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TCI Article: Service Charge Cop Out

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#Providenciales, December 6, 2018 – Turks and Caicos – Early Saturday morning, December 1st 2018, many awoke to the news that the Service Charge Bill which was set to come into force that morning had been delayed with what could only be called a very flimsy explanation, barely a solid paragraph to boot.  While I was shocked at the blunder, I was not at all surprised.  Can we really point to one specific item that this administration has developed on its own for the people of the TCI wholeheartedly and succinctly on its own in nearly two years of Governance? I’ll wait…

In the meantime, I will provide some background information to show just why this is a cop out by this administration as something bigger might be at play behind the scenes.  In the spring of 2015, then Leader of the Opposition, Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson brought a motion to the HOA requesting that the Government consider giving working in the Hospitality industry 100% Gratuity.  Though missing the mark, and really meaning Service Charge, the debate about 100% Service Charge was thrust back into the public domain and would become an issue that the 2016 election might have been swung on.  The Ewing Administration set up a committee to review the issue and get feedback from industry folks and workers.  The committee worked at its leisure but things heated up again when in the fall of 2016, PDM Appointed member Hon. Clarence Selver who was an independent candidate at the time brought a Service Charge Amendment Bill to give TCI Workers 100% Service Charge and legalizing receiving tips. 

With elections looming and the committee’s work incomplete this Bill would not see the light of day as on the day it was finally scheduled for a first reading elections were called.  Fast forward to Spring 2017, when PNP Appointed Member Hon. Royal Robinson brought a similar 100% Service Charge amendment Bill, as the government hadn’t to that point even whispered the words 100% Service Charge to the public.  After taking licks in public for several month after not debating the Bill at several sittings of the HOA, the Sharlene Cartwright Robinson Led Administration Killed the Bill that would have given 100% Service Charge to the people.  This less than a year of supporting a similar Bill brought by Hon. Selver as mentioned above when they were in Opposition.

This year the PDM Service Charge Bill was finally drafted and released for feedback.  There were several meetings with industry folks, surveys to be filled out etc to get recommendations on possible amendments to the draft Bill. One such amendment made was to allow the newly proposed Facility Fee to be charged at a rate of up to 5% instead of the initially proposed 3% in the original draft.  Clearly somebody was listening to somebody at that point.  The bill was brought to the HOA, debated, sent to the committee of the whole where several amendments was proposed by the PNP members but voted down by the PDM Majority.  The Bill passed with bipartisan support and an implementation date of Dec 1st 2018 was set for the bill.

Why did I go through such detail?? To make the point that for 3 years now, this issue has been in the forefront of the people’s minds in the TCI, but yet at literally the 11th hour, there needs to be more public education, clarification, and amendments??  What the hell had these people been doing for the last 3 years?  If after 3 years of debating, discussing, and campaigning of an issue, if I can’t bring forth a bill that could at the very least be a good first crack at it out the gate, I would pack up shop!!  And the biggest joke is they had to know this was coming long time and could have forewarned the people about the issues as many splurged a little more for the Black Friday Sales in anticipation of the extra funds for Christmas.  But nooooo, both the Premier and Deputy Premier dropped this bomb on the country and slithered out of the country the next morning to the UK for the JMC meeting, leaving poor Delroy to hold the bag!  How cowardly, ducking the media and the people after chilling the night before at the TCI Culinary Ambassadors’ Chop Off… Shame on you… It would have been better to implement the law on schedule and review it in 6 months than to Grinch-like steal the people’s Christmas.

 

Stay Blessed TCI, it ain long now.

Jamell Robinson

 

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Health

Ministry of Health and Human Services Launched Electronic Patient Care Report (Ambpro)

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The Ministry of Health and Human Services proudly announces the successful launch of the Electronic Patient Care Report (ePCR), marking a historic milestone in emergency healthcare services. The official unveiling ceremony took place on March 12, 2024 at the Atrium conference room.

In attendance were distinguished dignitaries, including  Deputy Premier and Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development, Honourable Jamell Robinson; Minister of Health and Human Services, Honourable Shaun D. Malcolm; Minister of Tourism, Environment, Maritime, Culture, Heritage and Religious Affairs, Honourable Josephine Connolly; Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Library Services, Honourable Rachel Taylor; the Minister of Immigration and Border Services, Honourable Arlington Musgrove; and the Permanent Secretary of Health, Mrs Desiree Lewis, who recognized the significance of the ePCR system in promoting public health and safety. Their presence underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to investing in healthcare infrastructure and technological advancements to better serve the needs of the population. Thus reaffirming their support for initiatives aimed at improving emergency healthcare services and strengthening the National Emergency Medical Service’s capabilities.

During the launch event, the Minister of Health and Human Services highlighted the transformative impact of the ePCR system on patient care and emergency response efforts. Emphasizing the importance of innovation in healthcare, the Minister expressed gratitude to the dedicated team of professionals who contributed to the development and implementation of the ground breaking technology. The Deputy Premier praised the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders involved in the development and implementation of the ePCR system, affirming its potential to revolutionize emergency medical services especially the pre-hospital management of citizens and visitors across the country.

The Director of Emergency Medical Services, Mr. Andy Brijmohansingh, spoke passionately about the importance of embracing technology to advance patient care. “The introduction of the Electronic Patient Care Report marks a new chapter in our commitment to providing high-quality emergency medical services,” said Mr Brijmohansingh. “This innovative system empowers our teams with the tools they need to deliver swift and effective care, while ensuring that patient information is accurately captured and securely shared.”

The Electronic Patient Care Report (ePCR) represents a significant advancement in the National Ambulance Service’s mission to deliver efficient and high-quality emergency medical care to citizens across the nation. Developed with cutting-edge technology and meticulous attention to detail, the ePCR system streamlines the documentation process, enhances communication, and ensures the seamless transfer of patient information between emergency responders and healthcare facilities.

The launch of the Electronic Patient Care Report marks a new chapter in the evolution of emergency medical services, promising enhanced efficiency, accuracy, and patient outcomes. With its implementation, the National Emergency Medical Services reaffirms its dedication to providing timely and effective care to individuals in their time of need.

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Education

Ministry of Education launches 2024 Season of Scholarship Applications

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 6th March, 2024– The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Social Services would like to announce the launch of the 2024 scholarship application season which opens on March 11th 2024. This initiative offers invaluable opportunities for Turks and Caicos Islanders to apply for scholarship opportunities within the Ministry’s priority areas.  For more information on our priority areas please visit our website at https://gov.tc/scholarshipsecretariat

Estimated awards within each award category as follows: –

  • Standard Financial Assistance ………………………………………………….(55) including:

o    Cadet Financial Assistance …………………………………………………(2)

o    The TCI Hope Award …………………………………………………………..(2)

o    Intl. Associate’s Degree / A-Level awards ……………………… (3)

o    TCICC Academic Excellence Award …………………………………..(7-preselected)

  • Athletic Financial Assistance ……………………………………………………..(3)
  • National Scholars Awards ………………………………………………………….(4 -preselected)
  • Special Needs Students Financial Assistance Award ……………(2)
  • BWIC – GCE Advanced Level …………………………………………………….(3)

Explanatory notes in the link provided above outlines the criteria for each award category.

Our new application method

Our new application method for financial assistance marks a departure from traditional email or paper submissions; all applications must now be submitted exclusively through tcig-nefa.grantplatform.com/. Utilizing the Good Grants platform, an internationalized grant-making platform, applicants can easily apply online by clicking the provided link.

Dates

  • Application deadline: 30th May, 2024 at [11:59 pm] [EST]
  • Please note the application deadline, this date is final and there will be no extensions provided for the initial submission. The system will automatically prevent application submission after the deadline.
  • There is an extension date for the below documents IF NECESSARY up to June 30th.
    • Acceptance Letter
    • Transcript
  • Successful applicants will be notified in early August 2024.

Support

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact the Scholarship Secretariat Unit by email to [scholarshipsecretariat@tciedu.tc]. DO NOT SEND APPLICATION SUBMISSION TO THIS ADDRESS.

  • You may edit your application after submitting, up until the deadline date.
  • Please make sure all your personal details are entered accurately, including contact details, so that we may contact you if your application is successful.
  • You are allowed to submit to more than one category, as long as the work submitted meets the criteria. However you can only be awarded 1 award.
  • You can use the ‘copy’ feature to create a copy of your application and change the category as required.

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Education

Department of Special Education Needs Services makes strides at CEC 2024 convention and Expo

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The Department of Special Education Needs Services (SENS) has marked a significant milestone in its journey towards enhancing services for exceptional learners through its participation in the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) 2024 Convention and Expo, held in San Antonio, Texas March 12th to 16th 2024. This event, renowned for its dedication to advancing the field of special education, provided a platform for our team to immerse themselves in a wealth of knowledge and resources.

The convention, with a rich history of fostering collaboration and innovation, focused on sensitizing attendees to global initiatives in special education. Our team, consisting of four professionals from the Department of Special Education Needs Services; Mrs. Paulette Simmons – Special Education Teacher at SNAP Center, Jamiliyah Jordan – Speech and Language Pathologist, Christina Joseph – Behavioural Analyst, Lashaunda Skippings – Coordinator of Assessments and one representative from the Department of Education, Mrs. Faaida James – Special Education Officer benefited immensely from four days of information-packed workshops, networking opportunities, and exposure to cutting-edge assistive technologies and programs.

 CEC 2024 Convention and Expo has been a driving force in shaping the landscape of special education. Each year, it gathers professionals, researchers, and advocates to exchange ideas, share best practices, and explore innovative solutions to support individuals with exceptional needs.

 Lashaunda Skippings, Coordinator of Assessments, and a part of the team, shared her thoughts on the convention, stating, “ The CEC 2024 Convention exceeded my anticipations. It was incredibly enlightening and stimulated thoughtful reflection. I am grateful for the openness of presenters who shared their exemplary practices in Special Education, that address the needs of students with disabilities globally.”

Dr. Anya Malcolm, Director of Special Education Needs Services, expressed her excitement about the department’s progress, stating, “The thrill that fills the department and the parents as initiatives in Special Education Needs falls into place remarkably is tangible. We are dedicated to utilizing the knowledge and experiences gained from events like CEC 2024 to further enhance our services and support for exceptional learners.”

 Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports, and Social Services, expressed her commendation for the Department of Special Education Needs Services, stating, “I commend the Department of Special Education Needs Services for their unwavering dedication and proactive stance in participating in the CEC 2024 Convention and Expo. The Ministry acknowledges the pivotal role of such initiatives in elevating the standards of special education services and fostering the comprehensive development of exceptional learners nationwide.” 

 The Department of Special Education Needs Services remains committed to its mission of providing comprehensive and inclusive support to individuals with special needs. Through continuous learning, collaboration, and innovation, we strive to create a nurturing environment where every exceptional learner can thrive.

 For more information about the Department of Special Education Needs Services and its initiatives, please contact sens@gov.tc.

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