Primary schools receive funding from trust companies

Roadtown, Tortola - Two primary schools in the Territory have been adopted by local trust companies and have received financial assistance to assist in moving them from “good to great”.

In a handing over ceremony in the “Breezeway” of the Central Administration Complex last Wednesday, principal of the Willard Wheatley Primary School Mrs. Enid Penn-Charles accepted cheques for $3,000 and $7,500 from Zolfo Cooper and Mossack Fonseca & Co. (BVI) Ltd respectively, while Walkers (BVI) Ltd presented Mrs. Sylvia Adams, principal of the Isabella Morris Primary, with a cheque for $5,000. 

Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Andrew Fahie said this adoption ceremony signals hope for the schools. He said it is part of the Adopt-A-School initiative implemented to provide a quality education system for the youth of this Territory. 

“As a government, we do our part with providing funding and resources, but we still need the help of the community to assist us in varied ways to meet the increasing demands of the ever changing educational industry,” Hon. Fahie said. “We want to extend this initiative to as many schools as possible.”

According to the minister, turning to businesses and other organisations for assistance will help improve academic performance because educators are able to develop initiatives and improve the quality of existing programmes to bring the education system on par with the rest of the world. 

He said the Adopt-A-School programme provides a link between schools and their donors, in that, organisations will have a better understanding of the educational system while identifying future workforce needs and employee opportunities. 

It is also a way to enhance the community’s perception of businesses as an active participant in the development and enhancement of education.   

Hon. Fahie said the Government will not dictate how funds are to be spent, but will request financial documents to ensure accountability and transparency. 

Chairperson and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Culture Mrs. Sheila Brathwaite said the initiative is important because children can learn to appreciate and care for gifts, and even be involved in the activities of their adopted company.

Principals Adams and Penn-Charles expressed thanks to their respective sponsors and echoed each other by saying their schools are eager to use the funds to improve the learning materials made available for students and the physical infrastructure of the schools. “Businesses will also find a level of satisfaction of being involved with students and the school staff,” they said. 

 Speaking on behalf of Mossack Fonseca & Co, Mrs. Rosemarie Flax said her organisation is delighted to sponsor the Willard Wheatley Primary School and has committed a portion of its annual budget toward the development of the institution for many years to come.  

Mr. Nigel Massicot, representing Zolfo Cooper and Ms. Charlayne Herbert speaking on behalf of Walkers (BVI) Ltd. said they are looking forward to a close working relationship with school authorities as investments like these help the students to grow thereby benefiting the entire community and in turn their businesses. 

The Adopt-A-School Programme was launched in October, 2006. Businesses and organisations that have already adopted a school include Appleby Corporate Services (BVI) Ltd., Nagico Insurance, New Life Baptist Church and Infinite Solutions, Trident Trust Company (BVI) Ltd, Rotary Club of Tortola, Maples and Calder, Coverdale Trust Services Ltd., Ogier, AMS Group, Equity Trust (BVI), Harney Westwood and Reigels and Rathbone Trust Co (BVI) Ltd.  Enis Adams, Ebenezer Thomas and Enid Scatliffe Pre-Primary schools have also been adopted by businesses.