News

Reopening of Public Schools in the Turks and Caicos Islands

Published

9 years ago

September 28, 2017

#TurksandCaicos, September 28, 2017 – Providenciales – As a result of the passage of hurricanes Irma on 7th September and Maria on 21st September, 80 percent of public schools suffered damages affecting approximately 4,014 students. Immediately following the passage of the storms, the Government engaged the services of a local engineering company as well as an international engineer NGO group – UK SARAID to conduct a detailed assessment of the structural integrity of all public schools. The degree of damages to public schools ranged from minor to severe, but all were certified structurally intact.

However, given the extent of the damages in two of our schools and the potential noise impact associated with the construction environment coupled with the potential risk to our students, the Government decided to relocate all students from the Oseta Jolly Primary and the Eliza Simons Primary into alternative temporary locations.

Providing a safe learning environment is paramount and returning students to a state of normalcy by getting students back to school is a priority of the Government. We appreciate that parents have been very understandable during this difficult time and we ask for your further patience. The Government devised a three-prong approach which will be implemented simultaneously to return our students to school.

Strategic Approach 1

As can be appreciated, the senior students such as Forms 4 and 5 in the high schools and the Grades 5 and 6 in the primary schools should be preparing for examinations. As such, it is critical to return these students to the classroom. Priority will be given to these classes in schools which were heavily impacted.

Strategic Approach 2

While these students are settling in their schools, the Ministry of Education will continue with the needs assessment and fine tune its plans to usher the remaining students into school within the following week(s). This would entail, but will not be limited to, completing minor repair works to existing infrastructure at the schools thus making more classrooms available, or finalizing plans for alternative spaces for our students.

Strategic Approach 3

The Government is beginning the process of reprioritizing its capital programme, and in many cases has already commenced the repair work in all impacted schools, with the vision to rebuild stronger, better schools. The Ministry of Education will remain engaged with parents throughout this process and provide continuous updates directly and via the media on progress being made to fully return our students to a state of normalcy.

In keeping with the strategic approach outlined above, and acting on the recommendation from the Director of the Environmental Health Department, the following public schools throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands will be open to the specific classes of students as of Monday, 2nd October 2017:

School Island/location Forms or Grades

Doris Robinson Primary Middle Caicos All Grades

Hubert James Primary North Caicos All Grades

Clement Howell High Providenciales Forms 4 & 5 (report to the Long Bay High for classes) Ianthe Pratt Primary Providenciales Grades 6 students from the three public primary schools (Oseta Jolly, Enid Capron & Ianthe Pratt)

Please note:

The Turks and Caicos Islands Community College will resume classes on Tuesday, 10th October 2017.
Students who attended the Mary Robinson Primary School on Salt Cay will be prioritized for placement into public schools on Grand Turk.

The Ministry of Education will issue a follow-up release within the coming days to advise of plans to resume schooling for students of the H. J. Robinson High, Ona Glinton Primary, Eliza Simons Primary, Marjorie Basden High, Iris Stubbs Primary, Raymond Gardiner High, Adelaide Oemler Primary, Enid Capron Primary, and the Oseta Jolly Primary.

Recognising that many students and their families may have suffered great personal loss, the Ministry of Education is relaxing the wearing of uniforms for the remainder of Term 1. Parents are expected to ensure that their children are appropriately dressed.

Press Release: Hon. Karen Malcolm

News

Invest Turks and Caicos Islands Takes Platinum Sponsor Role at Premier Hotel Investment Summit

Published

2 days ago

May 23, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Turks and Caicos, May 23, 2026 – Invest Turks and Caicos Islands took center stage at one of the region’s most influential hospitality investment gatherings this spring, serving as a Platinum Sponsor at ALIS CALA 2026 in Coral Gables, Florida.

Held April 28 to 30 at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel, the conference brought together more than 600 tourism, hotel and investment leaders from over 35 countries focused on the future of hospitality investment in the Caribbean and Latin America.

ALIS CALA — short for the Americas Lodging Investment Summit Caribbean and Latin America — is widely regarded as the region’s premier deal-driven hospitality investment conference. The platform emerged from the merger of the long-running Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS) and Hotel Opportunities Latin America (HOLA), creating what organizers describe as a high-level space where investors, developers, lenders, hotel brands and government leaders connect around major regional projects and opportunities.

The event is known for attracting senior decision-makers, with roughly one in three delegates holding titles such as Chairman, CEO, President, Owner or Principal.

Invest Turks and Caicos said its participation focused heavily on showcasing investment opportunities across the territory, particularly in the Family Islands.

CEO Angela Musgrove delivered a presentation highlighting development opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands to what the agency described as a full room of attendees and strong stakeholder interest.

In a statement following the conference, Invest Turks and Caicos said discussions centered on tourism expansion, sustainable development and long-term investment partnerships designed to position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a leading investment destination in the region.

The agency added that it looks forward to continuing conversations started at ALIS CALA and building new partnerships with investors, developers and strategic stakeholders interested in growth opportunities throughout the islands.

The conference itself focused heavily on capital access, hotel development pipelines, mixed-use tourism projects and investment confidence throughout the Caribbean basin — sectors where Turks and Caicos continues to attract increasing international attention.

Bahamas News

From Hollywood to Parliament

Published

2 days ago

May 23, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

The Rick Fox Political Timeline

“Are You Thinking About Politics?”

Fox publicly acknowledged growing calls for him to enter Bahamian politics, saying he had been hearing from women, youth, business owners and everyday Bahamians who were “ready for something different.”

October 19, 2025

“Then Jump, Man.”

Fox revealed a conversation with NBA legend Michael Jordan, who encouraged him to enter politics after asking whether he believed he could help young Bahamians.

November 24, 2025

“The Bahamas Must Be First”

Fox officially announced his intention to run in the 2026 General Election, promising transparency, affordability, opportunity and a modern Bahamian economy.

February 4, 2026

“Officially Picked”

The Free National Movement formally ratified Fox as its candidate for Garden Hills, instantly making him one of the most talked-about figures in the election cycle.

March 20, 2026

“From Courtside to Campaign Stage”

Fox mounted the national campaign stage for the first time at the FNM’s major campaign launch at Baha Mar Resort in Nassau.

March 30, 2026

“I’m Giving The Salary Back”

Fox announced he would not take a parliamentary salary if elected, saying the funds should instead go back into helping the people of Garden Hills.

April 14, 2026

“Nomination Eve Goes Viral”

A heated confrontation involving Fox and PLP supporters outside the Parliamentary Registration Department exploded across social media after video captured the tense exchange.

April 16, 2026

“Pick Rick” Officially Launches

Nomination Day cemented Fox’s candidacy and formally launched the now-famous “Pick Rick” campaign branding.

April 19, 2026

“Vote and Win”

Jamiah Burrows won a vehicle through Fox’s civic participation challenge, part of a campaign effort encouraging voter engagement and turnout.

April 20, 2026

“The Wealthiest Candidate”

Financial disclosures revealed Fox as the wealthiest candidate in the 2026 election cycle, with reported assets exceeding $469 million, ending speculation about his financial standing.

April 25, 2026

“The Garden Hills Blueprint”

Fox unveiled detailed policy graphics outlining plans for:

youth development,
healthcare access,
infrastructure upgrades,
environmental restoration,
entrepreneurship,
and a proposed $10 million investment fund for Garden Hills.

May 4, 2026

“The Numbers Don’t Lie”

Fox’s campaign highlighted more than:

20 community clean-ups,
16 streets and locations served,
and 13 solar lights installed across Garden Hills during the campaign.

May 6, 2026

“Shaq Steps In”

NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal publicly endorsed Fox, helping elevate international attention surrounding the campaign.

May 8, 2026

“Buju Backs Rick”

Jamaican reggae icon Buju Banton threw his support behind Fox ahead of Election Day.

May 10, 2026

“Vanessa Williams Endorses”

Fox’s former wife, actress and singer Vanessa Williams publicly endorsed his campaign.

May 11, 2026

“Magic Joins the Campaign”

NBA icon Magic Johnson became the latest major celebrity to endorse Fox just one day before Bahamians went to the polls.

May 12, 2026

“Election Day”

Fox contested the Garden Hills constituency seat against PLP incumbent Mario Bowleg in one of the country’s most closely watched races.

May 13, 2026

“Grace in Defeat”

Fox publicly conceded the race and congratulated Bowleg on his victory in Garden Hills.

May 18, 2026

“We Pick Rick”

Despite losing at the polls, Fox officially entered Parliament after being appointed to the Senate by the FNM — with the party itself declaring:

“We Pick Rick.”

The appointment made Fox one of the most internationally recognized figures ever to serve in the Bahamian Senate.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

News

Multi-Agency Enforcement Action Conducted in Lower Bight

Published

2 days ago

May 23, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in coordination with the Planning Department and key partner agencies, conducted a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, May 7, 2026, in the Lower Bight area in Providenciales. The exercise resulted in the complete removal of a total of eight (8) unauthorized structures and all associated debris from a privately-owned parcel of land.

The operation was led by the Planning Department, with coordination by the ISU and support from the TCI Border Force, the Crown Land Unit, and Pelican Energy. Security for the exercise was provided by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. All agencies worked collaboratively to ensure the exercise was carried out in a safe, orderly, and controlled manner.

The enforcement action followed a structured and lawful process in accordance with the Physical Planning regulatory framework of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Section 45 Enforcement Notices were first issued on the affected parcel in December 2024, identifying unauthorized structures erected without the requisite approvals. This was followed by the issuance of Warning Notices on April 16, 2026, which advised occupants that they were in breach of planning and land use regulations and provided notice that demolition activities would proceed following the prescribed compliance period. Despite these notices and the time afforded for compliance, the unauthorized structures remained in place.

This exercise represents part of an ongoing commitment to ensuring that development within the Turks and Caicos Islands is lawful, safe, and aligned with national standards.