BVI education officials visit Cayman to observe best practices

Virgin Islands delegates interact with education stakeholders in the Cayman Islands. (GIS photo)

Education officials from the British Virgin Islands recently travelled to the Cayman Islands for an educational exchange aimed at identifying best practices to enhance the BVI’s education system.

The delegation, led by Education Minister Sharie de Castro, conducted on-site visits to several schools in the Cayman Islands, where they observed innovative learning environments, school maintenance systems, and inclusive education practices in action.

Minister de Castro said the visit included a series of high-level discussions with key education stakeholders.

“We participated in strategic meetings with senior officials from the Cayman Islands Ministry of Education, Department of Education Services, and Curriculum and Learning teams,” she said. “We conducted school visits to observe best practices in early childhood education, inclusive education, and technical and vocational training, and engaged in policy discussions on curriculum design, teacher licensing, infrastructure management, and recruitment strategies.”

The discussions identified several key areas for future collaboration, including mutual exchanges in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and Special Education, de Castro stated.

The visit also laid the groundwork for potential technical assistance partnerships and cross-territory training opportunities.

According to the Ministry of Education, the delegation explored further collaboration with the University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI) and examined apprenticeship and workforce readiness initiatives at the Public Works Construction Trades Training Centre.

“As part of the next steps, the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports will continue internal consultations aimed at adapting best practices observed during the visit and follow up on formalising areas of collaboration,” the Ministry said.

The visit took place from April 1 to 4.