PRESS RELEASE

FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – September 2024: As the school year begins, the Ministry of Health and Services is dedicated to ensuring students stay healthy and active throughout the academic year. The return to school is an exciting time, and we are encouraging parents to help their children build healthy habits that will support their physical and mental well-being. Here are some essential general health tips to keep in mind:

1. Eat a Balanced Diet: Encourage your child to consume a variety of nutrient-rich foods that support growth and energy.
   • Include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein in their daily meals.
   • Limit sugary snacks and junk food, which can affect concentration and energy levels.

2. Stay Hydrated: Hydration is crucial for mental clarity and physical performance.
   • Ensure your child drinks plenty of water throughout the day, especially during school hours.
   • Equip them with a reusable water bottle to make hydration easy and accessible.
3. Stay Active: Physical activity promotes not just fitness, but also mental alertness.
   • Encourage participation in school sports or active play during recess.
   • Aim for at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day, whether through organised sports or free play

4. Manage Stress: School can sometimes be stressful for students, especially as they balance academic and extracurricular activities.
   • Teach your child to take regular breaks to relax and recharge.
   • Encourage open conversations if they feel overwhelmed. Let them know it’s okay to ask for help.

Maintaining proper hygiene and practising illness prevention is essential for keeping students healthy, especially during the school year when they interact closely with others in classrooms and playgrounds. Here are some hygiene-related tips:

1. Wash Hands Regularly: Good hand hygiene is a key defense against illness.
   1. Teach children to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before meals and after using the restroom

2. Practice Good Hygiene: Promoting cleanliness reduces the spread of illness.
   1. Remind your child to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or their elbow when coughing or sneezing.
   2. Encourage them to avoid touching their face with unwashed hands to reduce the risk of infections.

3. Stay Home if You’re Sick:One of the best ways to prevent the spread of illness in schools is staying home when unwell.
   1. Keep your child home if they are showing signs of illness to protect classmates and teachers.
   2. Seek medical advice if symptoms persist or worsen.

4. Get Vaccinated: Immunisations are critical for preventing diseases.
   1. Ensure your child is up to date with their required vaccinations.
   2. Consider the flu shot to protect against seasonal flu, especially before flu season begins.

The Minister of Health and Human Services, Shaun D. Malcolm remarked, “The Ministry of Health and Services is committed to supporting the health and safety of our students as they return to school. By following these simple tips, parents can help their children have a healthy, productive, and enjoyable school year”.

For additional information, please visit the Ministry of Health and Human Services Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/.

Subject: The Neglect of Road Infrastructure in the TCI

Turks and Caicos, September 16, 2024 – The PDM along with Turks and Caicos Islanders are deeply concerned about the deplorable conditions of the highways and roads, particularly in Providenciales. As I travel across the island and listen to the concerns of our citizens, one issue that stands out is the lack of proper maintenance and upkeep of our roadways. This is not just a matter of inconvenience, but a blatant failure by the current PNP Administration to carry out one of the most basic functions of government: ensuring our roads are safe, functional, and well-maintained.

Many of the roads are overgrown with trees and bush, creating both an eyesore and a hazard for motorists and pedestrians. The once pristine landscapes that contributed to our image as “Beautiful by Nature” are now obscured by untrimmed vegetation and deteriorating road conditions. This is in stark contrast to the beauty that we proudly showcase to the world as our biggest selling point in the tourism market.

Tourism is the lifeblood of our economy, and the condition of our roads is a reflection of how we maintain the image of our islands. When tourists drive through these overgrown, unkempt highways, what message are we sending? That we do not care about the very product we are trying to sell? This neglect not only affects the experience of our visitors but also places undue strain on our local residents who use these roads daily.

This lack of basic road maintenance is another example of the PNP’s incompetence. If they are failing at this most basic level, how can Turks and Caicos Islanders trust them to manage the more complex and pressing affairs of our country? Road maintenance is not a luxury; it is a necessity. It is the bare minimum that the government should be providing for its citizens. When the PNP boasts about their achievements, we must ask, what good is a record-setting budget if they can’t even ensure the proper upkeep of our roadways?

The PDM understands the importance of basic government functions. A new PDM government will make it a priority to address the comprehensive repair and maintenance of the road infrastructure across the entire Turks and Caicos Islands. We will ensure that roads are not only repaired but also regularly maintained to prevent these kinds of issues from arising again. Our administration will focus on the fundamentals first, because we know that when the basics are handled well, everything else follows.

The future of our islands depends on a government that can effectively manage the day-to-day needs of its people, while also preparing for long-term development and growth. The PDM is committed to ensuring that the Turks and Caicos Islands remains beautiful, not just in name, but in reality. The people of this nation deserve better, and under a PDM government, we will make sure that you get it.

Robert Been Jr.
Deputy Leader of the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM)
Turks and Caicos Islands

By LLONELLA GILBERT
Bahamas Information Services

NASSAU, The Bahamas — The EducationUSA Bahamas Advising Center was officially opened at The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) on Thursday, September 5, 2024, to help students throughout the country have personalized access to free, accurate, current and comprehensive information about US tertiary institutions.

Minister of Education & Technical and Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin thanked the US government for opening up the Center to help residents achieve the goal of going to a tertiary institution in the US.

The Education Minister said during a recent trip to Cuba, she learned that high school is called “pre-university”.

She noted that many students in The Bahamas believe that after high school, they should go out and work.

She said, “While there is nothing wrong with that, the secondary school experience should be seen as a launching pad for something more, further and greater.  We want our young people to see themselves in that way.

“We want to encourage our young people, all of them going through high school, that they are in pre-university.  It is just the launching pad for more that is out there for them.”

The Minister added that students should not only see their individual potential, but also come back home after going to a tertiary institution abroad to help build national capacity.

President, BTVI, Dr. Linda Davis; US Chargé d’Affaires, Kimberly Furnish; EducationUSA Regional Manager for North America, Central America and the Caribbean, Giselle Dubinsky; Public Affairs Officer/US Embassy, Suemayah Abu-Douleh also attended the opening.

Dr. Davis said the use of the Center is not limited to BTVI students.  “Bahamians and residents throughout The Bahamas wishing to study in the US should consider EducationUSA at BTVI as their official source of information.”

She explained that in 2019, BTVI and the US Embassy signed a Memorandum of Understanding, agreeing to establish the Center on BTVI’s main campus.

“The Center was operationalized in 2023 and today we celebrate its inauguration.  BTVI is pleased to finally reach this milestone and join the global network of over 400 EducationUSA Advising Centers, tasked with facilitating much needed guidance and support for students wishing to matriculate to a US institution.”

The US Chargé d’Affaires said EducationUSA aims to make opportunities to study at US tertiary institutions more accessible to students by providing them with the guidance and resources they need to pursue their academic dreams in the US.

She also explained that part of the mission of the Center is to ensure that students choose tertiary institutions that are accredited.

“The Center will serve as a hub for students, parents and educators seeking information about US higher education.  Our advisor Breann Marshall is here to assist every step of the way from selecting the right institution to understanding the VISA requirements.”

PHOTO CAPTION

BIS Photos/Patrick Hanna

Header : Ribbon Cutting

The EducationUSA Bahamas Advising Center was officially opened at The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) on Thursday, September 5, 2024, to help students throughout the country obtain personalized access to free, accurate, current and comprehensive information about US tertiary institutions.  US Chargé d’Affaires, Kimberly Furnish and Minister of Education & Technical and Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin performed the ceremonial ribbon-cutting.

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Advisor, The EducationUSA Bahamas Advising Center, Breann Marshall (centre) shows Minister of Education & Technical and Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin and US Chargé d’Affaires, Kimberly Furnish around the Center.