Government Now Doing, deCastro Says
Education Minister Sharie deCastro told the House of Assembly during the 2026 budget debate that the government has shifted from discussion to delivery, highlighting increased public spending across education, youth and sport. She pointed to rising budgets, completed school rehabilitation works and the new Eslyn Henley-Richez Learning Centre as evidence of sustained government-led investment.
Education Minister Sharie deCastro told the House of Assembly during the 2026 budget debate that the territory has moved beyond rhetoric to concrete action, citing major increases in education, youth and sports spending and a string of completed and ongoing projects. "This government is no longer talking, we are doing," deCastro told lawmakers as she laid out the government's investment record and priorities for the coming year.
DeCastro rejected suggestions that the private sector was carrying education, saying government remains the single largest investor in the sector. She stressed that every teacher hired, classroom repaired and programme delivered was primarily funded through public resources, and that private partnerships are welcome only when government leads and funds the work.
To illustrate the shift, the minister placed current spending in context. Average annual education budgets before the hurricanes were around $50 million. Under the present administration allocations rose to about $57 million in 2024, $67.4 million in 2025 and are estimated at $77 million for 2026 — a roughly $20 million increase over two budget cycles. "This is not a spike.
DeCastro detailed infrastructure rehabilitation across public schools, including roofing, plumbing, electrical upgrades, air conditioning, improved security and recreational spaces. A flagship achievement she highlighted was the completion of the Eslyn Henley-Richez Learning Centre, described as the first purpose-built special education school in the OECS region — a facility she said represents inclusion and dignity for students with diverse needs.
Beyond buildings, the minister pointed to increased spending on classroom resources, professional development, digital systems and the introduction of new school buses to support student transport. She also noted structured pathways for teacher training and leadership development to ensure investment in people, not short-term fixes.
DeCastro said funding for youth affairs and sport has risen by more than 300 percent since 2022, enabling expanded after-school programmes, support for at-risk youth and structured assistance for athletes and creatives. She described the approach as preventative and focused on long-term community stability.
While acknowledging challenges remain, deCastro said the 2026 budget reflects deliberate policy choices backed by funding that will deliver sustained benefits for BVI students, families and communities.
Primary source: BVI News