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Reopening of Public Schools in the Turks and Caicos Islands

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#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

  1. 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

 

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Bahamas News

Caribbean Bottling Supports the 27th Basketball Smiles Week  

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to once again support Basketball Smiles for their 27th year.

Upholding its corporate pillar of community outreach, CBC proudly donated $2,000, over 75 cases of Dasani, Powerade and Sprite, reusable Powerade water bottles and numerous marketing materials.

The annual sporting summer camp offers free basketball and life skills training to Junior and High School students.

Basketball Smiles’ mission of developing leadership qualities while fostering children’s academic achievement and self-esteem aligns perfectly with CBC’s commitment to supporting and empowering youth.

Jazmin Darling, Assistant Marketing Manager for Caribbean Bottling Company shared why the company continues to support this program each year.

“At CBC, we believe investing in our youth is one of the greatest ways to strengthen our communities. We’re proud to support Basketball Smiles each year because it goes beyond the game. This program champions healthy lifestyles, positive values and brighter futures. It’s a privilege to play a role in helping these young athletes reach their full potential each year,” she shared.

Sam Nicholls, Basketball Smiles Camp President and Founder expressed.

“Caribbean Bottling Company is an incredible partner. We are truly grateful for their generous support, which will go a long way in making a positive impact on the lives of our campers,” Nicholls expressed.

CBC is always ready to lend its support toward initiatives and programs that uplift young Bahamians. The impact Basketball Smiles makes on the community is undeniable and is why CBC remains a historic sponsor.

For more information on sponsorship, events and new products, visit www.cbcbahamas.com today.

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Bahamas News

CWS Supports Transforming Spaces with Premium Products and Unique Cocktails

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CWS brand representative for Bottega and Excellsior wines posing with attendees enjoying glasses of Bottega Gold Prosecco at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas.

NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines and Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wine and spirits distributor is thrilled to once again lend its support to Transforming Spaces (TS).

CWS is a proud historical partner of the annual art week which highlights Bahamian art and art spaces. Under this year’s theme, “Chasing Light” Transforming Spaces and Caribbean Wines & Spirits created a memorable art experience.

To mark 21 years of the upliftment and exposure of culture and Bahamian art, CWS offered award winning wines St. Francis, Rebellious, Bottega and Excellsior; premium spirits, Cross Keys Gin, El Tequileno Tequila, Angostura Rum and Nemiroff Vodka, along with the newly added Coors Light Beer from its portfolio.

To kickstart the annual art week, CWS delighted attendees with a tasting of globally renowned Bottega Wines at TS’ Poetry Jam, held at ICE Bahamas. Throughout the event, Bottega brand representatives shared tasting notes, ideal pairings, and insights into the brand’s portfolio.

During the highly anticipated Saturday and Sunday tours, CWS showcased its premium products at select art galleries.

Attendees enjoyed Rebellious and St. Francis wines at The Current: Baha Mar Art Gallery and Museum, Bottega and Excellsior wines at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, Coors Light beer at the University of The Bahamas Pro Gallery and hand-crafted Schweppes mixes featuring Cross Keys Gin, El Tequileno Tequila, Angostura Rum and Nemiroff Vodka at CAB Gallery & Studio.

Throughout the two-day tour, CWS product specialists enriched the experience by providing a deeper appreciation for their exceptional beverage portfolio.

Members of the Transforming Spaces Committee expressed their appreciation towards CWS’ support after another successful art week.

“Transforming Spaces is deeply grateful for the continued support of Caribbean Wines & Spirits over the years. Their partnership has become such an important part of the TS experience, helping us create welcoming and vibrant moments for our audiences across the tour weekend. From signature wines and cocktail bars to refreshments at gallery stops and pop-up events, their contribution brings an added sense of hospitality, celebration, and connection to the journey through Bahamian contemporary art.” — TS2026 Committee.

Caribbean Wines & Spirits is proud to partner with Transforming Spaces in supporting and elevating the voices and works of Bahamian artists and looks forward to strengthening this partnership for years to come.

To learn more about CWS’ involvement in the community, follow on social media @caribbeanwinesandspirits or visit the website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.

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Government

Government Outlines New Healthcare Vision as Interhealth Exit Accelerates Reform  

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By Magnetic Media Newsroom

 

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Turks and Caicos Islands Government says the breakdown of its relationship with InterHealth Canada presents an opportunity to reshape healthcare delivery, with plans to expand local medical services, strengthen primary care and reduce dependence on overseas treatment.

During a national briefing following InterHealth Canada’s notice terminating its hospital contract, Premier Charles Washington Misick acknowledged publicly for the first time that Government and InterHealth had been negotiating an exit from the arrangement for more than a year after what he described as an “irretrievably broken down” relationship.

Despite the contractual dispute, Misick and Health Minister Kyle Knowles stressed that healthcare services will continue uninterrupted during the transition.

“Allow us to do our job,” Knowles appealed, assuring residents that Government is actively managing the transition and safeguarding patient care.

The Premier outlined what amounts to a broader healthcare transformation built around four connected levels of care: strengthened community-based primary healthcare; expanded polyclinic services; enhanced hospital-based secondary care with greater specialist capacity; and overseas tertiary treatment only for cases that cannot be managed locally.

Among the proposals are the long-discussed establishment of intensive care units, expanded use of currently unfinished hospital space, recruitment of more resident specialist physicians and stronger contract management to oversee future healthcare agreements.

Knowles said the new polyclinic model will broaden services available outside the hospitals, including dentistry, ophthalmology, laboratory services, diagnostic imaging, gynaecology and preventative screening, helping to reduce pressure on emergency departments while improving early intervention.

Misick also acknowledged that while the hospital system significantly improved healthcare access after opening in 2010, Government believes further reform is necessary to improve affordability, sustainability and the range of services available within the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The briefing marked the Government’s most comprehensive explanation to date of its plans beyond the InterHealth contract, signalling that officials now see the transition as an opportunity to redesign healthcare delivery rather than simply replace one operator with another.

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