The National Competitiveness And Productivity Council - St. Lucia

School Leaders Equipped with New Skills to Improve Safety and Management of Education Infrastructure

Castries, Saint Lucia, June 17, 2026 – School principals and vice-principals across Saint Lucia are being empowered with new tools to better manage school facilities, improve safety, and secure funding for critical infrastructure projects. The initiative forms part of the Government of Saint Lucia's ongoing efforts to strengthen public asset management and create safer learning environments for students, teachers, and staff.

Nearly fifty education stakeholders recently participated in a two-day Capacity Building Workshop on the Public Asset Management Framework for Education Infrastructure held at the Orchid Centre in Union. The workshop brought together principals, vice-principals, education officers, and school safety personnel representing all eight educational districts across the island.

The training was organized by the Ministry of Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology and Vocational Training in collaboration with the National Integrated Planning and Programme Unit (NIPP) within the Department of Finance, with support from UNICEF.

Civil Engineer with NIPP, Fabian Felix, explained that the workshop was designed to strengthen the capacity of school leaders to effectively manage educational infrastructure while promoting a culture of safety, preventative maintenance, and evidence-based decision-making.

“While a school is often referred to by a name, that school may have about five or six buildings that are individual assets of that school. According to our asset management policy, an asset should be properly managed and have a useful life of over a year,” Felix explained.

He noted that schools represent significant public investments and that principals play a critical role in identifying maintenance issues before they escalate into costly repairs or safety hazards.

“Having school principals on compound, there's absolutely nothing wrong with giving them the basic knowledge to look out for defects that they can call on the relevant professionals to address, such as stress cracks, failure in foundations, leaks, electrical failures. We have a lot of issues with the building envelope, doors, windows, and of course, the prevailing issue of mold in our facilities,” he added.

The workshop also addressed concerns frequently raised by school administrators regarding the prioritization and funding of maintenance and improvement projects. Participants were introduced to practical tools and processes that can assist schools in documenting infrastructure needs and aligning them with government budgeting and planning mechanisms.

School Safety Officer Major Sean Wells emphasized the importance of empowering school leaders to take an active role in maintaining safe learning environments.

“For us, it is important that they understand and that they participate in this. They will be taking the knowledge gained here back to the schools and district school safety teams, where they can educate their peers and colleagues,” Wells stated.

The training forms part of the Government's broader efforts to modernize infrastructure management through the implementation of the Public Asset Management Policy and the Public Finance Management Act Asset Management Regulations. Key areas of focus included digital asset management, infrastructure condition assessments, lifecycle planning, disaster resilience, and preventative maintenance strategies.

For many participants, the workshop provided practical knowledge that can be immediately applied within their schools.

Principal of the Piaye Combined School, Eugenie Paul-Mooney, described the training as both timely and transformative.

“I think that this session is very valuable, and I don't want it just for me or for the few participants here, but for all of our principals at all of our schools. The knowledge that you gain here helps you when you have to look at school safety and your school plant because you need to ensure that your students, staff, and everyone who attends your school is safe as well,” she said.

Paul-Mooney noted that the information gained during the workshop has already given her a new perspective on ongoing construction works at her school and highlighted the importance of ensuring that infrastructure projects are designed and implemented with safety at the forefront.

The workshop represents another step in strengthening Saint Lucia's education infrastructure and building institutional capacity to safeguard public assets. By equipping school leaders with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively monitor and manage facilities, the Government is fostering safer, more resilient, and more sustainable learning environments for current and future generations.

Saint Lucian Jameel Leonce Becomes the World's Youngest Sea TREK Training Coordinator

Castries, Saint Lucia, June 15, 2026 – Saint Lucia is celebrating a remarkable achievement in the marine tourism sector as 20-year-old Jameel Leonce of Sea Life Paradise at Pigeon Island has earned international recognition as the world's youngest certified Sea TREK Training Coordinator.

The milestone highlights not only Jameel's dedication and expertise but also the growing opportunities available to young Saint Lucians within the blue economy and marine tourism industries.

Sea TREK is one of the world's leading underwater helmet-diving programs, allowing participants including non-swimmers and non-divers to explore the underwater world by walking along the seabed while breathing normally through a specially designed helmet system. The program operates in destinations around the globe and adheres to rigorous international safety, operational, and training standards.

Jameel achieved the certification following a comprehensive assessment conducted by internationally recognized Sea TREK Coordinator Carl Hansen during his annual operational review of the Saint Lucia franchise.

Speaking during the certification exercise, Hansen praised the young Saint Lucian's accomplishment.

"This week, we worked on training with the team and we actually brought in something new. We now have the world's youngest training coordinator right here at Sea Life Paradise," Hansen said.

As a certified Sea TREK Training Coordinator, Jameel is now qualified to assist with the training, evaluation, and development of future Sea TREK guides while helping to uphold the operational excellence and safety standards required by the international franchise.

Reflecting on his achievement, Jameel credited years of dedication and continuous learning in the marine tourism field.

"Over the past couple of days, we've been doing some training, and he noticed that I had the skill set to be a coordinator. Through passing all my training requirements, I'm now the youngest training coordinator in the world," he said.

According to his father, Anthony Leonce, owner of Sea Life Paradise, Jameel's journey began at an early age.

"He started diving at just four years old and has steadily progressed through the ranks," Anthony explained.

Now a Divemaster and certified Sea TREK Training Coordinator, Jameel continues to pursue additional scuba and marine recreation certifications as he advances his professional development.

Anthony Leonce believes the accomplishment demonstrates the tremendous potential of the marine tourism industry to provide meaningful career opportunities for young people.

"We've always said that we could make a career and a business for young people out of what we do. Yes, we're interested in running a successful business, but we also want to create career opportunities for young people," he noted.

Globally, Sea TREK has facilitated millions of underwater experiences and relies on highly trained guides and coordinators who meet strict international standards. Jameel's achievement places Saint Lucia firmly on the international Sea TREK map and further enhances the island's reputation as a premier destination for marine tourism, adventure experiences, and youth entrepreneurship.

The achievement also underscores the importance of investing in skills development within the blue economy, a sector that continues to offer promising opportunities for employment, innovation, and sustainable economic growth in Saint Lucia.

Saint Lucia Expands Climate Monitoring Through Citizen Science Initiative

Castries, Saint Lucia, June 10, 2026 – The National Integrated Planning and Programming Unit (NIPP) is leading a new initiative aimed at strengthening Saint Lucia’s climate resilience through citizen science and environmental monitoring. Under the SALUT Project, weather stations will be installed in schools across the island, allowing students and communities to contribute directly to climate data collection while helping policymakers better understand local environmental conditions.

The initiative forms part of the SALUT Project, a collaborative partnership involving NIPP, the Department of Physical Planning, the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC), KU Leuven University in Belgium, and the GISIG Association of Italy. The project recently entered a new phase with a train-the-trainers workshop and the installation of the first weather station at the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College.

Director of the National Integrated Planning and Programming Unit, Howard Wells, said the project is designed to encourage citizen science by equipping young people with practical tools to observe and better understand their environment.

“The whole idea is to encourage citizen science. Get young persons, particularly our students, into the whole idea of Earth observation. As you know, climate change is real, but it is as real as you can see it. So we want to get students into the whole business of observing the environment. Where best to start? We felt that the first sensor should be installed at the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, which is our premier learning institution.”

A key component of the SALUT Project is the establishment of a network of weather stations across Saint Lucia, primarily within schools. These stations will collect localized data on rainfall, wind speed, temperature, and ultraviolet radiation, strengthening climate monitoring while providing valuable hands-on learning opportunities for students.

Representatives from KU Leuven University are currently in Saint Lucia training local stakeholders in the installation and operation of the equipment. Junior Researcher and SALUT Project Co-Coordinator, Evert Van Bever, explained that the weather stations will complement traditional meteorological systems by providing highly localized environmental data.

“These small sensors give us a very dense network where we then can compare local differences. We will use it to teach people and students about weather differences, and we hope it can help us indicate things like storms, local rains and disasters.”

Project officials noted that the weather stations are significantly more affordable than traditional meteorological equipment, making it possible to deploy a larger network across the island and improve access to climate information.

As the lead local agency, NIPP will coordinate the installation of approximately twelve weather stations and support participating schools as they become part of the growing climate observation network. Wells noted that the initiative aligns with NIPP’s broader mandate to strengthen evidence-based planning and promote resilience through innovation, technology, and strategic partnerships.

“We have on board with us teachers and faculty from the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College who will not just be receiving the training on how the sensors are installed, but they will also be part of curricula that we’re hoping to have developed under this project.”

Over the coming months, project partners will work to connect the weather stations to a centralized data platform, enabling educators, researchers, government agencies, and communities to access and analyze climate information in real time.

Van Bever noted that the project will continue over a three-year period, with training and network development activities expanding throughout the island.

“This week, we’ll do some short sessions where we teach the installation of the sensors, and then over the next half year, we’ll train people on how to connect them fully to a sensor network we’re hoping to set up.”

Officials believe the initiative will not only strengthen climate monitoring and disaster preparedness but also foster a culture of environmental awareness, scientific inquiry, and data-driven decision-making among Saint Lucia’s youth.

As climate-related challenges continue to impact Small Island Developing States, NIPP says projects such as SALUT demonstrate the importance of empowering citizens with knowledge and data to support more resilient and sustainable development.

CSO Deploys Drones to Improve Mapping and Strengthen National Surveys

Castries, Saint Lucia – June 8, 2026 – The Central Statistical Office (CSO) has introduced drone technology into its mapping operations as part of ongoing efforts to improve the accuracy and quality of official statistics in Saint Lucia.

The initiative will support the CSO’s responsibility to maintain current and reliable maps used by enumerators conducting household surveys across the island. By utilizing drones, the agency will be able to capture updated imagery, identify new developments, and ensure that statistical field operations are based on the most accurate information available.

Mapping Supervisor at the Central Statistical Office, Sherma Small, explained that the use of drones represents the latest step in the agency’s efforts to modernize its mapping processes.

“Development is a continuous process, and it is important that our maps reflect those changes. We have used satellite imagery and other mapping resources in the past, but the acquisition of our own drones allows us to update information more efficiently and accurately,” Small said.

The technology will be particularly useful in areas where significant residential development has occurred, as well as in communities that are difficult to access. Drone imagery will assist the CSO in identifying housing stock, updating enumeration districts, and improving survey planning.

Small emphasized that the drones are not being used for surveillance purposes and that the privacy of citizens will be respected at all times.

“We are not out to mind people’s business. Our objective is to obtain an accurate picture of the island’s housing and building stock so that we can produce precise and reliable statistical information,” she noted.

The CSO has also assured the public that all drone operations will comply with national aviation regulations and will be conducted at safe operating heights. The agency works closely with aviation authorities to ensure that flights are authorized and conducted safely.

According to the CSO, the technology will play an important role in supporting the implementation of the new Labour Force Survey and in updating areas that have experienced population growth since the most recent Population and Housing Census.

The use of drones will now become a regular component of the CSO’s operations as the agency continues to strengthen data collection, improve mapping accuracy, and enhance the production of official statistics that support evidence-based decision-making and national development.

Saint Lucia Strengthens National Statistical System to Support Evidence-Based Development
Castries, Saint Lucia – June 8, 2026 — Saint Lucia is taking important steps to strengthen the production, management, and use of official statistics as the country prepares to revise its Medium-Term Development Strategy (MTDS) and develop a National Development Plan.

The commitment was reinforced during a three-day National Statistical System (NSS) Symposium hosted by the Central Statistical Office (CSO), which brought together representatives from government ministries, departments, agencies, and other key stakeholders to improve coordination, data quality, and the use of evidence in decision-making.

The symposium forms part of the implementation of Saint Lucia’s first National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS), a framework designed to enhance the quality, accessibility, and coordination of official statistics across the public sector.

Director of the Central Statistical Office, Sean Mathurin, emphasized that the success of the strategy depends on the active participation and collaboration of all institutions within the National Statistical System.

“Official statistics do not exist in isolation. Their true value is realized only when the processes behind them are understood, trusted, and supported, and when the information produced is timely, accessible, and of high quality,” Mathurin stated.

He noted that the symposium placed significant focus on communication and advocacy, recognizing that public trust and confidence are essential to the effective use of official statistics. According to Mathurin, reliable and accessible data are critical to sound policymaking, national planning, and sustainable development.

“This is where the NSDS becomes critically important. It provides the framework for strengthening the systems needed to produce and manage the data required for informed decision-making and sustainable national development,” he added.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Development, Paul Hilaire, underscored the importance of strengthening coordination among ministries, departments, and agencies to reduce duplication and improve efficiency in data collection and management.

He stressed that official statistics rely heavily on the cooperation of businesses, households, and individuals, making public participation essential to the success of surveys and censuses. Hilaire also highlighted the increasing importance of emerging technologies and new data sources in modern statistical systems.

“This includes strengthening data quality, improving the timeliness and accessibility of statistics, and promoting the use of data in policy and planning. It also requires upholding the professionalism, integrity, and confidentiality on which official statistics are prepared,” Hilaire said.

Facilitator of the symposium and former Head of Statistics at the OECS Commission, Gail Archibald, said one of the event’s key objectives was to help stakeholders better understand their role within the National Statistical System.

She explained that while many people associate statistics primarily with data collection, a broader system operates behind the scenes to ensure information is accurate, reliable, and fit for purpose.

Archibald also emphasized the importance of maintaining quality standards, consistency, and comparability across statistical systems at both the national and regional levels.

“Most times when people talk about quality, they say accurate, timely, and reliable. These are dimensions of quality. In official statistics, consistency, coherence, and comparability are equally important to ensuring that data can be trusted and effectively used for decision-making,” she noted.

The symposium strengthened collaboration among data producers and users, enhanced understanding of the National Statistical System, and reinforced the importance of high-quality statistics in supporting evidence-based policymaking and national development.

As Saint Lucia advances its development agenda, officials say a stronger statistical system will play a vital role in ensuring that policies, programmes, and investments are guided by accurate, timely, and reliable information.

Saint Lucia is being recognized by the Commonwealth Secretariat as a model for effective public debt management among Small Island Developing States, following significant reforms undertaken by the Debt and Investment Unit within the Department of Finance. Officials say the implementation of the Commonwealth Meridian Debt Management System has strengthened transparency, improved decision-making, and positioned Saint Lucia as a regional leader in modern debt management practices.

Financial Sector Stakeholders Welcome New Insolvency Regulations in Saint Lucia

Stakeholders within Saint Lucia’s financial sector are expressing optimism following a consultation hosted by the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC) in collaboration with the Office of the Supervisor of Insolvency. The consultation focused on the country’s newly approved insolvency regulations, which are expected to strengthen the implementation of the new insolvency framework and provide greater support for debt rehabilitation and financial stability.

The engagement brought together representatives from commercial banks, credit unions, money services businesses, and other financial institutions to discuss the practical application of the legislation and its implications for consumers and the wider financial sector.
General Manager of the St. Lucia Cooperative Credit Union League, Shayne Felicien, said the credit union movement views the Insolvency Act as an important mechanism for assisting members experiencing financial difficulties.

Felicien noted that while new legislation may naturally create some apprehension, the passage of the regulations now provides the practical guidance necessary to operationalize the legislation effectively. He added that the strong participation of credit unions at the consultation reflected the sector’s commitment to understanding the framework and helping members benefit from it.

President of the Saint Lucia Bankers Association and Country Manager for Republic Bank EC Limited, Ron Leon, described the consultation as productive and beneficial for both consumers and financial institutions. He explained that the insolvency framework creates structured pathways for individuals facing financial hardship to work toward recovery through supervised arrangements and professional guidance.

Leon also indicated that financial institutions used the opportunity to provide recommendations aimed at improving flexibility within the framework and enhancing access to credit throughout Saint Lucia.

Supervisor of Bankruptcy and Insolvency, Nathalie Dusauzay, said the recently approved regulations now allow the Insolvency Act to be fully administered and implemented. She emphasized the importance of engaging financial institutions to ensure collaboration between debtors and secured creditors in facilitating financial rehabilitation under the legislation.

Director of the NCPC, Lisa Florent-Montoute, described the consultation as another significant milestone in the implementation of Saint Lucia’s insolvency framework. She noted that the session ensured financial institutions were fully informed of both the Act and its accompanying regulations as the country moves toward full implementation.

Legal Consultant, Bota McNamara, served as lead presenter during the consultation, which was held at the Bank of Saint Lucia Conference Room in Castries.

Officials say the insolvency framework is intended to provide individuals and businesses facing financial challenges with legal mechanisms for rehabilitation and recovery, while strengthening confidence and stability within the financial system.