#TurksandCaicos, April 15, 2024 – Section 61 of the Turks and Caicos Islands constitution relates to the appointment of an Electoral District Boundary Commission. On 26^th February 2024, Her Excellency the Acting Governor Mrs. Anya Williams. appointed a Boundaries Commission to review and alter the present boundaries and make changes, if necessary.

The following persons were appointed as members of the Committee:

Rev Dr. Julia E Williams Retired Civil Servant and Methodist Minister    (Chairman)

Hon Justice K Neville Adderley  M.B.                                                          (Member)

Ms Tremaine R S Harvey LLB(hons) Attorney at Law                            (Member)

The Constitution also stipulates that a Commission after appointment may regulate its procedure and, with the Governor acting in her discretion, may confer powers and impose duties on any public officer, or any authority of the Government for the purpose of discharge of its functions.

For the purpose of discharge of its functions , the Commission

1. May invite views from members of the public.
2. Shall consult the public about the draft of its report; and
3. May seek advice as it considers appropriate.

The Commission and its members , under the Constitution, shall NOT be subject to the direction and control of any person or authority.

The Commission will review the boundaries of the Electoral Districts, and submit to the Governor and House of Assembly, a report on their findings.:-

1. Stating that in the opinion of the commission, no changes to these boundaries is required, OR
2. Recommending the changes in those boundaries specified in the report.

In determining its recommendations, the Commission under subsection (1) (b), and in determining whether or not to recommend any changes in the electoral district boundaries, the Commission shall  ensure  that the electoral districts contain, so far as is reasonably practicable, approximately equal numbers of persons qualified to be registered as electors.

In order to be successful in its deliberations and produce an efficient report to HE the Governor, the Commission will visit ALL islands, have discussions with members of the public and have public meetings.

Deliberations will commence as follows:-

 MEETING WITH GROUPS FACE TO FACE – 13^TH -16^TH MAY 2024

13^th May 2024         Salt Cay in the morning at 10.00 a.m.

Grand Turk in the evening at 6.30 p.m.

14^th May 2024         South Caicos at 6.30 pm

15^th May 2024         Middle Caicos in the morning at 10.00 a.m.

North Caicos in the evening at 6.30 p.m.

16^th May 2024         Meeting in Providenciales at 7.00 p.m.

Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

#Jamaica, April 15, 2024 – Jamaica’s teacher shortage is worsening as Schools in England increase the recruitment rate for qualified teachers outside of Europe according to reports.

Statistics show that in 2023, 1,100 work visas were issued to qualified secondary school teachers for England. This is more than the 555 visas issued in 2022 and the 205 in 2021.

From Jamaica alone, there were 486 qualified teachers recruited to England in 2023, twice as many compared to 2022.

Highlighting the seriousness of the impact this teacher brain drain has on Jamaica, Leighton Johnson, Head teacher and President of the Jamaica Teachers Association, reportedly highlighted that teacher shortages have been so severe that positions were unfilled for more than a year and where retired, untrained and teachers on vacation were hired.

Additionally, Johnson continued to point out that it’s much more serious than many realize as schools also had to cut subjects from syllabi, as they couldn’t find teachers to teach them. Also, some schools had to share teachers, some resorting to streaming so one teacher can teach two classes at once.

However, despite the unfortunate strain on the education sector, Jamaican teachers leaving for English Schools is fueled by the desire for better opportunities and Emiliana Vegas, a professor of practice at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education expresses this, featured in an article by The Guardian.

“The reality is that, from the perspective of a Jamaican teacher, moving to the UK to work is economically a good idea. Salaries and working conditions are much better in the UK than in most low- and middle-income countries, like Jamaica,” she maintained.

In their recruitment process, Johnson revealed in a report from the Guardian, that England has been going hard. He said they, alongside other countries, use advertising and seminars to attract teachers, as well as directly approaching them, offering higher salaries. Some, he says, are even given a stipend or payment of some kind to get them to go to England.

Johnson further informs that the recruiters will, through their networking, employ teachers to recruit other teachers, adding that Jamaican teachers are sought after by other countries like the US and Canada and the Middle East for their training and language skills.

Dan Moynihan, chief executive of the Harris Federation chain based around London, reportedly said they recruit Jamaican teachers because they can’t find any in England.

In 2023, the federation had officials fly to Jamaica where they held interviews and recruited 50 teachers mainly for Science and Math.

England’s increase in recruitment comes as the country reports having severe shortages in various subjects.

Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

#UnitedKingdom, April 15, 2024 – Upcoming African Caribbean Diaspora artists are being given the opportunity to live and work at King Charles 18th century Dumfries House in Scotland for three months, to hone their skills, reportedly due to an “artist in residence programme” being launched through King Charles’ charity.

This is an opportune development for aspiring Caribbean artists and comes after a collaboration between the King’s charity, that is the King’s Foundation and Maro Itoje, English rugby player and co-founder of Akjoe Residency, a charity that gives opportunities to artists from Commonwealth countries.

The programme will offer up to eight funded residencies annually and during the artists stay, they will be able to share their artistic views with exhibitions, open studios and talks; this is in line with Itjoe’s view that “art has the…ability to bring communities together.”

Featured in reports, Itoje describes the programme as providing a “haven” for established and upcoming artists, adding that the environment at Dumfries will be conducive to their development.

“They will benefit from being surrounded by the enriching ecosystem that Dumfries House provides as well as being a contributor to the growth of African art worldwide.”

Simon Sadinsky, executive of the King’s Foundation mirrors Itoje’s idea of the environment’s impact, while highlighting additional benefits of the programme saying, “The residencies, each lasting for three months, will give international artists the opportunity to gain inspiration from our beautiful Dumfries House headquarters while also benefiting from access to The King’s Foundation’s wide range of specialist workshops, expertise, and skilled craftspeople.”

Dumfries, used for education and training programmes, is open to the public all year round.