Campaign on the TCI Education Sector Plan launched

#Providenciales, June 4, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – Substantial changes are in the works for the Turks and Caicos Islands Education Sector over the period 2018 -2022. Guided by key strategic goals, the TCI Ministry of Education, Youth, Culture, Social and Library Services is seeking to provide thirteen years of a rich formal educational experience for the country’s children through its Education Sector Plan.

Priorities of the plan include providing equitable access to quality learning opportunities; improving teachers’ professional development; improving curriculum and strategies for assessment; increasing access to quality early childhood development services; providing opportunities for all learners in technical and vocational education and training, TVET; and increasing provision for tertiary and continuing education.

“Our efforts will afford students including those with special needs access to quality education, resilient and safe learning spaces that will prepare them for the labour market and for lifelong learning,” said Minister of Education, Hon Karen Malcolm who is excited about the reform and the Strategic Imperatives.

In an effort to better acquaint the people of the Turks and Caicos with the Strategic Imperatives and to encourage their engagement with the education sector, a public education campaign is being launched by the Ministry of Education with the support of the European Union.

The public education campaign is being spearheaded by the Government of the Turks and Caicos with the support of the European Union. This includes informative Public Service Announcements on radio and television; social media posts featuring news articles, captivating graphics and videos and interesting photographs.  These awareness efforts are bolstered by events for engagement of Education Officials with Community Stakeholders in Education, students from the primary to the tertiary level of learning and the TCI Media core.   

According to Education Director, Edgar Howell, the plan provides a road map that will ensure creation of an enabling environment for successful learning. “In this case, our reference to the learner is not restricted to the child or students. It envisions each stakeholder as a learner, and the environment and spaces in which we operate a daily basis, as the classroom, in its broadest sense. While the plan focuses primarily on formal learning and learning spaces, we are cognizant that learning is not confined to the formal learning spaces.”

Ambassador Malgorzata Wasilewska, the Head of the Delegation of the European Union said the EU was pleased to support the public education campaign as implementation of the government’s Education Sector Plan will contribute to strengthening the education system in the Turks and Caicos. 

“It is important for citizens to be informed about the plans that are in place to improve the education sector. It is by so doing that people will be encouraged to support actions that enhance learning and improve the quality of education,” Ambassador Wasilewska noted.

The Education Sector Plan 2018-2022 was announced to the general public in February 2018. The Education Sector Plan can be accessed on the TCI Government website at https://gov.tc/education/.

“Improving the Education System in the TCI…..Together we can do it”