News
Special Needs gets a Special Boost; 75% More Money
#TurksandCaicos, November 5, 2021 – Nearly doubling the previously earmarked $200k for Special Needs is expected to bring a radical boost to the sector which has struggled to provide vital services, support and a broader-based education to Special Needs people in the country. Special Needs spending will hit $350k for the 2021-2022 financial year.
A string of private sector led donations and firm chastisement by members of the Public have fast-tracked more adequate and immediate support for Special Needs people and families in the country. The government, recognizing the weariness of residents who are year after year disappointed by unfulfilled commitments to this sect of society went back to the drawing board and carved out an extra $150,000; it was announced as part of the Budget Supplementary presented in the House of Assembly at the close of October.
Both Ministers of Health under the nine-month-old Progressive National Party Administration (Hon E. Jay Saunders, now the Minister of Finance and Hon Jamell Robinson, new Minister of Health), joined by its Education Minister (Hon Rachel Taylor) have been vocal about the weakness of the special needs infrastructure in Turks and Caicos; all had vowed to fix it.
“The Treatment and Care Line Item within the Special Needs Unit Budget was originally $200K. It increased by $150K to a new total of $350K for this budget year. Future projects will see that line item increased to $500K annually. The overall Special Needs Unit budget this year is over $2 Million dollars,” informed Jamell Robinson, Minister of Health & Human Services for the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The allocation is commended, and with an annual commitment of half a million dollars, it seems Special Needs in the Turks and Caicos is nearing the end of the must for parents to send their children out of the country for specialized treatment or for them to uproot their entire families to other countries in order to access the specialists their special needs children require.
Angela Williams, is the founder and administrator at Ashley’s Learning Center in Provienciales, Turks and Caicos. Ms. Williams explained to us that her school welcomes the support earmarked to come from a Budget
Supplementary, which was on Tuesday (November 2) passed in parliament.
“First and foremost, this will lead to stability in staff and human resources. This will support parents in this difficult time,” said Williams, grateful at the news of an increase.
Ashley’s Learning Center recently benefited from a donation of a computer lab courtesy of Rubis and a retrofitted playground, courtesy of Graceway Supermarkets and Hon Sammy Been, Member of Parliament for the district where the school is located.
The increase to the Ministry of Health, now puts money where the mouth is when it comes to support to Special Needs children. The supplementary begins to level the playing field when it comes to the quality of education afforded to all children in the Turks and Caicos receive.
Jameka Williams, the Government’s appointed member to the House of Assembly in her contribution said that she is happy the government is listening to the cries of the people with a $150,000 allocation to assist with overseas care for children with acute disabilities and it will assist with bringing in specialists, she said.
Ashley’s Learning Center founder agrees, saying the financial resources will ensure there are timely visits by a behavioral therapist, speech and language therapist and it will help in developing other programs.
On Monday November 8, Rachel Taylor, the Minister of Education will make a significant announcement about Special Needs, including that November has been officially declared its focus month. Turks and Caicos will also witness the return of Jas Walkin, author and a Special Needs individual as Special Needs Director at the Turks and Caicos Islands Ministry of Education.
Meanwhile at Ashley’s Learning Centre, Angela Williams informs that support of her Centre means support for 33 children and counting. Her students range in age from five to 20-years-old and are keen on learning despite diagnoses of down syndrome, cerebral palsy, ADHD, being visually impaired and having learning disorders.
The Bahamas, August 27, 2026 – The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to inform members of the public that several individuals are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 27th August 2026, at 12:00 noon.
The individuals and charges are as follows:
An 18-year-old female is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
Three (3) counts of Murder
Three (3) counts of Attempted Murder
Three (3) counts of Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
Three (3) counts of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm
Two (2) counts of Possession of Ammunition
Armed Robbery
Abetment to Armed Robbery
Stealing
Receiving
The charges stem from three separate shooting incidents and an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 21st August 2026, and Saturday, 22nd August 2026.
The first shooting occurred in the area of Soldier Road and Baillou Hill Road, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old male.
The second shooting occurred in the area of Joe Farrington Road, resulting in the death of a 52-year-old male.
The third shooting occurred in the area of Gladstone Road, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old male.
The armed robbery occurred at a business establishment in the area of Carmichael Road and Baillou Hill Road.
A 21-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on one charge of:
- Murder
The charge stems from a shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, in the area of Samson Street, Nassau Village, which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old male.
A 32-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
- Murder
- Attempted Murder
These charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, 24th December 2025, in the area of Graham Drive, Yellow Elder, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old male.
RBPF, PACD
by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for
journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”
Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”
Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.
The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.
Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.
Saunders believes AI can help.
He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.
He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.
His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”
For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.
That last sentence is where I think we land the plane. It acknowledges that EJ actually has some us
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
