Curtis M. King assumed the role of Minister of Education and National Reconciliation in December 2020, continuing a career in education spanning over three decades.
He received his early education at the Belair Government School, the St. Vincent Grammar School, the St. Vincent Teachers Training College and the Commonwealth Caribbean Youth Centre in Georgetown, Guyana. Mr. King holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus and a Post Graduate Diploma in Educational Management and Leadership from the University of Technology in Jamaica.
Mr. King has taught at both the primary and secondary school levels at several institutions, including the Gomea Methodist and CW Prescod Primary schools. At the secondary level, Mr. King was assigned to the St. Vincent Grammar School as Graduate History Teacher. He later served as Deputy Principal (A.g.) of the JP Eustace Memorial Secondary School and the West St. George Secondary School. In 2010, Mr. King was appointed Deputy Headmaster of the St. Vincent Grammar School, a post he held until 2013 when he was elevated to the position of Headmaster of his beloved alma mater, the St. Vincent Grammar School. He held the post until his retirement from the public service on 24th January 2019.
Mr. King’s period of administration at the St. Vincent Grammar School witnessed significant strides in academic, sports and extra-curricular activities. The School recorded an average pass of just over 92% at the annual CXC-CSEC Examinations and won all of the annual Inter-Secondary School Athletics, Table Tennis and U-15 Cricket competitions during that period. New initiatives included the introduction of an Annual Year Book, A Student Management Information System and the annual participation in the prestigious Penn Relays in the USA.
Mr. King has always brought a high level of energy and enthusiasm to his work. Throughout his early years, he was an active youth leader and participated in numerous regional and international youth meetings and conferences. He also served as president of several organizations including the Top Belair Progressive Organization, the National Youth Council of SVG, the Caribbean Federation of Youth, the SVG Secondary Schools History Teachers Association and the Teachers Co-Operative Credit Union. Mr. King is a tireless worker in the promotion of local History, reparatory justice for Slavery, Credit Unionism and Youth and Community Development. He has received many awards and plaques of appreciation and recognition from several organizations at home and abroad for his work in education, youth and community development.
Mr. King is married to Suzette Abbott-King with whom he has 3 children: Mandela, Mikaela and Mbeki.
Delivering for West St. George
- PROPERTY OWNERSHIP – Delivered Offer Letters to residents of Upper Queen’s Drive to purchase the state lands they have been living on for 50 cents per square foot.
- HOUSING – Delivered many houses to low-income families under the ‘Lives to Live” programme.
- HEALTHCARE – The commencement of the Acute Care Hospital in Arnos Vale.
- SPORTS & YOUTH – Delivered the lighting of the Arnos Vale Playing Facility.
- EDUCATION – Expanded access to post-secondary and university education; and the establishment of a Food Preparation Lab at the West St. George Secondary School.
- BELAIR SPA – Revitalized the mineral springs as an integrated community and wellness project.
Vision for West St. George
- Upgrading the BELAIR HEALTH CLINIC at a cost of $3.7 million.
- The construction of a SMALL BUSINESS INCUBATION COMPLEX at the old Banana Boxing Plant in Dauphine.
- Lighting the DAUPHINE PLAYING FIELD and upgrading the DORSETSHIRE HILL and BELAIR PLAYING FIELDS.
- Expanding the TVET programme at the WSG Secondary School to offer students and the community a FULL TVET CURRICULUM.
- Establish a recreational/community building in BELMONT.
- Relocate displaced persons to recommence skills training programmes at the Doris McKee Learning Resource Centre.