ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, June 12th, 2012 – The Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) now has a modern, well-equipped study space to meet the educational needs of students. The Education Minister described libraries as the “nucleus” of any learning institution at a brief reopening ceremony of the ESHS Library and Resource Centre today, June 12.
He said, “It is our school libraries that all students, learning a wide variety of subjects should go to be introduced to concepts, explore different thoughts and be provided with information to sustain their quest for knowledge. Without functional libraries, our students suffer a grave disadvantage in a world that demands that they know more about everything.”
He added that “the investment in the Library will pay “dividends in a number of ways. Firstly, it immediately allows our young people to have a location for improved access to information through the many books that are presently here and the additional space for more books. I anticipate that the research that is needed to complete schoolwork will now be done in a more comfortable environment, thus helping our students to excel and be better prepared for the next phase of their lives,” the Education Minister said.
He continued, “With our students preparing to enter universities all across the world, it is essential that they grasp the importance of properly utilizing a library so that they can be equally successful at those institutions. That is the importance of this library today”
Highlighting the importance of libraries, the Acting Premier in his remarks said, “Libraries do much more than merely hold the knowledge of the ages within their walls - they are a tangible expression of the people’s right to that knowledge. Libraries throw open their doors and bid one and all, ‘come,’ and ‘learn.’ They are a symbol of democracy at its best and that is why I am so pleased that Minister Walwyn, from his very start as Minister for Education and Culture, made the restoration of this library one of his priorities.”
Congratulatory remarks were delivered by Deputy Governor Mrs. V. Inez Archibald, Acting Premier Dr. the Honourable Kedrick Pickering, Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Mark Vanterpool and ESHS Principal Ms. Melissa Amy.
House of Assembly Members, Honourables Alvera Maduo-Caines, Delores Christopher, Marlon Penn and Archibald Christian were also in attendance.
The project, spearheaded under directive from the Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn, saw the donation of 20 computers and High speed internet from LIME, a corporate telecommunications giant.
Minister Walwyn thanked LIME for its generous contribution and presented Mr. Sean Auguste General Manager of LIME with a plaque to show appreciation.
Past Librarians of the ESHS Library include its founder, Mrs. Jennie Wheatley, Mrs. Valentine Lewis, Mrs. Eugiene Dawson-Glasgow, Mrs. Lucile Malone, Mrs. Alta-Gracia Hodge, and present librarian, Ms Yvonne Mactavious.
As a special treat, Mr. Rey O’Neal presented a copy of the book “Life Notes: Reflections of a British Virgin Islander” authored by his father, the late. J. R. O’Neal to Principal Amy.
The Ministry of Education and Culture continues to chart its course forward to provide opportunities to facilitate the development of young Virgin Islanders as it strives to “Create a Culture of Excellence.”
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