Brit. Virgin Islands: New facility for students with "diverse learning needs"

Oct 13, 2025, BVI News: Special needs students to get new home as Eslyn Henley opens

The BVI will officially open the newly rebuilt Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre today, marking a major step in advancing inclusive education for students with special needs.

The government, through the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, will host an official ceremony to commemorate what officials describe as the fulfilment of a long-awaited vision for the territory’s only dedicated special education institution.

... The new facility will now provide a permanent home for students with diverse learning needs, following years of relocation due to the 2017 hurricanes.

The rebuilt centre features four classrooms, two exterior learning spaces, a sensory room, a therapy room, a media room, a multipurpose hall, a hygiene room, a nurse’s station, and quiet areas for reflection in the rain and sensory garden. These facilities are designed to support a wide range of learning styles and create a safe, accessible environment that promotes inclusion. . . .

 “The Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre reflects our commitment to ensuring every child has access to quality education in a space designed for their needs. More than just a building, it affirms our dedication to supporting and including our exceptional students,” she stated.

The project was implemented by the Recovery and Development Agency, with design by TigerQi Architecture and construction by Autland Heavy Equipment.

The new centre will accommodate about thirty students and is funded through the Caribbean Development Bank’s rehabilitation and reconstruction loan programme.

Today’s ceremony will mark the completion of a key education milestone for the Virgin Islands as the government continues efforts to modernise and expand learning spaces for all students.