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.
Turks and Caicos, October 24, 2025 – Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey delivered an impassioned address to male students at Clement Howell High School, calling on them to recognize their power, seize their potential, and “awaken the sleeping giants” within.
In a message that blended humility, faith, and personal experience, the Commissioner reminded the boys that the decisions they make today will shape their future.“The choices you make today determine who you become tomorrow,” he said.
Bailey, who revealed he was the first in his family to attend high school, urged the students to embrace education and discipline as tools of
transformation.“Knowledge is power. If you want to be a real man, you need to read,” he told them. “Remember your potential — if others can do it, so can you. Some of you are sleeping giants waiting to be awakened.”
He emphasized that circumstances of birth do not dictate destiny, challenging the young men to carry self-respect, faith, and moral conviction wherever they go. “Self-respect is key; respect yourself, respect others, and respect God,” he said. “The circumstances you were born into do not define who you are.”
The Commissioner also spoke about resilience, advising that true strength often lies in restraint.
“There will be challenges, and people may try to impede your development — but rise above negativity. Sometimes, strength means walking away,” he said. “Some of you are sleeping lions; it’s time to awaken that instinct and rediscover your true potential.”
In closing, Commissioner Bailey delivered a stirring challenge:
“Each morning, look in the mirror and remind yourself that you were created by God and are capable of great exploits. You are a possibility with potential. Step forward with confidence — this is your country, your islands. Be the best version of yourself.”
Following his speech, the Commissioner engaged the students in open dialogue, answering questions and listening to their perspectives on issues affecting young men in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Developed by Deandrea Hamilton • with ChatGPT (AI) • edited by Magnetic Media.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 23 October 2025 — The Crown Land Unit, supported by the Informal Settlements Unit
(ISU) and the Immigration and Border Services, led the successful execution of a reclamation exercise in Five Cays and Blue Hills on Tuesday August 26, 2025. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force provided security for the operation which formed part of the Government’s mandate under the Crown Land Ordinance to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown Land.
During routine inspections, the Crown Land Unit identified three unoccupied, illegally constructed steel and concrete block structures on parcels 60610/226, 60610/228, and 60610/239, located in the area commonly referred to as Sand Bar Street, Five Cays. Notices of Illegal Occupation were issued in accordance with the Crown Land Ordinance, however the owners of the structures failed to comply with the instructions contained in the Notices. As a result, enforcement action was taken to remove the structures and reclaim the land.
The exercise resulted in the full reclamation of 1.18 acres of Crown Land, with the removal of three unauthorized structures which were all
block and concrete structures from foundation to belt beam stages of development.
Following the reclamation in Five Cays, the team proceeded to Blue Hills where ten Letters of Illegal Occupation were served across two parcels, reinforcing the Government’s commitment to land protection and management.
The ISU reaffirms its commitment to supporting partner agencies in the coordinated management of Crown Land, ensuring that all enforcement actions are conducted lawfully, efficiently, and in the public interest.
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