Union Island students, teachers to leave temporary facility at Arnos Vale

Twenty-four students and eight teachers from Union Island will vacate their temporary school facility at Arnos Vale- the former SVG Teachers College compound-in what education officials said is a final transition.

A release from the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training, Innovation, Digital Transformation and Information outlined the following as key arrangements and points to note:

• Fifteen students will revert to their original schools on Union Island: Mary Hutchinson Primary School and Stephanie Browne Primary School

• Nine students whose parents continue to live on St. Vincent will be placed in suitable institutions here

• The eight staff members will be assigned accordingly to support these placements and ensure instructional continuity

• Parents and guardians of students planning to attend schools on St. Vincent are reminded to visit the Ministry of Education’s main building at Arnos Vale as soon as possible to complete the transfer process of their child/children. This will allow for a smooth transition regarding enrollment, orientation, and preparation for the new term ahead.

“Our focus is on providing the best service to our students and their parents taking into consideration their total well-being and the academic progress of every child,” Minister of Education, Phillip Jackson, is quoted in the release as stating.

Minister Jackson is also encouraging all parents to act promptly to secure each child’s placement and allow other agencies of the State time to assist the children with preparations for the new term.

“The ultimate commitment of the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines is to make sure all families are reunited with each other in their original spaces as they continue the efforts to rebuild their lives and their communities,” he affirmed.

In the immediate aftermath of the passage of Hurricane Beryl on July 1,2024, the Ministry of Education established a temporary schooling facility at Arnos Vale to serve displaced students from Union Island.

The ministry said that at the start of the 2024-2025 academic year, 171 students attended this facility. By the end of that year, ongoing recovery efforts had reduced this number to 126, with further gradual returns to Union Island bringing the current figure to 24 students with eight staff members.

The second term in the current academic year begins on Monday, January 6, 2026.