Local News
Virgin Islands Boosts School Resilience Against Climate Change Through BVI SMART Schools Initiative
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.
Soaring electricity bills, rising fuel prices and increasing import costs are placing growing pressure on households and businesses across the British Virgin Islands, prompting Claude Skelton Cline to warn during his Honestly Speaking radio program on May 19 that the territory should prepare for more difficult economic conditions and consider whether emergency measures may be needed to ease the burden.
Speaking on ZBVI Radio, Skelton Cline said the territory was entering a period of prolonged financial strain and urged residents, businesses and government officials to plan accordingly.
“The most dangerous position to be in right now is to be unprepared,” Skelton Cline said. “This thing is only going to intensify.”
Skelton Cline said higher utility costs were affecting nearly every sector of the economy, from households struggling to pay monthly bills to businesses facing decisions about staffing and operating expenses.
“These monthly utility bills are so exorbitant,” he said. “There is a domino effect of whether you can keep the same amount of staff.”
He questioned whether the government should consider using reserve funds and other measures to help stabilize fuel prices and provide relief to consumers.
“At what point does any of that trigger that creates a national state of emergency in this country?” Skelton Cline asked.
Skelton Cline noted that the territory has reserve funds and argued that policymakers should examine whether some of those resources could be used to reduce the impact of rising costs.
“There’s no reason why we should not be locking in fuel prices,” he said.
In addition to government action, Skelton Cline encouraged residents to take practical steps to reduce household expenses, including limiting electricity use and unplugging appliances when not in use.
“There are some things that are beyond our control, but there are some things that are within our control,” he said. “We must control those things.”
Skelton Cline said the British Virgin Islands had navigated difficult economic periods before and urged residents not to lose confidence.
“We cannot surrender to our frustration,” he said. “We cannot surrender to our cynicism and our skepticism.”
His comments come as consumers and business owners continue to face higher costs for electricity, fuel and imported goods, increasing concerns about the broader impact on employment, household budgets and the territory’s economy.
The Virgin Islands Icon Awards has announced 64 nominees across 13 categories for its 2026 ceremony, recognizing individuals and organizations for contributions in fields including sports, entrepreneurship, media, music, agriculture and public service, founder and executive producer Kareem Nelson Hull said.
The Virgin Islands Icon Awards was established to recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the social, cultural and economic development of the Territory.
The Ministry of Health and Social Development is monitoring an outbreak of hantavirus linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius that has resulted in several confirmed cases and three deaths, but Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley, Minister for Health and Social Development, and Dr. Ronald Georges, Chief Medical Officer, said Monday that the risk to the Virgin Islands remains low.
The ministry said the reported cases involve passengers and crew aboard the Dutch expedition vessel, which was operating outside the Caribbean region. Health officials said there is no evidence of any cases in the Virgin Islands or elsewhere in the Caribbean.
Honourable Wheatley said the ministry is working with regional and international partners, including the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), to monitor the situation and strengthen surveillance systems.
“At this time, the risk to the Caribbean, including the Virgin Islands, is considered low,” Dr. Georges said. “We are utilizing enhanced surveillance systems and maintaining routine port health inspections and preparedness protocols to ensure the continued protection of public health.”
Hantavirus is a rare but potentially serious disease that is primarily transmitted through contact with infected rodents or their droppings, urine or saliva. Human-to-human transmission is extremely uncommon.
The ministry said the rodent species typically associated with the virus are not commonly found in Caribbean environments, further reducing the likelihood of local transmission.
Residents are advised to avoid contact with rodents and areas where they may be present, safely clean and disinfect areas contaminated by rodent waste, maintain proper sanitation and waste disposal, and seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as fever or respiratory distress.
Early symptoms of hantavirus can resemble the flu but may progress to more serious respiratory complications if not treated promptly.
“We will continue to work closely with regional and international partners to ensure that any potential risks are identified early and managed effectively,” Dr. Georges said. “Protecting the health and safety of our residents remains our top priority.”
The Ministry of Health and Social Development said it will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.
Rising Costs Will Intensify, Skelton Cline Warns as He Suggests Emergency Measures
Coronavirus disease 2019
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