HLSCC received over $1M budget increase
Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Hon Sharie B. de Castro (AL), announced this during the HLSCC Fall Convocation on August 28, 2025, which she said will usher in new infrastructure,...
Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Hon Sharie B. de Castro (AL), announced this during the HLSCC Fall Convocation on August 28, 2025, which she said will usher in new infrastructure, scholarships, and technology that mark a defining moment in the College’s evolution.
The supplementary appropriation of $1,315,000 increased the college’s base budget for 2025 from $9,618,300 to $10,933,300. Last year’s total was $9,918,400. “Every great dream requires clarity of sight, and every clear vision requires investment, courage, and commitment,” Hon de Castro said.
Sweeping enhancement to HLSCC HLSCC is this year celebrating its 35th anniversary under the theme ‘Dream of a Visionary’ and 10 years of accreditation. Part of the funding will go towards the design of dormitories and a new Student Information System. “This financial boost reflects more than numbers…It is an investment in you, our students,” the minister noted.
Other new opportunities include technical scholarships spanning every district, among which are dedicated slots for the Marine Professional Training Programme (MPT) and for the NCCER certification programme in construction. Enhancements are already underway, including the launch of the Robotics Club, the restructuring of the IT curriculum, the redesigning of classroom spaces and the hiring of staff in key areas such as computer science and education.
Also, the average starting salary band for newly hired faculty rose by 35% as of January 2025. More than just increased funding- Dr Georges Meantime, President of the HLSCC, Dr Richard W. Georges, in acknowledging the increased investment, said it is not just about infrastructure and funds. “It’s about lifting HLSCC’s capacity to live up to its highest potential.
With dormitories, scholarships, upgraded systems, and stronger faculty- this is how we sharpen our vision and expand our reach.” This online news site is the sole property of and is operated by Advance Marketing and Professional Services dba Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) in the Virgin Islands.
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