Grand Turk, March 23, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – A UK parliamentary bipartisan committee has called on the Theresa May-led administration to set a date for all British Overseas Territories to legalize same sex marriages. It has also recommended the removing of belongership and its equivalents.
It says that these provisions are wrong and
they are calling for UK residents to have voting rights and for them to be
allowed to run for office in the Overseas Territories. The report also says
that, if it’s not adhered to, it should be imposed by Order in Council.
These recommendations by the FAC are
something that ought not be taken lightly. The proposed recommendations
if implemented, have the potential to negatively impact the
landscape of our country, morally, culturally, socially and politically, this includes
the people of Grand Turk North. It is because of my love of my constituency and
my love of my country I am compelled to speak about this matter.
Each country in the world is defined by
its uniqueness and their core values which set them apart from other
countries. In the Turks and Caicos we are no different. We are regarded as a
beautiful, friendly, upright, law abiding, Christian country; a country
where most persons fear god and subscribe to the teachings in the holy
bible.
The Turks and Caicos islands is one of the
most sought after destinations in the world by both those who seek to do good
and sadly, those who seek to do us wrong.
We must be able to recognize and acknowledge
one from the other and address them accordingly.
The FAC report is proposing among other
things the allowance of man marrying man and woman marrying woman. This
goes directly against our beliefs and it cuts us deep and should be
wholeheartedly rejected without hesitation. The report also recommends that
U.K. Citizens be allowed the right to vote in our elections and also run as
candidates and Premier of this country. Again, we must send a strong message as
this is not acceptable. We must stand strong and protect ourselves from any
invasion into our political structure by persons who do not share our concerns
and do not have any appreciation for our plight as a people.
The British regards us as a dependent
territory and for many years I’ve asked the question what is it that we depend
on the U.K for? needless to say, I have been unsuccessful in receiving a
sensible answer. I am not surprised by the boldness of the U.K. After all
they’ve gotten away with doing us so much wrong already. They have been allowed
to take advantage of us without any meaningful resistance; further, I am not
surprised by the fact that these are bi-partisan recommendations. What I
am surprised by is the unilateral response to the report by our Premier. I am
also surprised by the non response by the Leader of the Opposition.
I am of the view that a bi partisan report of
such magnitude with the potential to negatively disrupt our way our life;
interfering with those core principles that guide our day to day runnings
should at the very least be given a bipartisan response. A response that would
have captured the wishes of our total populace.
Such a damning report requires a response
that would have clearly outlined and reflect in no uncertain terms the true
wishes of our people. The response would have and should have been a country’s
response that we could have all been proud of and contented with. Furthermore,
it should have stated our country’s position. It should have been signed off by
both the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition, after all, it is
a national crisis.
Additionally, it should have established a
red line and it should have said to the U.K. If you cross this line, this
is what we will do; so there would be no surprises when they proceed with their
anti TCI agenda. They would know exactly what the expected consequences would
be.
I read the Premier’s response to the report
and I was disappointed because it was a very weak response and it gave the
impression that she either didn’t take the recommendations seriously or she
doesn’t understand what is being proposed and the reason why I’m saying
this is because in her response she said to the U.K.: ” no thank
you”. Madam Premier the FAC is not asking for your permission to implement
their plans but rather they are telling us what they are about to do and quite
frankly they do not need your permission; they can and will do it by order in
council whether we like it or not, the question becomes, what will we do?
Tell the people of the Turks and Caicos islands, what are your
intentions once the U.K. Implements their plans by order in council.
The U.K. has been taking over complete
control of the TCI for a very long time but they were doing it incrementally;
first they got rid of our constitution then they replaced it one that is
equivalent to toilet paper where they have all the powers whilst at the same
time allowing you to have elections providing you with a locally elected
powerless government. We turned a blind eye to it and carried on as though we
had powers to make decisions to advance our people’s agenda and because we went
along with the saga and made believe like we had power, the U.K. Is now
embolden and have decided to engage in what I would like to refer to as a
“hostile take over” caring less about who you are, what you want and
more about what they want. This latest attempt by the British presents a
defining moment for us in the Turks and Caicos islands because it provides us a
serious opportunity for some much needed self introspection. We now have a
clear look into the minds of our adversaries and the ball is in our court, we
can stick our head in the sand and act like ostriches and allow ourselves to be
overthrown or we can arise and do what God wants us to do.
God has given us a beautiful country with
smart able people, we have always managed our own affairs and there is
nothing stopping us from continuing to do so. We ought not have a spirit of
fear but one of soundness and optimism, however in our quest to pursue freedom
we must understand that every Turks Islander has a contribution to make
regardless his or her political affiliation. They must be respected and given
the opportunity to contribute to the growth and development of our country.
This means working with, promoting and creating opportunities for all our
citizens whether we like them or not. This is the only way we will be able to
transition from a country to a nation. Our Sovereignty awaits us but it
requires political maturity and sound leadership.
My fellow citizens, we are at a crossroad. We
have an opportunity to make a choice; a simple choice, a choice between good or
evil. We can allow the U.K. to have their way and impose their belief and
cultures on us or we can object it and chart a new course, a true path to real
Turks and Caicos citizenship. Should we allow the the will of the U.K. to prevail
we will find ourselves in an unfortunate predicament and we must not
allow ourselves to be continually disrespected, and dominated into
submission.
Our culture, values and biblical principles are worthy of retention and deserving of protection. My people wake up, speak up and fight back, do not accept it.
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.
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:
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.
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.