TCI News
TCI: Opposition Deputy Leader suggests virtual learning platforms ahead of COVID-19 school closures
#TurksandCaicosIslands – March 19,2020 — Come this Friday, 20th March 2020, all schools are to close until Monday, 20th April 2020. With the UK Government predicting that the COVID-19 Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak may not peak until 14 weeks from now (i.e. around the 22nd June) it is optimistic to believe that schools will remain closed for just one month.
Schools are being asked to finalize plans to continue the delivery of the curricula using the various means available to them, and to share their business continuity plans to the Ministry of Education by today, Wednesday, 18th March 2020. We are aware that this is easier said than done, and we sympathize with you. Schools, particularly the public schools, do not have the experience, training, tools, or IT systems and support, to be able to deliver courseware over the internet to the more than 7,000 students (based on the Turks & Caicos Islands Government Vital Statistics Report 2018) who are between the ages of 5-19, in such a short time. To successfully move classes online, schools will need at a minimum the following:
1. A Virtual learning platform,
2. Teachers trained to deliver classes via the Virtual learning platform,
3. Students trained on the use of the Virtual learning platform, and
4. Each student to have access to either a PC, tablet, or smart phone with a reliable internet connection so they can access the Virtual learning platform.
Getting all these items in place to have virtual classes for the next 30 days is practically impossible. Even trying to do so over the next 3 months is a huge task. However, for those schools that are interested in trying, I highly recommend “Webex for School Teachers”. It’s a great platform and it’s free.
To ensure that this distance learning exercise go as smoothly as possible, we encourage all schools to ensure that before they close on Friday, they have contact information, particularly email addresses, for all students. For students who don’t currently have an email account, I highly recommend Gmail. It’s free.
In absence of structured classes, you students will be required to exhibit a level of self-discipline and self-management that many adults don’t possess. This is asking a lot from you, but it is necessary during this time. This period may feel like summer started early, but you must be discipline during this time and dedicate at least 5 – 6 hours per day to studying, especially those students who are part of the class of 2020. If your teachers are unable to give you a full day’s worth of class material, then I encourage you to use the spare time reading your textbooks, and for those math and science students, practice, practice, practice, those questions.
To the class of 2020, the cancelation of classes could not have happened at a worse time for you. You’re getting ready for final exams, in a little more than 3 months you’re graduating, and in September, you’re starting a new chapter of your life. I know you feel that all of this is unfair, and it is. However, all is not lost. Remember, that God will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, and when you are tempted, he will provide a way out so that you can endure it.
The next month, and maybe even the next three months, you will be tempted by everything but your schoolwork, but you must ignore the temptations. If your school doesn’t have access to a Virtual learning platform, then utilize existing social media and communications platforms – like Facebook and Whatsapp – to study together in groups. Make sure that everyone in your class participates. With everyone reaching for the same goal, it will encourage each person to give their all. Having study groups will make it easier for persons to work through problems effectively, and most importantly, it will encourage the sharing of knowledge. Make sure that no one is left behind.
“Problems can become opportunities when the right people come together”, and Class of 2020, God has chosen you for this challenge. I know that you will make it through it, and you will make the entire country proud. We stand by you, and we will be here for you.
I pray that God continue to bless and strengthen you to overcome the challenges ahead.
PRESS RELEASE
#TurksandCaicos, June 9, 2023 – The male victim shot dead on June 07th, while seated in a parked vehicle has been identified as 25-year-old Karo Outten.
Outten, whose last known address was Five Cays, Providenciales, was shot multiple times in a vehicle, at a Tire Shop
along South Dock Road.
Commissioner of Police (ag) Rodney Adams in condemning the midday brazen killing said: “The South Dock community and its environs are reeling from the destructive actions of a few criminal elements desirous of continuing along the path of lawlessness. This incident occurred on the premises of a business place during which time, persons were conducting transactions and going about their errands in surrounding areas. The RTCIPF will not dodge our responsibility and wishes to assure the public that our Serious Crime Unit is actively pursuing all leads in a bid to arrest and charge the perpetrators. At the same time, the RTCIPF will ensure there is a sense of calm and security within the public domain”.
The RTCIPF can confirm this is the fifth murder of the year (June 08th).
Persons with information on this murder can communicate directly through any police station or call 911.
Release: RTCIPF
#TurksandCaicos, June 9, 2023 – FIVE Restaurants and Bars in Providenciales were yesterday evening (June 07th) served with Closure Notices after public health officials swooped down on their premises and found expired items used in the preparation of food.
Additionally, nine persons were apprehended and taken to the Detention Center for processing, and a number of prohibited items were confiscated.
At 6:40 p.m.the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force in collaboration with the Immigration Enforcement Unit, Customs Department, Environmental Health Department, and the Revenue Control Unit, arrived at a Liquor License premises along the Millennium Highway.
While at this location, it was observed that several persons were working Contrary to their Work Permits. A warning was issued, and two individuals – male and female were apprehended.
The Officers also conducted a search at a bar located in Kew Town behind the Ball Park.
A total of seven individuals (four males and three females) were apprehended and taken to the Detention Center for Processing. At this location, a number of prohibited items were seized.
Overall, several restaurants and cafeterias were served notices to close for failure to comply with health regulations. A number of items used for cooking and mixing alcoholic drinks were seized:
The items included:
- Expired/dented: Carnation evaporated milk – 63 cans
- Expired: Bluebird orange juice – 10 bottles
- 60 lbs. of raw and cooked meat (chicken and pork) – held at improper temperatures
- 20 lbs. of raw meat (fish, beef, and pork) – held at improper temperatures
The Environmental Health Department Closure Notice Ordinance states:
Failure to comply with this closure notice may result in one or more of the following as outlined in the Food & Drug Ordinance 2016, Part III (Sections 31 & 32).
A person who commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $10,000 (ten thousand dollars) or to a term of imprisonment for 12 (twelve) months or both.
If a person is convicted of an offence under this ordinance the court may on conviction, and on an application by or on behalf of the Chief Environmental Health Officer (Director) order that any license the person holds to operate such a business be suspended for a period specified in the order, or revoked.
These collaborative activities form part of “Operation Pursuit”.
Operation Pursuit involves a Multi-Agency operational framework, designed to locate, identify, and process persons engaged in ALL illegal activities within the TCI. These operations entail a collaborative effort from all our essential partners at the re-established Turks Caicos Islands Joint Law Enforcement Group (J-LEG).
Release: RTCIPF
Rashaed Esson
Staff Writer
#USA, June 5, 2023 – Kamala Harris, United States Vice President will journey to Nassau Bahamas in June for a
top level meeting with Caribbean leaders, marking the first time she will visit the region since occupying office in 2021.
According to the White House in a statement, the meeting will bring attention to a range of regional issues. Harris and the Caribbean leaders will continue talks on the shared efforts to address the climate crisis, such as promoting climate resilience and adaptation in the region and increasing energy security through clean energy.
Additionally, the statement informed that Harris’ trip “delivers on the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to advance cooperation with the Caribbean in pursuit of shared prosperity and security, and in recognition of the common bonds and interests between our nations.”
The June 8th meeting builds on and strengthens the U.S.-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030, which was launched by the Vice President and Caribbean leaders in Los Angeles at the Summit of the Americas as further mentioned by White House Statement.
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