Gov’t now doing instead of talking, deCastro says

Education Minister Sharie de Castro

Government has moved beyond rhetoric and is now delivering tangible results across education, youth development and sport, according to Education Minister Sharie deCastro, who outlined major investments and outcomes during her contribution to the 2026 budget debate in the House of Assembly.

Addressing the chamber, deCastro said the scale and consistency of public spending showed a clear shift from discussion to execution. “This government is no longer talking, we are doing,” she stated, as she detailed expanded funding, completed projects and programmes now underway.

The Minister rejected claims that education was being carried by the private sector, stressing that the government remained the single largest investor in education, youth and sports development. Every teacher hired, classroom repaired, and programme delivered was primarily funded through public resources, she said, adding that private partnerships were welcomed but worked best when government-led.

DeCastro placed the current spending in context, noting that average annual education budgets before the hurricanes hovered around $50 million. Under the present administration, allocations rose to about $57 million in 2024, $67.4 million in 2025 and $77 million in the 2026 estimates — a $20 million increase over two budget cycles. “This is not a spike. It is a shift,” she told lawmakers.

She highlighted extensive rehabilitation works across public schools, including roofing, plumbing, electrical upgrades, air conditioning, security and recreational spaces. Among the flagship achievements was the completion of the Eslyn Henley-Richez Learning Centre, described as the first purpose-built special education school in the OECS region. The facility, she said, represented inclusion and dignity for students with diverse needs.

Beyond infrastructure, deCastro pointed to increased spending on classroom resources, professional development and digital systems, alongside new school buses to support student transport. She also cited the introduction of structured pathways for teacher training and leadership development as evidence of sustained investment in people rather than short-term fixes.

On youth affairs and sport, she said funding had risen by more than 300 percent since 2022, allowing for expanded after-school programmes, support for at-risk youth, and structured assistance for athletes and creatives. The approach, she said, was preventative and focused on long-term community stability.

DeCastro said while challenges remained, the budget reflected deliberate choices backed by funding.