News
TCI: New Minister announces Return to School for All Students with New School Hours
#TurksandCaicos, March 17, 2021 – All Students of the Turks and Caicos Islands will go back to school in five days; March 22nd is when the new Education Minister said a grand scale simulation-styled exercise will take place ahead of Easter.
“Mr. Speaker, we will also use this opportunity before the Easter Break to get students readjusted to their classes. Also, teachers, school administrators and the Department of Education will have the opportunity to identify any potential issues and work diligently to resolve these kinks over the Easter break,” said Hon Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Culture, Social & Library Services.
Hon Rachel Taylor during House of Assembly yesterday delivered the anticipated news and says she expects schools will review the test run, make adjustments and be ready for all students to return to school after the two-week Easter holiday.
“All students will return to face to face learning! Some people are in awe! How will it happen? Mr. Speaker we are cognizant of the health protocols and the requirement for social distancing and we have taken into serious consideration all of these. All schools will be allowed to function up to 200 children in a blended approach of face-to-face and online learning,” said Minister Taylor to thumping support from her parliamentary colleagues.
Easter break said the Minister, who is a former primary school principal, will be used by officials to iron out any kinks in the system.
“In instances where students will be attending face-to-face classes, the following school operating hours will entail: In Primary Schools, 8:30 am to 2:30 pm; in secondary schools: 8:30am to 3pm. Mr. Speaker, this is needed in our country in order that our children maximize best use of face to face delivery.”
While the announcement is refreshing, even welcomed for thousands of residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands, there is some ambivalence, including parents who are concerned for their higher risk children with medical conditions which make acute symptoms if they were to contract the coronavirus likely.
To Magnetic Media, Educators wonder about logistics when it comes to classroom set up and news of regular testing for Covid-19.
There are others who say disappointments in the past give them pause before any revelations are made to their online-learing-wearied children; fearing a change in the current downward infection trend could force the Ministry of Education to rap-back the plan.
A change by the Ministry, at this point however, appears to be unlikely. The plan as pitched by Minister Taylor does not lend to reversal nor does it prescribe a cookie-cutter return to face to face learning.
“The school administrators would be permitted to use and adopt any strategy which suits them but I must emphasise at any one time, only 200 students would be permitted in face-to-face classes, while the remainder of the students will continue to join classes remotely and alternate from time to time.”
There are some blanket rules; no more than 200 students permitted on premises at a time and all other protocols including mask wearing, santiser stations, handwashing stations, physical distancing and log books are non-negotiable. The idea is a blended approach, which means some students in class, some students on virtual platforms in a remote learning style.
In her presentation, the Minister explained that it was long past due for there to be wider consideration of the impact on children of being out of the school setting for such an extended period.
“Sometimes we only concentrate on those students who are preparing for examinations when we forget those children in the lower cohorts; infant, grade one, grade two, grade three but we want to give them the opportunity and allow the administrators to determine what is best allowing students from all grades to have an opportunity to seek learning face to face.”
Turks and Caicos campuses first closed due to the threat of Covid-19 in March 2020 during the Easter Break. Some students have not been back in a classroom since.
Several false starts, namely in September 2020 and January 2021 have fostered doubt, but the Minister, who took office officially on February 22 said it is time for children to return and the decision is fueled by the desire of the People.
“These are exceptional times that have required all of us to take swift action and make drastic changes to our professional and personal lives to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.”
The presentation was made in the House of Assembly on Tuesday March 16, 2021 in the afternoon session.
Turks and Caicos, May 23, 2026 – Invest Turks and Caicos Islands took center stage at one of the region’s most influential hospitality
investment gatherings this spring, serving as a Platinum Sponsor at ALIS CALA 2026 in Coral Gables, Florida.
Held April 28 to 30 at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel, the conference brought together more than 600 tourism, hotel and investment leaders from over 35 countries focused on the future of hospitality investment in the Caribbean and Latin America.
ALIS CALA — short for the Americas Lodging Investment Summit Caribbean and Latin America — is widely regarded as the region’s premier deal-driven hospitality investment conference. The platform emerged from the merger of the long-running Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS) and Hotel Opportunities Latin America (HOLA), creating what organizers describe as a high-level space where investors, developers, lenders, hotel brands and government leaders connect around major regional projects and opportunities.
The event is known for attracting senior decision-makers, with roughly one in three delegates holding titles such as Chairman, CEO, President, Owner or Principal.
Invest Turks and Caicos said its participation focused heavily on showcasing investment opportunities across the territory, particularly in the Family Islands.
CEO Angela Musgrove delivered a presentation highlighting development opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands to what the agency
described as a full room of attendees and strong stakeholder interest.
In a statement following the conference, Invest Turks and Caicos said discussions centered on tourism expansion, sustainable development and long-term investment partnerships designed to position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a leading investment destination in the region.
The agency added that it looks forward to continuing conversations started at ALIS CALA and building new partnerships with investors, developers and strategic stakeholders interested in growth opportunities throughout the islands.
The conference itself focused heavily on capital access, hotel development pipelines, mixed-use tourism projects and investment confidence throughout the Caribbean basin — sectors where Turks and Caicos continues to attract increasing international attention.
The Rick Fox Political Timeline
“Are You Thinking About Politics?”
Fox publicly acknowledged growing calls for him to enter Bahamian politics, saying he had been hearing from women, youth, business owners and everyday Bahamians who were “ready for something different.”
October 19, 2025
“Then Jump, Man.”
Fox revealed a conversation with NBA legend Michael Jordan, who encouraged him to enter politics after asking whether he believed he could help young Bahamians.
November 24, 2025
“The Bahamas Must Be First”
Fox officially announced his intention to run in the 2026 General Election, promising transparency, affordability, opportunity and a modern Bahamian economy.
February 4, 2026
“Officially Picked”
The Free National Movement formally ratified Fox as its candidate for Garden Hills, instantly making him one of the most talked-about figures in the election cycle.
March 20, 2026
“From Courtside to Campaign Stage”
Fox mounted the national campaign stage for the first time at the FNM’s major campaign launch at Baha Mar Resort in Nassau.
March 30, 2026
“I’m Giving The Salary Back”
Fox announced he would not take a parliamentary salary if elected, saying the funds should instead go back into helping the people of
Garden Hills.
April 14, 2026
“Nomination Eve Goes Viral”
A heated confrontation involving Fox and PLP supporters outside the Parliamentary Registration Department exploded across social media after video captured the tense exchange.
April 16, 2026
“Pick Rick” Officially Launches
Nomination Day cemented Fox’s candidacy and formally launched the now-famous “Pick Rick” campaign branding.
April 19, 2026
“Vote and Win”
Jamiah Burrows won a vehicle through Fox’s civic participation challenge, part of a campaign effort encouraging voter engagement and turnout.
April 20, 2026
“The Wealthiest Candidate”
Financial disclosures revealed Fox as the wealthiest candidate in the 2026 election cycle, with reported assets exceeding $469 million, ending speculation about his financial standing.
April 25, 2026
“The Garden Hills Blueprint”
Fox unveiled detailed policy graphics outlining plans for:
- youth development,
- healthcare access,
- infrastructure upgrades,
- environmental restoration,
- entrepreneurship,
- and a proposed $10 million investment fund for Garden Hills.
May 4, 2026
“The Numbers Don’t Lie”
Fox’s campaign highlighted more than:
- 20 community clean-ups,
- 16 streets and locations served,
- and 13 solar lights installed across Garden Hills during the campaign.
May 6, 2026
“Shaq Steps In”
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal publicly endorsed Fox, helping elevate international attention surrounding the campaign.
May 8, 2026
“Buju Backs Rick”
Jamaican reggae icon Buju Banton threw his support behind Fox ahead of Election Day.
May 10, 2026
“Vanessa Williams Endorses”
Fox’s former wife, actress and singer Vanessa Williams publicly endorsed his campaign.
May 11, 2026
“Magic Joins the Campaign”
NBA icon Magic Johnson became the latest major celebrity to endorse Fox just one day before Bahamians went to the polls.
May 12, 2026
“Election Day”
Fox contested the Garden Hills constituency seat against PLP incumbent Mario Bowleg in one of the country’s most closely watched races.
May 13, 2026
“Grace in Defeat”
Fox publicly conceded the race and congratulated Bowleg on his victory in Garden Hills.
May 18, 2026
“We Pick Rick”
Despite losing at the polls, Fox officially entered Parliament after being appointed to the Senate by the FNM — with the party itself declaring:
“We Pick Rick.”
The appointment made Fox one of the most internationally recognized figures ever to serve in the Bahamian Senate.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in coordination with the Planning Department and key partner agencies, conducted a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, May 7, 2026, in the Lower Bight area in Providenciales. The exercise resulted in the complete removal of a total of eight (8) unauthorized structures and all associated debris from a
privately-owned parcel of land.
The operation was led by the Planning Department, with coordination by the ISU and support from the TCI Border Force, the Crown Land Unit, and Pelican Energy. Security for the exercise was provided by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. All agencies worked collaboratively to ensure the exercise was carried out in a safe, orderly, and controlled manner.
The enforcement action followed a structured and lawful process in accordance with the Physical Planning regulatory framework of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Section 45 Enforcement Notices were first issued on the affected parcel in December 2024, identifying unauthorized structures erected without the requisite approvals. This was followed by the issuance of Warning Notices on April 16, 2026, which advised occupants that they were in breach of planning and land use regulations and provided notice that demolition activities would proceed following the prescribed compliance period. Despite these notices and the time afforded for compliance, the unauthorized structures remained in place.
This exercise represents part of an ongoing commitment to ensuring that development within the Turks and Caicos Islands is lawful, safe, and aligned with national standards.
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