#TurksandCaicos, November 23, 2017 – Providenciales – The Ministry and Department of Education is pleased to announce that all Government and Private Schools throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands have resumed following the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
The Minister of Education, the Honorable Karen Malcolm along with officials from the Ministry and Department of Education have visited a number of schools throughout the islands in an attempt assess the conditions under which schools are operating and also to offer support to the Principals, staff and students of the various institutions.
The Return to Happiness, a programme aided by UNICEF has been instrumental in mitigating trauma experienced by students who were victims of the dreadful hurricanes. The Return to Happinessprogramme has also promoted the concept of safer schools through the implementation of initiatives and procedures which seek to prepare students to effectively address incidents which threaten their livelihood. Hence, although some schools continue to experience episodes of conflict, restlessness and indiscipline among its student body, most schools throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands have return to a state of normalcy.
In isolated cases in where we have observed an elevated level of indiscipline, meetings are held with parents/guardians of the students involved. Daily checks were put in place to ensure that students behavior are monitored. The Ministry will be taking serious disciplinary actions against the students who continually seek to disrupt the daily routine at school.
The Minister of Education, Hon. Karen Malcom stated that “The Ministry and Department of Education is committed to providing additional support to schools where acts of violence or indiscipline are prevalent. To this end, on November 23rd, 2017, the Long Bay High School will be conducting a Behaviour Management Workshop with all members of staff. It is anticipated that the workshop will help to identify best practices for addressing behavioural challenges among students and implement measures to prevent indiscipline in school.
She went on to say that; “We believe that it is initiatives such as these which will help to equip teachers with the knowledge, skills and attitude necessary to alter undesirable behavior among students and encourage behaviours which are acceptable.”
The Ministry of Education wishes to express gratitude to all local, regional and international stakeholders for the role played in helping to ensure that the students of the Turks and Caicos Islands continue their pursuit for an education in environments which are conducive to teaching and learning.
Press Release: TCIG
