Big plans to develop education, sports and culture laws this year

Developing and strengthening the education, sports, and culture sectors has become a large part of Virgin Islands government’s mandate moving into the 2022 parliamentary year,

Delivering his Speech from the Throne address earlier today, Governor John Rankin said there will be new legislation and legislative amendments in those three sectors.

Education

Governor Rankin said the government is committed to building an educational system that caters to all students regardless of their academic, mental or physical ability. He added that the government will seek adjustments to the Education Act, 2004 and its Amendment Act, 2014 to ensure teaching and learning align with the needs of the students to become proficient in their overall development.

“The adjustments will consider the demand for online learning where schools and classrooms must have in place technology-driven standards. It will also seek to expand and enhance the technical and vocational skills programmes to increase the pool of skilled workers and strengthen entrepreneurial skills of the current and future generations of Virgin Islanders,” Governor Rankin said.

The governor also noted that a discipline policy and revised student code of conduct are important to the Education Act. The policy has been updated to include a positive behavioural framework that emphasizes prevention and student support services. It focuses on values, relationships, and skills building.