A Virgin Islands delegation recently visited the Cayman Islands to talk education.
Led by Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Sharie de Castro, the April 1-4 visit included high-level discussions, site visits and exchanges designed to foster regional collaboration and advance education systems in both territories, according to government.
“We participated in strategic meetings with senior officials from the Cayman Islands Ministry of Education, Department of Education Services, and curriculum and learning teams and conducted school visits to observe best practices in early childhood education, inclusive education and technical and vocational training,” Ms. de Castro said of the delegation’s visit to the sister territory.
She added that the policy discussions also touched on curriculum design, teacher licensing, infrastructure management and recruitment strategies, among other areas.
During the visit, the VI delegates identified areas for future collaboration, including mutual exchanges in early childhood education, technical and vocational education, and special education, according to government.
They also discussed potential collaborations with the University College of the Cayman Islands and reviewed apprenticeship and workforce readiness initiatives at Cayman’s Public Works Construction Trades Training Centre.
Ultimately, officials said, the visit paved the way for exploring technical assistance partnerships and cross-territory training opportunities.
The delegation
Besides the minister, the VI team included senior ministry officials with expertise in school leadership, early childhood care and education, special education, technical and vocational education, and curriculum development.
For its next steps, the ministry will continue internal consultations aimed at adapting best practices observed during the visit and formalising areas of collaboration, according to government.
British Caribbean News