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TCI: EU tours and praises projects funded; Largest Education sector investor at $21 Million USD

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The $21 million dollar investment of the European Union into the public education sector of the Turks and Caicos Islands was to ensure access of more children to quality and diverse learning – a transformation – which was on display for the visiting Ambassador from the EU Delegation; in country June 20-23rd, 2021.

“We have come here today, to acknowledge the significant marker in the very constructive and fruitful partnership we’ve been building up over the years between the European Union and the Turks and Caicos Islands, lately in particular in the field of education,” said Her Excellency Marianne Van Steen, EU Delegation Ambassador in addressing an audience of school faculty and students, the project’s contractor and high level government officials. 

A site tour and plaque unveiling ceremony was held at the newly constructed Thelma Lightbourne Primary school in Long Bay, Providenciales.  The school opened following the 2021 Easter break when the new government relaxed restrictions.  It allowed children – across the country – to resume in person learning or to incorporate a hybrid approach after Covid-19 forced the dramatic closure of schools a year earlier.

For the past four years, the TCI Ministry of Education has been drawing from the EDF-11 Fund.  A fund initially granted for the Turks and Caicos Islands in 2013; earmarked to Education as a boost to build capacity in schools, which are often oversubscribed.  

“It is a very important day for me to see the result or at least one of the results, the European Union has wanted to do and to support here in the country,” the Ambassador added, “What has been done and what is in the making for the future, it is the Turks and Caicos Islands.  It is the former government, it is the current government, all the stakeholders, the teachers, the staff at the school and anyone involved in the education sector with our program; they’re the ones to be applauded.  What we did from the European Union side, was sign a cheque, giving support, accompanying a process which was really a process of the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

Today, the Thelma Lightbourne Primary School stands as a tangible symbol of European support of students in the British overseas territory. 

Originally from Belgium, Ambassador Her Excellency Marianne Van Steen, was appointed by the EU in September 2020 and is stationed at the EU Delegation office in Kingston Jamaica; H.E Van Steen, with 25-years diplomatic experience is the ambassador to Jamaica, Belize, The Bahamas, Cayman Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands. 

In her first ever visit to TCI, Ambassador Marianne Van Steen had high praises for the destination and high anticipation for the two-school tour which would also take her into the island of South Caicos.

“We will support what we think is important and that is indeed what we did and I am very happy to see that indeed we have done something good.”

The student of Thelma Lightbourne Primary delivered a profound poem, ‘Hey Black Child’ by award winning writer Useni Eugene Perkins.

Education Minister Rachel Taylor was moved by the piece and moved by the premises and acknowledged the work to get to completion.

“I want to take this opportunity right now to commend the former Minister of Education, the Hon Akierra Missick whose vision this was and to also give props to the former government, who actually caused this project to materialize.  And then again to our government for being here to unveil; so you see consistently must develop throughout and we all must give credit where credit is due.”

Also on hand was patron of the school, Mrs. Thelma Lightbourne, a 40-year educator; Hon. Akierra Missick, Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development; Hon Josephine Connolly, the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Heritage; Hon Kyle Knowles, Member of Parliament for Wheeland and the project’s contractor: JaMalco Ltd, owned by Jermaine Malcolm.

“We have become for the education sector, I think, the biggest donor with 17.52 million, that’s $20 or $21million USD.  It was not just because we were wanting to increase access to education for all children of the island(s) by constructing this school and refurbishing or renovating or improving other schools but in the Government’s sector reform program we also wanted to support the quality of the education by making sure the teachers are being trained and by making sure there is a better match between what the country needs in terms of labour and what the country can offer,” explained H.E. Van Steen.

Her Excellency commended Ministry of Education for now establishing a plan toward full activation of a Technical and Vocational institute. 

The ladies toured the school, approvingly.  The tour followed the plaque unveil, which in sophisticated black and gold is embedded in the wall of the school’s entry way.  He plaque reminds students now and into the future of the generosity and support of the European Union.

“I am very happy to see the school, I am very happy to hear that the access to about 200 to 300 students is now guaranteed,” said the Ambassador, who applauded the room made for Special needs children. 

“It looks state of the art, and I have no doubt it is.  It looks amazing.  I am particularly happy that indeed there are also special facilities foreseen for children with special needs and that is very much in line, with what I have heard is the motto of the relatively new, recently established government that actually says, we do not want to leave anyone behind.”

A similar service was held on the island of South Caicos at Iris Stubbs Primary school; also newly rebuilt thanks to EU funding. 

Iris Stubbs was devastated in the hurricanes of 2017; EU funding supported a completely fresh reconstruction which was completed in December 2019. 

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BORDER FORCE-LED OPERATION IN SOUTH CAICOS RESULTS IN ARREST  

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PRESS RELEASE 
 
FROM THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS BORDER FORCE

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 11th October 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force led a successful operation in South Caicos on 9th and 10th October 2024, targeting illegal work activity. The operation resulted in the apprehension of seven individuals, including two females and five males.

Four of the apprehended individuals are currently detained by Border Force for illegally working in the Turks and Caicos Islands. They are being processed and face potential legal consequences. The remaining three individuals are in the custody of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) following the discovery of cannabis during the operation prompted by indications from the Border Force canine unit. One of these individuals will also face charges for overstaying in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

This operation highlights Border Force’s strategy to combat immigration and customs offences throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands. The inland operations, including workplace enforcement, aim to address the root causes of illegal immigration by tackling illegal working. Border Force is committed to not only apprehending and deporting illegal immigrants but also prosecuting both undocumented workers and employers who facilitate illegal employment.

Emilio Seymour, Director General of Border Force stated “Our recent operation in South Caicos demonstrates our commitment to fulfilling our obligations to the Turks and Caicos Islands. We will continue to enforce our nation’s immigration and customs laws through inland operations throughout TCI. I am incredibly grateful to our officers for their dedication and hard work, as well as the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force for their invaluable assistance.”

Border Force is issuing a stern warning to businesses and individuals alike: Employing undocumented workers is an offence. Those found guilty face significant penalties, including fines up to $10,000 and imprisonment for up to two years. Additionally, undocumented workers themselves are subject to deportation upon conviction. Individuals who harbour illegal immigrants or facilitate their entry into the Turks and Caicos Islands face even stricter penalties, including fines of up to $20,000 and imprisonment for up to four years.

Residents are encouraged to report any suspicious activity related to illegal immigration to the following channels: TCIintel@gov.tc, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s tipline at 866-347-2423, or online at https://www.ice.gov/tipline.

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Caribbean News

PM INVITES INDIAN INVESTORS TO EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES IN JAMAICA

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KINGSTON, October 8 (JIS): Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has invited Indian investors to explore business opportunities in Jamaica.

He cited prospects for innovative business investment in tourism, infrastructure development, renewable energy, animation, medical tourism and health.

He noted that, with the island’s extensive harbour and port systems, “We are the gateway for Indian innovation in the Americas.  I think the time is right for a trade and business delegation from India to visit Jamaica. I mentioned this to Prime Minister [Shri Narendra] Modi and he welcomed the possibilities of such a trade delegation.”

The Prime Minister was addressing a dinner reception on Tuesday (October 1), during his working visit to India.

He said that his trip is intended to herald a new era of Jamaica-India friendship and partnership.

Dr. Holness said that Jamaica is looking forward to working with the Confederation of India Industry (CII) to explore areas of cooperation.

Of special interest, he noted, is working with Indian companies on joint research projects and technology transfer “to enhance Jamaica’s research and development landscape, particularly in the areas of biotechnology, as well as products and drug development, using Jamaica’s natural resources”.

“We also want to welcome Indian companies providing software development and maintenance, cybersecurity, back-office, finance and accounting services,” he added.

Based in New Delhi, CII is a non-governmental trade association and advocacy group that represents the interests of Indian businesses in various sectors, chiefly engineeringmanufacturing, consulting, and services.

The organisation works to create and sustain an environment conducive to the development of India.

 

CONTACT: SIMONE HYLTON

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Caribbean News

OLD HARBOUR HIGH SCHOOL RECEIVES BUS FROM JAPAN

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KINGSTON, October 8 (JIS): Some students at Old Harbour High School in St. Catherine, now have reliable transport after the institution received a 29-seater bus, donated by the Japanese Government.

The vehicle, valued at more than $11 million, will cater mostly to students who travel long distances, filling a gap for safe, reliable, and efficient transportation.

It will also be used to transport students on field trips, sporting events and other activities.

Speaking at the handover of the bus at the school on October 4, Minister of Education and Youth, Hon. Fayval Williams, lauded the Government of Japan for providing the funds through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security project (GGP), to purchase the bus.

Mrs. Williams said that special thanks must be given to the people of the donor country as “we continue to deepen the partnership with Japan”,  adding that the GGP project “has played a vital role in the development of our schools”.

Meanwhile, Ambassador of Japan to Jamaica, His Excellency Yasuhiro Atsumi said his country “stands together with Jamaica to strengthen the education system, so that all students can pursue their education and lifelong skills training opportunities”.

For her part, Custos of St. Catherine, Hon. Icylin M. Golding, who is also Chairman of the school, told her audience that the bus will enable the students to reach school much easier, and to “participate in more sporting events”.

Principal of the institution, Lynton Weir, said the students will reach school and return to their homes on time, with the acquisition of the bus.

He added that this will also result in reduced cost for parents who used to pay the public transport operators.

For Executive Director of the National Education Trust (NET), Latoya Harris Ghartey, getting the Japanese to fund the acquisition of the vehicle shows the strength of partnerships.

“It also stands as a testament to the deep-rooted commitment we have in providing our children with the tools they need to excel,” she said.

Student at the school, Ashanti Jones, said the “life-changing donation and invaluable gift will aid in students not missing classes due to unreliable transportation”.

Another student, Dormel Hamilton, said the students will have a safe and reliable vehicle in which to travel to school, and appealed to motorists to take care on the roads.

 

CONTACT: GARFIELD L. ANGUS

RELEASE: JIS

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