TCI News
Undecided procedures for TCI Education; COVID-19 Guidelines still in draft
#Providenciales, Turks and Caicos – August 12, 2020 — A mere 19 days before schools across the Turks and Caicos Islands reopen and the specific path to how teaching will happen in the new academic year in this COVID-19 era remains undecided.
“We have in the past weeks put together several documents which we will make available to you (and to other media houses); the documents were presented to cabinet and Cabinet gave us approval to go ahead and to do further consultations and that is the process we are in now; we will have that finalized by the end of this week and then we will know exactly the way forward,” said Karen Malcolm, Minister of Education.
The Minister, joined by Sharlene Robinson, Premier; Wesley Clerveaux, Permanent Secretary of Education and Edgar Howell, the Director of Education, today hosted a Media Q&A session at the Office of the Premier in Providenciales.
A set of press conferences did little to quell concerns about the method of return to the classroom, which remains undecided despite a national opening of schools announced for Monday, August 31.
Premier Sharlene Robinson said this is the usual time of year for Education to communicate on school reopening. Premier Robinson did not agree that the timing of the report was late.
“I think closer to school opening and when the situation is there…” she questioned, “…vocal in the summer months, just to say I am being vocal? Because the options are there, we knew what the options were going to be. But the consultation, the official consultation would have been lost months out. Would have been lost months out, that’s the truth and if we want to be honest, we would say that. So to consult in June for what will happen in September?”
The Premier continued that the pandemic itself presents a fluidity which makes concrete planning a challenge.
“You’re responding to something fluid. So today cabinet makes that decision, something drastic happens, we have to reverse that decision or we have to build on that decision. I know we are anxious, I am not going to at all dismiss it…. We (the Government) get the anxiety but I want us to be fair in our approach. I want us to be fair, because the options are limited, the options were discussed in March.”
Those options are online or education face-to-face.
The draft guidelines have suggested a combination of both learning styles.
Residents charge the Ministry of Education with wasting the five months of down time and are disappointed that a plan for classroom learning and campus life remains in limbo.
Education Minister Karen Malcolm said time was not lost; that work was being done behind the scenes.
“We have been working on protocols all during the summer. The Ministry of Education has put protocols in place as it relates to e-learning, as it relates to the opening of schools where by face to face or blending. Blending I n that some students are in school or some students are at home. But we want to ensure that the risk, we know that the risk is there and we want to do our best, as the Ministry of Education to ensure that our children are safe,” explained Minister Malcolm earlier today.
Schools, on Monday, received the 18-page draft ‘Guidelines and Protocols for Returning to Schools’ and are expected to log their feedback by Thursday (August 13).
Zoom Meetings are also planned for the private schools on Thursday.
#TurksandCaicos, May 30, 2023 – The Office of the Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Kezzia Hamilton to the post of Director of the Human Resource Management Directorate (HRMD) within the Office of the Deputy Governor.
A native of Grand Turk, Ms. Hamilton received her tertiary-level education and training from the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College. She obtained an Associate’s Degree in Business Studies and a Bachelor’s in Human Resource Management there.
Her career with the Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) began in 2000 as a Clerical Officer with the Public Works Department, and she later transitioned to the HRMD in 2013 as a Human Resource Officer. In 2019, after completing her second degree, Ms. Hamilton was appointed Senior Human Resource Officer, where she focused on
HR statistics, maintained various databases, and managed the documents required for payroll and employee contracts. Ms. Hamilton’s hard work and dedication resulted in her appointment as Deputy Director of HRMD in March of 2022 and her successful appointment as the Director of HRMD, effective 1 June 2023. She is pursuing a Master’s in Human Resource Management from Arden University.
Ms. Hamilton was the beneficiary of many training opportunities, including various trainings with the Caribbean Development Bank and attending the Society of Human Resource Management Conference in 2017.
Ms. Hamilton, in commenting on her appointment, stated:
I am beyond thankful to God for making all things possible and to those around me who’ve contributed to molding me into the professional I am today. As I embark on this new role as Director of Human Resources, I will continue to put my best foot forward in, not only contributing toward the goals of the Office of the Deputy Governor but the successful management of the Human Resource Management Directorate by upholding the standards of the Public Service at large.”
Acting Governor and Head of the Public Service, Her Excellency Anya Williams, in extending congratulatory remarks to Ms. Hamilton, stated:
“As Director, Ms. Hamilton is tasked with overseeing, coordinating, and leading the public service recruitment process. Ms. Hamilton will also play an integral role in establishing our e-jobs platform, the ongoing pay and grading review, and other priority objectives in the Office of the Deputy Governor.”
Caribbean News
Bridgette Newman appointed as Permanent Secretary in Ministry of Public Safety & Utilities
#TurksandCaicos, May 30, 2023 – The Office of Deputy Governor is pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs. Bridgette Newman to the post of Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Safety and Utilities, effective 1 June 2023.
Boasting a public service career spanning some twenty-eight-plus years, Mrs. Newman began teaching at the Ona Glinton Primary School in September 1992. Following a ten-year tenure in the classroom, she moved into the mainstream of Government, where she was appointed Chief Information Officer within the Ministry of Communications, Works and Utilities. Shortly after that, she served as the Under Secretary within that ministry before being transferred to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration and Labour. In 2011, Mrs. Newman was afforded the privilege of becoming the Cabinet Secretary and then Secretary to the Advisory Council during the Interim Administration.
Mrs. Newman stepped away from the service for two years. During that time, she completed a Master of Science Degree in Educational Leadership with merit from the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom.
Recognizing that there was much more to contribute to the public service and her country, Mrs. Newman rejoined the service in October 2015 as Head of the Secretariat within the Ministry of Home Affairs. She was promoted to
Deputy Permanent Secretary in January 2016 within the same ministry. Moreover, 2020 saw the transfer of Mrs. Newman to the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing, Planning and Development. It thus began what Mrs. Newman describes as her most productive, meaningful, and impactful assignment since rejoining the public service.
During her time with the ministry, now Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development (PPID), Mrs. Newman benefitted from several training programs with the Caribbean Development Bank, including Project Management and Public Policy Analysis. She also acted in the position of Permanent Secretary on numerous occasions. She had the opportunity to lead the team at a critical time, which would have been during the country’s preparation, impact, and recovery following the passage of Hurricane Fiona in September 2022.
When commenting on her appointment, Mrs. Newman stated:
I look forward to this new challenge as I continue my quest to make a difference in my country.
I pause to thank the Almighty, the head of my life, and then to say to my husband and son and my entire support system how grateful I am for their continuous love and support. I will continue to make you all proud.”
Acting Governor and Head of the Public Service, Her Excellency Anya Williams, in extending congratulatory remarks to Mrs. Newman, stated:
“As a part of our effort to improve productivity, efficiency, and, most importantly, delivery across the public service, a decision was taken during this year’s budgeting process to split the former Ministry of Home Affairs, Public Safety and Utilities (which had responsibility for 18 departments) into two ministries: (1) the Ministry of Home Affairs and Transportation and (2) the Ministry of Public Safety and Utilities. This decision resulted in the addition of a new Permanent Secretary post.”
#TurksandCaicos, May 30, 2023 – The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) have commenced traffic operations island wide, to ensure motorists are complying with the law.
On Friday 19th May, 2021, RTCIPF officers from the Traffic Enforcement and Operational Response Units and officials of the DMV, conducted road blocks from 5 p.m. along Leeward Highway in the vicinity of First Caribbean Roundabout, Providenciales.
Commenting on the on-going operations Superintendent Dwight Gardiner said: “The RTCIPF has undertaken a zero tolerance approach against traffic violators in a bid to ensure road safety for all. These operations, in partnership with our DMV colleagues will also involve raising awareness and sensitizing the public as it relates to the Road Traffic Ordinances. It is imperative that persons fully comply with road traffic regulations in order to avoid being fined. We encourage you to assist us in maintaining a safer roadway in the TCI through compliance.”
Traffic Data : May 19th , 2023 Traffic Stop/Vehicle Checks: 127
Number of tickets issued: 24
Number of Vehicles towed: 02
Number of persons warned of intended prosecution for driving motor vehicle without insurance: 02
The RTCIPF wishes to remind motorists that vehicle windows must have the following minimum levels of visible light transmittance:
Front windscreen: Above 50 per cent
Each front window; Driver and Passenger side windows: Above 50 per cent;
Rear Windows and Windscreen: Above 30 per cent.
If your vehicle’s tint does not meet these requirements, then under the Road Traffic Ordinance you commit a traffic violation and must pay the following:
TWO HUNDRED and FIFTY DOLLARS (250.00) PER WINDOW
The RTCIPF thanks you for your cooperation in advance.
Press Release: RTCIPF
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