Curriculum Faces New Delay as Commissioner Calls for Revisit of Legislation

Education commissioner tells senators that the legislation may need to be revisited because additional personnel are required to meet the standalone class mandate for K through Eight, highlighting significant staffing and resource challenges

“Honestly, I think that we may need to revisit some parts of the legislation.” That was the admission from Education Commissioner Dionne Wells-Hedrington when lawmakers pressed the department on the next course of action following a recent ruling by the Superior Court on the instruction of Virgin Islands and Caribbean History (VICH) in public schools.‌

Decades after Act 4844 was enacted in 1983, the Superior Court found that the V.I. Department of Education was not in compliance with the law’s mandate to teach VICH territory-wide. While many Virgin Islanders were hoping that education officials would move quickly to follow the ruling, Ms. Wells-Hedrington’s comment may be yet another stumbling block in the road to educate young Virgin Islanders about their history.

As Ms. Wells-Hedrington shared during last week’s appearance before the Senate Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance, the department's reservations stem from the requirement “for there to be a standalone class for K through Eight, which requires additional personnel.” It is no secret that the department struggles to maintain adequate staffing levels to deliver current instructional programming – a struggle with no immediate resolution in sight. Indeed, by September 2024, over 120 individuals in the Department of Education will qualify for retirement.‌