Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Hon. Sharie de Castro, is set to attend the 9th Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Council of Ministers of Education meetings in St. Kitts, from Tuesday, September 10 to Saturday, September 14.

During her absence, Honourable Luce Hodge Smith, Junior Minister of Culture and Tourism, will serve as the acting Minister for Education, Youth Affairs, and Sports. Her appointment, which runs from September 10 to September 14, is in line with Section 52 (2) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007. This provision allows the Governor, acting on the advice of the Premier, to appoint Ministers from among the elected members of the House of Assembly.

Minister de Castro is scheduled to return to the Virgin Islands on September 14.

Thirty-six individuals have been formally registered as British citizens, having previously been naturalized as British Overseas Territories Citizens. The official ceremony took place at Government House, where the new citizens recited the Oath of Allegiance to His Majesty the King and the Pledge of Loyalty to the United Kingdom.

His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Daniel Pruce, and the Registrar General, Mrs. Tashi O’Flaherty-Maduro, addressed the new citizens during the ceremony. Governor Pruce remarked, “Today you have taken a significant step. Along with receiving your certificates of citizenship, you have just taken the Oath of Allegiance to His Majesty the King and the Pledge of Loyalty to the United Kingdom. The oath and the pledge are not just words; they are a formal promise that you have made as you embrace your new nationality.”

Governor Pruce emphasised the strong ties between the Virgin Islands and the United Kingdom, noting, “As an Overseas Territory and part of the realm of His Majesty, the Virgin Islands has precious links with the United Kingdom. The success that both the Virgin Islands and the United Kingdom enjoy in the global economy is founded upon many shared factors, including our common law legal systems and our respect for the rule of law. But our connections go much further than that—throughout history, through our people, and through our culture.”

Registrar General Mrs. O’Flaherty-Maduro highlighted the importance of British citizenship, stating, “Being a British citizen means being part of a nation with a rich history, a diverse culture, and a strong set of values. The United Kingdom is a country that values democracy, freedom, and respect for all people, regardless of their background. As new citizens, you now have the responsibility of upholding these values and contributing to the ongoing legacy of this great nation.”

She continued, “I encourage you to take pride in your new status, but also to remember that citizenship is more than just the rights it confers; it is about responsibilities. It is about participating in your community, standing up for what is right, and helping to make the United Kingdom a better place for everyone.”

Under the British Nationality Act, individuals naturalized as British Overseas Territory Citizens after May 21, 2002, are eligible to apply for registration as British citizens.

The new British citizens include:
Carol Betty-Ann Calliste Alexander
Marie Popo Andrew
Oneal Bevon John Bakker
Gershon Malachi Bowens
Greisy Desairis Ortiz Claxton
Collis Marjorie Denton
Laura Agnes Dore
Nigel Urban Felix
Verneilia Vania Fontaine
Eva Lynn Smart-George
Camiane St Albourne Grange
Diana Bernadette Gregg
Andrea Dianne Corbin-Hodge
Steadroy Anthony Holder
Doian Dwight Kettle
Mya-Ashlee Ikeidra Locker
Kertson Marquis
Gardia Myrtle McDowell McDonald
Kimone Kaynell Mills
Sherry Amanda Moses
Phoebe Dawn Sharon Murrell
Frank Soobreyan Nagapen
Jahmal Anthony Osborne
Christianne Robalinho Senra Pecanha
Veronica Dawkins-Perry
Reanell Antoinette Jones-Phipps
Ruth Elisha Quincy Phillip
Donsiya Kimisha Tishorn Mercury-Pickering
Ephriam Livinston Jr Pollack
Carly Angelique Ramchandran
Jeneline Elizabeth Richardson
Simon Robin
Junior Kadafi Samuel
Jacqueline Fiona Scott-Simmons
Himwant Seenarine
Alphonso Ricardo Warner

The Minister for Health and Social Development of the Virgin Islands, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley, will attend the 9th Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Council of Ministers: Human and Social Development, as well as the inaugural meeting of the Joint Council of Ministers: Health, Human & Social Development and Education in St. Kitts and Nevis.

Accompanied by Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Miss Tasha Bertie, Hon. Wheatley will join regional counterparts for discussions centred on regional development and sustainability, under the theme “Regional Development and Sustainability through Quality Education and Social Empowerment.” The meetings will be held from September 10–11.

Hon. Wheatley will also participate in high-level discussions and has been invited to co-chair the Joint Meeting of Human and Social Development and Education Ministers, in his capacity as Chair of the 9th OECS Council of Ministers: Health.

Commenting on the significance of the meetings, Hon. Wheatley highlighted the importance of the three interconnected sectors—education, social development, and health—as key pillars for national progress. “In the Caribbean, especially the OECS region, the synergy between ministries and sectors is not just important; it’s essential for sustainable growth. Each sector, whether focused on health, education, or social development, is critical in our society,” he stated.

Hon. Wheatley stressed that collaboration between these sectors can lead to meaningful progress, saying, “When they work together, we can harness their collective strength, bridging gaps and building a foundation for resilience. Through these types of collaboration, we can effectively address the complex challenges our region faces and ensure a brighter and more sustainable future for our people.”

The 9th OECS Council of Ministers: Human and Social Development aims to share innovative ideas on social empowerment through peer engagement, boosting development on both national and regional levels. The council will review the Social Inclusion and Social Protection Action Plan (2023–2030) and align strategies for social development, with a focus on increasing support for adaptive social protection measures.

Meanwhile, the Joint Council of Ministers: Health, Human & Social Development and Education will explore aligning strategies across these sectors, in line with the OECS Education Strategy and the “Fort-de-France Declaration on Health.” The joint meeting will address regional challenges, promoting collaboration between ministries to create policies for sustainable development and harmonising systems to improve access to education, social, and health services.

In Hon. Wheatley’s absence from the Virgin Islands, Honourable Dr. Karl Dawson will serve as Minister for Health and Social Development. The Ministry of Health and Social Development remains steadfast in its mission to enhance the health and social well-being of the people of the Virgin Islands through forward-thinking policies and strategic regional collaboration.