TCI News
TCI: Eliza Simons student tops GSAT 2018, Oseta Jolly primary sets bar higher with better pass rate
#Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Tuesday June 26, 2018 – A usual chart-topping streak has been broken with the absence of Oseta Jolly Primary School from the Top Ten list of the Grade Six Achievement Test for 2018.
The school, usually located in Blue Hills Providenciales was the hardest hit public institution by the ferocious Hurricane Irma, which pounded the site and obliterated any possibility of the 500 children returning to the campus during the 2017-2018 Academic year.
The Ministry of Education suffered a firestorm of criticism for its handling of conditions for the students and teachers, faculty and parents of Oseta Jolly Primary but there was no trace of animosity when this evening we spoke to the school’s principal, Rachel Handfield.
There was jubilation in Mrs. Handfield’s voice and she reveled in the performance of her students. 
“It was a happy atmosphere at Oseta Jolly today when we got the results. Yes, there was the list (of top ten students) but we are happy to celebrate with Enid Capron and Ona Glinton in particular and to see that government schools have done well.”
Oseta Jolly students and faculty had taken up residence at the Edward Gartland Youth Center and the Gus Lightbourne Gym following the September storm. Public schools were closed nearly two months.
There was challenge with a lack of privacy in teaching the students, extreme heat was also a foe when the air-conditioner at the Gym malfunctioned; it forced the school to go to half days; complaints by staff exposed to the public that there were leaky ceilings due to excessive rainfall and when it was time for the GSAT examinations, once again Oseta Jolly’s regular time table was upset as classes were suspended for a week for all students because the gym was a venue for the exam in Provo. 
Two boys were top of the best performer’s list; Ewing Franklyn of Eliza Simmons Primary School in Grand Turk earned the number one spot and at No. 2 was James T’Andre’ from Precious Treasures International School in Providenciales. Franklyn earned an overall 92.29 per cent and T’Andre’ had 92.19 per cent.
There were 12 students named for the Top Ten, with a three way tie for tenth place.
Minister of Education, Karen Malcolm confirmed that the list we received on social media was indeed authentic and it revealed that of the ten performances on the regional and national exam, for the Turks and Caicos Islands the government school system dominated.
Ten of the 12 were from public primary schools and making the best showing was Ona Glinton of Grand Turk with five of its students there, two for Eliza Simons Primary also in Grand Turk and Enid Capron Primary of Five Cays with three students making the best list.
When Magnetic Media contacted Oseta Jolly’s principal to determine the mood of the school given its absence from the nation’s best GSAT performers’ list, there was the sound of sincere joy in Mrs. Handfield’s voice as she explained that her school is happy.
“We had 73 students sit the GSAT and only nine were unsuccessful. Our 86 per cent pass rate was an improvement and we are extremely happy. I am excited for schools like Enid Capron and Ona Glinton which stood out this year. I celebrate that Oseta Jolly has gotten these children ready to enter high school.”
Oseta Jolly Primary remains the only displaced school following the harrowing hurricane season of 2017 yet the principal explained that she was thrilled at the pass rate of her remedial class, where of the 26 students sitting the GSAT from that focus group, 23 overcame the odds and passed their GSAT.
There was the sound of activity as Mrs. Handfield spoke to us via phone. It was explained that students are now relaxed and readying for another big moment: the Mr & Ms Oseta Jolly Primary school pageant which is set for this coming Thursday July 26, 2018 at the Gus Lightbourne Gym.
There are 11 contestants in the pageant.
News
The Department of Trade, Industry & Fair Competition to Host Export Readiness Workshop Under the theme “Empowering TCI Businesses for Local Growth and Global Markets.”
TCI News
Experience Turks and Caicos and Aquila Host Product Development Workshops to Strengthen Sister Islands Tourism
PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS – Experience Turks and Caicos, in collaboration with the Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence, successfully hosted a Product Development Workshop for tourism stakeholders from North Caicos, Middle Caicos, and South Caicos on Wednesday, January 14 and Thursday, January 15, 2026.
The workshop was designed to support tour operators, entrepreneurs, and tourism-related businesses as they adapt to the evolving demands of the global tourism industry. Participants engaged in hands-on exercises and structured sessions aimed at reimagining existing tourism products and developing new, innovative, and sustainable experiences that are market-ready and aligned with current visitor expectations.
Throughout the workshop, attendees were equipped with practical tools and strategies to develop high-impact tourism offerings, strengthen
product packaging and pricing, assess market readiness, and enhance value creation. Emphasis was also placed on collaboration, partnership development, and the promotion of sustainable practices to ensure that the Turks and Caicos Islands remain a fresh, competitive, and appealing destination. More than 20 participants representing tourism businesses across the islands took part in the training sessions.
“Experience Turks and Caicos has a responsibility to ensure that all communities across the Turks and Caicos Islands benefit from tourism. These workshops are designed to equip local businesses with the essential tools and knowledge needed to maximise the opportunities within the industry, and we look forward to supporting their continued growth,” said Mr. Paul Pennicook, Interim CEO Consultant.
Speaking on the importance of the initiative, Candesha Mills the Product Development Manager at Experience Turks and Caicos said: “We are actively working on destination development by supporting our stakeholders as they reimagine their products and experiences. Workshops like this are critical to helping businesses identify opportunities for collaboration, create bundled offerings, and develop cohesive tourism experiences that align with emerging trends and evolving visitor expectations.”
The workshops were facilitated by Ms. Ambra Attus, who guided participants through strategies for designing distinctive and engaging tourism experiences that resonate with today’s travellers.
She said: “Product development is where destinations truly define their identity, and these trainings are designed to help operators in North, Middle and South Caicos create experiences that are not only market-ready, but meaningful, high-quality, and rooted in what makes these islands truly special. These sessions reflect a forward-thinking commitment by Experience Turks and Caicos to invest in their people and in the long-term quality of the destination’s tourism product. Aquila is proud to be your training partner.”
The workshop also featured the Invest TCI MSME Team, who were on site with an information station available throughout both sessions. Stakeholders had the opportunity to engage directly with the team, gain insights into the MSME Programme, and learn more about the range of support services, incentives, and resources available to assist business growth and development.
Experience Turks and Caicos commended participants for their commitment to investing in their businesses and contributing to the continued enhancement of the destination’s tourism product. The organisation expressed appreciation for the active participation and innovative ideas shared during the session, which are expected to contribute meaningfully to the sustainable growth of tourism in North and Middle Caicos and South Caicos.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Thursday, 5 February 2026: The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in collaboration with
partner agencies, coordinated a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at Silverado Wells in Five Cays. The exercise was led by the Crown Land Unit, pursuant to its statutory mandate under the Crown Land Ordinance to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land. The ISU coordinated the operation, with support provided by Immigration and Border Services, while the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force ensured security throughout the activity.
The enforcement action followed a series of inspections conducted by the Crown Land Unit throughout Five Cays, which identified an illegal concrete structure on the subject parcel. In keeping with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance, a Section 22 Notice of Illegal Occupation was posted on the structure. Following the failure of the responsible party or parties to comply within the prescribed timeframe, enforcement action was authorised.
The Informal Settlements Unit reiterates that these coordinated enforcement exercises form part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to uphold the law, protect Crown land, and manage informal settlements in a structured and lawful manner. Members of the public are reminded that unauthorised occupation and development on Crown land is unlawful and subject to enforcement action.
-
News3 days agoThe Department of Trade, Industry & Fair Competition to Host Export Readiness Workshop Under the theme “Empowering TCI Businesses for Local Growth and Global Markets.”
-
TCI News5 days agoExperience Turks and Caicos and Aquila Host Product Development Workshops to Strengthen Sister Islands Tourism