TCI News
TCI: Hon. Karen Malcolm attends UWI/DISES International Conference Montego Bay, Jamaica
#Providenciales, July 12, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – Hon. Karen Malcolm, Minister for Education, Youth, Culture, Social and Library Services attended the DISES International Conference which was held in Montego Bay, Jamaica from June 26-28 2019, under the theme “Inclusion for All in a Changing World”.
Hon. Malcolm said the conference was an enlightening experience that provided her delegation, which included Mr. Jas Walkin, Education Officer for Special Needs, Ms. Betty-Ann Been, Director of the Special Needs Unit, Ministry of Health, Mr. Simon Wiltshire, Director of Health Policy and Planning, Ms. Sriya Smalling, Educational Psychologist and Mrs. Tracey Outten, Scholarship Manager, with a wealth of knowledge that can assist in developing and improving the area of special needs within the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The Minister stated; “It was indeed a privilege to be a part of this conference, my team and I have gain great insight into the practices and policies adopted both regionally and internationally in the area of Special Needs Education and we hope to use this knowledge to enact practices and policies to assist persons within our society with special needs. Once, the Ministry identify the children with disabilities and put the provisions in place to deal with their needs, socially and otherwise, then the issue of inclusiveness will be less challenging.”
While in Jamaica, attendees were able to take part in daily sessions that discussed for three days the rights of persons with disabilities, current practices and policies that exist for special needs inclusion both at a regionally and internationally level.
Attendees met the President of Division of International Special Education & Services (DISES) Mark C. Francis and other DISES representatives. DISES is an organization that shares its work around the world to fight for the rights of persons with disabilities.
Highlights of the conference included;
The conference’s opening ceremony was chaired by Hixwell Douglas (PhD) a person described as a professional motivational speaker, educator, counselor, storyteller and toast master for all occasions. Like his friend Senator Morris who was guest speaker at the conference, he is also visually impaired and was diagnosed from an early age.
Greetings were brought by Her Excellency, The Most Honourable Lady Allen, wife of the Governor General of Jamaica. The keynote address was done by Senator Floyd Morris (PhD), Director for the University of the West Indies Disability Studies. Senator Floyd Morris was the first blind person to be appointed to the Senate of Jamaica in 1998 and was the keynote speaker at the National Symposium for Individuals with Special Needs held in Turks & Caicos last year November.
The delegation from the Turks & Caicos Islands were invited to a special “sit-down” with a member of Jamaica’s media where they discussed the milestones reached and challenges in the area of Special Needs in the country. Additionally, Hon. Malcolm and her colleagues were able to share Turks and Caicos Islands Government current initiatives in the area of special needs as well as future plans at a special “update on the region” roundtable discussion.
TCI Delegation noted; The CEC-DISES connect provides a valuable resource for the Departments of Education, Social Services and Health as they organize themselves to work together to advance the well-being, education, and productive development of persons with disabilities. Our interactions with the varied disciplines represented at the Conference was beneficial in that it helped to affirm the progress we have made so far as well as highlight the distance we still need to go. A great deal will depend on defining and refining the departmental/interdisciplinary roles in this process inclusive of strengthening the legislative and policy framework, and advancing the provisions for special needs education.
Some of the topics covered during the three-day conference were:
· Developing a Road Map towards an Inclusive Society
· Evaluating and Implementing effective programs and services for students with Disabilities
· Using the Law to keep students with disabilities in school
· Training Staff to support inclusion
· What special accommodations exists for the children with disabilities in public schools?
· Refining Inclusion: Policies Guiding Inclusion in a Special School
· Measuring Indicators of Inclusive Education in the Caribbean: A Systematic Review
· Preparing Special Education Teachers to Communicate Globally about Disabilities
In addition to Turks and Caicos Islands, there were representations from 9 other nations. However, the Turks & Caicos Islands delegation was highlighted throughout the conference because we were third largest delegation and the only one to have a ranking Cabinet Minister in attendance. At the end of the conference all attendees stated they were pleased with the contacts they had made and hope to share the knowledge they had gain within their countries.
Release: TCIG
Photo Captions:
Header: L to R in back row – Tracey Outten, Bettyann Been, Hon. Karen Malcolm, Jas Walkin & Simon Wiltshire along with St. Christopher School for the Deaf Dance Group
Insert: L to R – Jasmin Walkin, Bettyann Been, Hon. Karen Malcolm, Dr. Alice Farling, Mr. Mark Francis, Tracey Outten and Simon Wiltshire
Turks and Caicos, October 28, 2025 – We are closely monitoring the impact of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica, and our thoughts and prayers are with our regional neighbours for their safety and well-being
We are now entering a critical period as Hurricane Melissa advances towards the Turks and Caicos Islands. Current projections indicate that Hurricane Melissa will begin to impact the Turks and Caicos Islands around midday tomorrow, Wednesday, 29th October.
This morning, Her Excellency the Governor and the Hon. Premier chaired a State of Preparedness Meeting. All Government agencies and critical services are mobilised. The safety and protection of every person across our Islands remains our highest priority. Our emergency response teams are prepared and the TCI Regiment is deployed across each of our Islands to support community readiness and immediate response. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are on active duty, with additional officers in North Caicos, Salt Cay, South Caicos and Grand Turk.
At this time, the hurricane is moving north-northeast. The country is expected to experience tropical storm conditions, heavy rainfall and
significant storm surge. The storm surge poses a serious concern for low-lying coastal areas especially along our western and southern coastlines, which may result in coastal flooding. Based on the most current weather projections and anticipated impacts for the Turks and Caicos Islands, the National Executive have agreed the following actions:
1. Evacuation Advisories
Residents in specific low-lying and flood-prone coastal areas are likely to experience significant storm surge of 2-4 feet with accompanying rainfall. Strong advice is now place for residents in these areas to relocate to designated shelters which will be open from 4pm this afternoon. These areas include:
Middle Caicos
- Conch Bar Nearest Shelter: The Community Centre
North Caicos
- Sandy Point Nearest Shelter : Sandy Point Community Centre
- Whitby Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
- Bottle Creek Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
Providenciales
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- Chalk Sound Nearest Shelter Enid Capron Primary School
- Five Cays Nearest Shelter: Enid Capron Primary School
- Discovery Bay Nearest Shelter: All Saints Church, Leeward Highway
- Juba Sound Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
- Long Bay Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
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South Caicos
- Cockburn Harbour Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
- Old Airport Road Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
Should an evacuation order become necessary, it will be issued following the 6:00 PM Advisory this evening from the TCI National Weather Service.
2. Activation of Emergency Operations Centre
The National Emergency Operations Centre in Providenciales and all Islands Emergency Operations Centres will be activated at 4:00 PM today.
3. Shelters Access
Shelters across all Islands will open today at 4:00 PM to receive members of the public.
4. Shelter-in-Place
A Strong Shelter-in-Place Advisory is in place for all islands, commencing at 10:00 PM tonight. This will be in place until the all clear has been issued.
This means that from 10:00 PM tonight, all residents should be off the road, in a safe location, either at home or a designated shelter.
Please note that this position may be revised following the 6:00 PM Advisory from the TCI National Weather Service, depending on updated storm projections.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) has confirmed that all airports remain fully operational for today. They will advise the public about ongoing operations dependent on the weather impacts.
In times such as this, the role of commercial entities extends beyond business – it becomes a vital part of the community’s resilience. All retailers and service providers are urged to uphold their humanitarian responsibilities by maintaining fair pricing and ensuring essential goods and services remain accessible to all.
Residents and visitors are reminded to adhere strictly to all official advisories and evacuation orders as they are issued. Avoid unnecessary movement, secure your property, and ensure that you and your family are prepared with essential supplies. Stay prepared and stay safe.
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.
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