The Premier made the statement on Thursday, December 2, 2021, during a contract signing at Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) for the redevelopment of the campus.

“Can I tell you how proud I feel [as] a former teacher, a former assistant principal, and a former Minister of Education – and now as Premier, when I see our Virgin Islands people leading our organisations and institutions, and leading our development?” Hon Fahie stated.

Hon Fahie continued, “I am beaming with joy. I firmly believe that the people of the Virgin Islands [have] all that it takes to make sure that we move to another level as a people. We just have to do one thing: continue to prepare and stay united.”

Premier Fahie reminded of the vision of the first Chief Minister, H. Lavity Stoutt, in pointing out that education is the key to the development of the VI.

First Chief Minister used education as Key - Hon Fahie

Premier Fahie reminded of the vision of the first Chief Minister, H. Lavity Stoutt, in pointing out that education is the key to the development of the VI.

“It is why he defied the powers of the day to establish the Community College that bears his name. My team in the Government and I see our sacred duty as carrying forward that mantle.”

Premier Fahie said that while the younger generation may forget or never know the contribution that H. Lavity Stoutt made to education, he said when he was Minister of Education he recognised the importance and ensured that the VI utilised scholarships and grants to educate and train local people so that they could take on the leadership roles in the development of the territory.

“And I am proud to see that when we took office in March 2019 and we issued the call for them to serve their Virgin Islands in their respective fields, many answered the call.”

The Premier said, “As I always tell the people of the Virgin Islands, the future belongs to the prepared. So if you want to take on the future and be successful, you have to prepare.”

He said following H. L. Stoutt’s vision, of what was done in the past was to prepare the VI people for the present and the future and this will be continued to secure the future of the Virgin Islands and her people.