News
HALF A MILLION TO BE SPENT ON GRAND BAHAMA SCHOOLS
FREEPORT, G.B. – August 16, 2013 — Education Minister the Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald said Friday, August 16, that he is pleased with the renovations being carried out to schools on Grand Bahama and that he expects a very smooth opening for government operated schools on the island.
Mr. Fitzgerald, accompanied by the Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, toured many of the schools on Grand Bahama. He was also accompanied by senior officials from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, and staff from the Ministry of Works.
The Education boss agreed that having a Minister in Grand Bahama like Mr. Darville, who has a degree in engineering, is helpful in the oversight of the repairs.
He admitted that during the tour they discovered “some issues, but we are going to get those addressed. But other than that all the other repairs are moving quite smoothly and we do not see that as an issue for us opening up and we are very pleased with the quality of work and the way the works are going.”
The Minister’s comments came after completing the tour of West Grand Bahama schools, where they discovered some minor plumbing and leaking issues, which he promised will be addressed.
Mr. Fitzgerald noted that last year more than a million dollars was spent on Grand Bahama schools owing to a number of structural areas that needed to be addressed, and that this year the repairs to the various schools should be around ½ million dollars.
Continuing, the Education Minister said they are pleased this year with what they have seen and that the Minister for Grand Bahama has been on top of things.
Mr. Fitzgerald said they have been getting reports from the various schools and that judging from the report, this year there was not a need to visit all schools on Grand Bahama, as some required very little work. He said he visited schools that required more repairs.
With regards to schools being ready for opening day, the Minister said that “it seems like we are not going to have any problems with that. It looks like from what I have seen by the end of next week we will be ready.
On the subject of staffing the Minister informed that last year they employed some one hundred and twenty teachers throughout the Commonwealth of The Bahamas representing the largest influx of teachers they have had in the system for a very long time.
“That helped to address a lot of the deficiencies that had built up over years. What happens is that today we have about two hundred trained teachers who are actually not teaching in the classroom, who are spread either with the ministry’s headquarters or in other ministries throughout the government.
“There is a high demand for highly skilled technical personnel and trained teachers come with a skill set that is needed in the Public Service,” he said.
The Minister noted that last year they made provisions to employ 80 teachers and that he got special Cabinet approval to hire another 120.
“So in one year really, we really filled that gap with the 200 that was missing out of the school system for quite sometime. So we are as well complemented with teachers as we have been in a long time,” he said.
He said he expects to see a full complement of teachers, however one can not get away from the fact that some teachers fail to show up or retire. He said thay have experienced teachers who actually break their contract on opening day.
“So in those instances it normally takes us a week or so to fill those positions, depending on what it is. It may take as much as two weeks, but if it is a math teacher it could take up to a month, but those are the only challenges that we will see, but we are not going in with a shortage as we have in previous years, trying to fill the gap.
“This year we have the compliment and only those who fail to up on the first day of school or couple days before, we may have an issue with, but other than that we are in very good shape,” he stressed.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – May 14th, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Government and Molo Hotel Group reached a pivotal juncture on Monday, May 13th, 2024, with the ceremonial signing of a development agreement at the Premier’s Office on Providenciales. The agreement, which received official Cabinet approval on March 13th, 2024, signifies a steadfast commitment to advancing the economic landscape of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Molo Hotel Group is a family-owned business, renowned for its distinguished portfolio of high-quality hotels worldwide. The
development initiative encompasses the construction of three distinct IHG branded hotels: InterContinental Turks and Caicos, Kimpton Turks and Caicos and Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos. Scheduled for completion by 2027, each resort boasts a distinctive design from luxury to laidback sophistication spanning across the shores of Grace Bay Beach.
Kimpton Turks and Caicos – an epitome of luxury lifestyle living, will feature 192 guest rooms including three outdoor pools, a luxury spa and a fitness center. Additionally, seven dining options ranging from a beachfront restaurant to a rooftop bar.
Adjacent to the Kimpton, InterContinental Turks and Caicos will offer 59 classic luxury suites with panoramic ocean views. Mirroring its counterpart, this resort will offer an array of dining options and upscale facilities.
Steps away from the Intercontinental and Kimpton resorts, Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos will embrace a sense of community and contemporary elegance, offering 56 bedrooms. The resort will feature an onsite restaurant, lobby bar, outdoor pool, and fitness room.
Beyond the realm of hospitality, this development agreement underscores the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and enhancing employment opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Molo is partnering with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) to actively promote hospitality as a career choice and support in developing training programs, career fairs, seminars, workshops, and events to raise awareness about hospitality careers. Molo has committed to provide employment and apprentice opportunities to TCICC students and provide mentoring and practical on property training to students.
The signing event was graced by Hon. Charles Washington Missick, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier, Hon. Kyle Knowles, Minister of Public Safety and Utilities, Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Łukasz and Marcin Slominski, Owners of Molo, Ross Morrow, Managing Director Molo, Arik Kono, Vice President Upscale Development for IHG, Dr. Candice Williams, President and CEO of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Angela Musgrove, InvestTCI CEO, Dr. Barbara Ambrister, Chairperson of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Dr. Delores Stapleton- Harris, Vice President of Academic, Vocational and Student Affairs for the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Mr. Kevin Baxter, Dean of Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) and Sheryl McLaughlin, InvestTCI Investment Services Executive.
Commenting on the development agreement, Premier, Hon. Misick, stated “The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing of
IHG/Molo Hotels is a significant step towards a sustainable future for hospitality in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Three hotels, Kimpton, Intercontinental, and Hotel Indigo, will be introduced, enhancing our tourism product and creating employment opportunities.”
He further added, “Partnerships with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission are underway, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to developing human capital and elevating tourism offerings. This project will bring economic growth, embrace local talent, and enrich our economy.”
Additionally, Mrs. Angela Musgrove, CEO of Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, emphasized “This collaboration confirms our commitment to fostering economic growth and prosperity within our country. We have worked closely with Molo Hotel Group, and we are confident that this transformative project will further position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier destination for travel and investment. Much to our delight, it will also provide opportunities for engagement with our Community College and small business community.”
The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, operating through its primary Investment Promotion
Agency, Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, remains committed to attracting and facilitating Foreign Direct Investments to the country by providing a comprehensive suite of services. Through strategic initiatives and targeted promotion, the agency catalyzes sustainable development, driving innovation and small business opportunities across various sectors of the economy.
#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – Detectives of the Serious Crime Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force have
charged a man who allegedly stole a vehicle.
The accused, DANVANTE BRISCO, 30, of Kew Town, Providenciales, was charged with:
- One Count: Robbery
- One Count: Taking Motor Vehicle Without Authority
- One Count: Using Offensive Weapon to cause fear
Mr. BRISCO appeared in court today (May 13 ) and was granted bail of $7500.00 with one surety.
The matter was adjourned to July 05 for a Sufficiency Hearing.
#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – A 20-year-old Dock Yard male appeared in court today (May 13th) charged with a series of firearm-related offences.
The accused, JAMES SIMON, was denied bail and remanded into custody pending a Sufficiency Hearing scheduled for July 05th, 2024.
Mr. SIMON faces the following charges:
- One Count: Robbery;
- One Count: Gang Membership
- One Count: Possession of a Firearm for the Benefit of a Gang
- One Count: Possession of Ammunition for the Benefit of a Gang.
The charges against Mr. Simon followed investigations by officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force into a robbery at the parking lot of a Casino where three males robbed a victim.
Additionally, Mr. Simon is charged with the following offences, having been arrested on May 02nd, 2024, along South Dock Road.
- One Count: Possession of a Firearm
- One Count: Possession of Ammunition
- One Count: Unlawful Entry
Officers also charged a teenage minor who was in the company of Mr. Simon on May 02nd with One Count of UNLAWFUL ENTRY.
The accused, seventeen and from Kew Town, Providenciales, pleaded guilty and will be sentenced on May 20th.
-
Health7 days agoAstraZeneca withdraws COVID vaccines after millions took their jabs
-
TCI News1 week agoBomb Threat No 6. In TEN days
-
Caribbean News4 days agoBelize, Jamaica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and Syphilis
-
TCI News3 days agoEquity in Energy says Bahamas Energy & Transport Minister in legislative roll out
-
TCI News3 days agoFamily of 16 tourist claims negligence in Grand Turk jet ski death; Coroner’s Court hearing evidence
-
world news5 days agoElectricity Access for 600 Million a goal of UN Sustainability Week
-
Caribbean News4 days agoMagnetic Media attends Caribbean Media Summit, in focus AI in Journalism
-
Bahamas News3 days agoThe Bahamas Successfully Hosts Its Fourth World Athletics Relays