De Castro Leads Week-Long School Tour
Education Minister Sharie B. de Castro, accompanied by Chief Education Officer Orlandette R. Crabbe and Deputy Chief Education Officer Heida Selwood, has launched the Ministry of Education’s annual week-long school tour to engage students and teachers and bolster literacy efforts. The visits, which include stops on Tortola and Anegada, coincide with Reading is Fun Week under the theme “The Child Who Reads Leads.”
Education Minister Honourable Sharie B. de Castro (AL), together with Chief Education Officer Mrs Orlandette R. Crabbe and Deputy Chief Education Officer Mrs Heida Selwood, has begun the Ministry of Education’s annual week-long school tour aimed at strengthening ties between the Ministry and frontline educators across the British Virgin Islands.
During the visits the minister and senior education officials take part in classroom activities across a range of grade levels, listen to school leaders about ongoing initiatives and challenges, and present donations of books to support each school’s literacy programmes. The donated collections prioritise works by local authors to inspire students and celebrate BVI voices in literature.
The tour commenced on Monday, October 6, 2025, at Willard Wheatley Primary School where Hon de Castro met staff, engaged with pupils and read to classes, creating a lively atmosphere that highlighted the value of reading for enjoyment as well as learning. The delegation concluded the first day with a visit to the Claudia Creque Educational Centre on Anegada, underscoring the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring remote and outer-island schools are included in system-wide support and recognition.
On Tuesday, October 7, 2025, the team continued on Tortola with a stop at Ebenezer Thomas Primary School where Minister de Castro and the Ministry’s senior officers participated in classroom discussions and assessed areas for continued support. The day ended with a visit to Enis Adams Primary School, where the group met with teachers and the principal to discuss the school’s achievements and plans for future development.
The tour aligns with this year’s Reading is Fun Week, observed by the Ministry under the theme “The Child Who Reads Leads.” The initiative aims to promote literacy as a foundation for lifelong learning and leadership among young people in the Territory. By donating locally authored books and engaging directly with students and teachers, the Ministry emphasizes both literacy and cultural relevance in the curriculum.
The Education Ministry says the week-long tour is part of its ongoing effort to remain connected to schools, better understand classroom needs and celebrate the work of educators. Parents, caregivers and community organisations are encouraged to support Reading is Fun Week by promoting reading at home and participating in local literacy activities.
Primary source: VINO