TCI News
TCI: Dear Teachers, ‘You make it possible’ says Education Minister
#Providenciales, March 10, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – An event-full Education Week is concluded and in reflection, the Education Minister surmised that none of the successes of the week could have happened without the nation’s teachers.
“Through your commitment to helping our children learn you have shaped minds and influenced attitudes for a lifetime and when we think about it, you have actually also impacted a generation yet unborn; on behalf of the Government and the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands – Thank you for the work you do,” said Minister Karen Malcolm, in an audio message.
On every island and at every school there were individual festivities and Education Week events, which encouraged cultural expression, provided mentorship opportunities, challenged the minds of students, featured the nations of the world and provided speaking and worship experiences, in appreciation of the value and role a good education plays in the lives of every learner.
The Minister expressed that the efforts at schools, within islands and nationally did not go unnoticed.
“I thank you for your determination to help our sons and daughters realise the purpose for which they are here and acquire skills and competencies needed for full participation in the country’s economic growth and social advancement.”
The Minister gave assurance that the advancements are not just for the younger learners.
“Our Ministry continues to provide avenues for training our school leaders, department heads, form teachers, special education teachers, general education teachers, subject specialists and guidance counsellors. Our aim is to ensure that teachers are equipped to provide innovated and experimental learning experiences to enable our children to be successful.”
Scholarships have been awarded to teachers for upgrade to graduate teacher status, and existing teachers have been given opportunity to expand their knowledge and skill in areas of priority, said Minister Malcolm.
“We embarked on a mission to restore classrooms and school spaces conducive to learning and creativity and I am delighted that at some schools this has been achieved.”
The Minister said she is committed to getting the requested tools to teachers and informed that work continues for enhancement to physical structures of public schools.
“We have been the beneficiaries of ICT supplies and training in the use of information communication technologies as tools for teaching and learning. Our work on introducing teaching standards and the implementation of an induction and coaching program and the provision of instructional resources coupled with the improved working environments will result in an overall improvement in working conditions for teachers.”
Friday March 8, 2019 was commemorated as Teachers Appreciation Day in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
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TCIG knew from April that fuel factor could surge almost 80%; Minister says $500 cost-of-living payment was part of Government’s response
PROVIDENCIALES — The Turks and Caicos Government knew months before July’s shocking electricity bills that consumers faced a potentially massive increase in the fuel factor.
Minister of Information Technology and Energy E. Jay Saunders revealed Friday that Pelican Energy warned his Ministry in April that generation fuel costs were projected to rise from $3.09 per gallon in May to $4.79 in June and July.
That translated into a projected fuel factor jump from about 17.5 cents to 31 cents per kilowatt-hour — an increase of almost 80%.
Saunders said he personally advised Cabinet of the projected increase and presented options for cushioning the impact.
He characterised Government’s $500 cost-of-living payment as its “initial response” to rising fuel costs, before a separate fuel-factor subsidy was approved.
Cabinet records show Government agreed on June 24 to provide funding to mitigate the fuel-factor impact, with the relief programme approved July 8.
Eligible residential customers — those averaging less than $1,500 monthly over the previous three bills — are capped at 22 cents per kWh from July through October.
Pelican confirmed Friday that Government’s contribution was already applied to July bills, meaning the bills now triggering widespread public outrage would have been even higher without the subsidy.
Saunders did not disclose the programme’s total cost.
His admission that Government knew since April, however, raises another question amid the backlash: why were consumers not directly warned by Government about the scale of the approaching increase?
PROVIDENCIALES — New commercial Crown Land applications are facing a six-month pause as the Turks and Caicos Islands Government takes inventory of its holdings.
During Cabinet meetings held July 15 and 16, an immediate six-month moratorium was approved on the acceptance, processing
and approval of new applications for commercial Crown Land grants, leases and allocations.
The pause will remain in place pending completion of the Crown Land Inventory Review. Cabinet’s summary did not state what prompted the review or indicate whether availability of commercial Crown Land is a concern.
The two-day meeting also advanced major consumer legislation. Cabinet approved the National Fair Competition Policy 2026 and drafting instructions for a Fair Competition Ordinance, moving TCI toward stronger consumer protection and fair competition rules.
In Grand Turk, Cabinet approved rezoning land in the North West Suburbs from low-density to medium-density residential use to facilitate a new apartment development.
Cabinet also advanced fisheries reforms, water legislation allowing private and public-private investment, minerals legislation and appointments across tourism, health and finance.
Progress toward establishing a TCI Credit Union was also noted.
PROVIDENCIALES — Major development projects outside Providenciales received Cabinet attention on July 8, with Government approving agreements connected to the redevelopment of Dellis Cay and a resort development in North Caicos.
Cabinet approved a Development Agreement between the Turks and Caicos Islands Government, Desarrollos Hotelco DC Ltd. and
Desarrollos Hotelco Astoria Ltd. for the redevelopment of Dellis Cay.
The long-discussed private island development sits between Providenciales and North Caicos and its return to Cabinet signals another step toward redevelopment.
Cabinet also approved amendments to an agreement involving SPR LND Ltd. (Royal Reef) and TCIG Development Agreement for a resort/hotel development in North Caicos.
Other decisions included approval of the First Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2026 for onward transmission and the appointment of Cindy Ewing as Chair of the Invest TCI Board, effective August 1 for three years.
Cabinet also noted consultation outcomes concerning changes to business licensing, approved professional membership expenses for qualifying Telecommunications Commission staff and approved advice relating to the Interim Clinical and Estates Services PPP.
The July 8 meeting was chaired by Acting Governor Anya Williams.
Photo Credit: Royal Reef (Keith)
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