The ongoing effort to fortify schools in the Virgin Islands against the unpredictable impacts of disasters and climate change takes a significant leap forward under the BVI SMART Schools initiative. A collaborative endeavor between the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports (MEYAS), the Department of Disaster Management (DDM), and supported by the Resilience, Sustainable Energy, and Marine Biodiversity (RESEMBID) Programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by Expertise France.

The latest phase of the BVI SMART Schools project, led by DDM, expands its scope by incorporating expertise from Green VI, H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, and the BVI Red Cross. Together, they aim to reshape the Territory’s education infrastructure, placing resilience at its core.

Jasen Penn, Director at the Department of Disaster Management, emphasized how the BVI SMART Schools initiative reinforces schools against the challenges posed by climate change. He stated, “RESEMBID’s financial support has facilitated a partnership to enhance our efforts at improving student safety and fostering a culture of resilience.”

The €1.3 million initiative spans two years and seeks to enhance the safety, health, and sustainability of 14 schools across the Territory. The project has conducted comprehensive school assessments, offered essential guidance to individual schools, and initiated campus community emergency response training to strengthen preparedness within these educational institutions.

Mr. Penn highlighted the broader impact of the initiative, saying, “What our students and teachers are learning prepares our wider community for greater resilience, which ultimately means a more prepared Virgin Islands.”

Edward Turvill, RESEMBID Senior Programme Manager – Resilience, commended the focus on schools and students as a foundation for change. He praised the comprehensive approach taken by DDM and its partners, emphasizing the significance of the public-private partnership to address resilience and climate change challenges.

Turvill stated, “It shows that through this type of public-private partnership, BVI has the persons and tools to address some of the most challenging issues surrounding resilience and climate change. RESEMBID is truly proud to have the chance to facilitate such partnerships that are to the benefit of society and future generations.”

The BVI SMART Schools initiative’s program partners are actively enhancing its legacy by supporting target schools in key areas. Green VI leads efforts to establish vibrant school gardens, conduct water and energy audits, and cultivate a culture of conservation within school campuses. BVI Red Cross focuses on empowering educators and enhancing overall community resilience through First Aid training for teachers and community assessments. The H. Lavity Stoutt Community College’s Centre for Applied Marine Studies enriches student experiences through coastal resilience and marine biodiversity education.

Participating schools in this iteration include Claudia Creque Educational Centre, Alexandria Maduro Primary, Joyce Samuel Primary, Bregado Flax Educational Centre Primary and Secondary Division, Francis Lettsome Primary, Leonora Delville Primary, Ivan Dawson Primary, Ebenezer Thomas Primary, Enis Adams Primary, Enid Scatliffe Pre-Primary, Willard Wheatley Primary, Robinson O’Neal Memorial Primary, and Elmore Stoutt High School.