REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS + 27

 Accurate figures on the level of migration are not available. How-
 ever, it is believed to be much lower than the average during the past
 5 years. The estimated population increased by 1.5 percent during
 the year.
 The Virgin Islands Employment Service disclosed that employment
 reached its highest level at the end of fiscal year 1962. There was
 also a remarkable increase in the number of employees receiving
 higher wages. Opportunities for employment at higher remuneration
 occurred in sectors of construction, trade and Government
 employment.
 An appreciable portion of the rapid increase in economic activity
during the year was attributed to the development of human and
physical resources during the past 15 years. Virgin Islands workers,
especially those employed in factories with incentive programs, dem-
onstrated increased productivity. There was also a high rate of capi-
tal investment during the year.

 Comparison of Imports and Exports
 Total Trade 1955-61

 Year Imports Exports Total trade
1955--------------------- ....-------.. $16, 255, 575 $4,116,053 $20, 371, 628
1956 --. ----- -------- ---.. .--_... --- 18,947,426 5,597,161 24,544,587
1957 -.... --..------..-.---------.--.. 21,239,242 5,006,873 26,246,115
1958......----_---.... ----- ...--. -.. .. 23,622,093 3,534,805 27,156,898
19.59-....----._... --. --- ..--------- ---- 33, 642,297 6,273,623 39,915,920
1960.---------------..-- ---------.....-- 42,282,052 8, 255,017 50,637,069
1961-------....-_-_- -...- ....-- .-.- .... .. 50,208,444 9,133,124 59,329,046

Total imports from United States ------- --------- $38, 725, 786
Total imports from foreign .--------_------------_____________ 11, 482, 658
 Net total ----._---------------- _---------------_--_ 50, 208, 444
Total exports to United States ------------..----------------- 8, 317, 418
Total exports to foreign.-------------------..------------- 815, 706
 Net total------------------------------------- _-___ 9, 133, 124


 Department of Education

 The school year 1961-62 was a significant year for education in
these islands. In many respects, it marked a turning point in the
long history of education which dated back to 1841 when compulsory
education first became law. The Department recognized the require-
ments for change brought about by the great social and economic
developments which characterize this period in the Virgin Islands.
It accepted and answered with positive action the tremendous chal-
lenge to educational leadership which the times presented. The year
dramatized the unlimited opportunities for further educational growth