Education
Tearful announcement as Dire Financial Straits to force Ashley’s Learning Center to shut
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, July 15, 2022 – Ashley’s Learning Centre has revealed the school is facing closure following the Government denial of the school’s request for financing; a massive blow to the special needs community in the Turks and Caicos.
Magnetic Media was told the veto comes from the highest level of government removing any chance for an appeal. Faced with the incredible potential of the institution and the irrefutable proof of what they have already accomplished, the fact that the government, millions of dollars in surplus, would refuse to fund them is confusing at best. The pain of the gathered parents, teachers and founder Angela Williams was palpable.
“Ashley’s Learning Centre is in dire financial straits— I’m sorry to be informing the community in this manner but I felt my back was against the wall” Williams said simply.
The school currently has seven people on staff, seventeen students full time; seventeen in the afternoon; twelve on a waiting list and provides care which is very difficult for islanders to find elsewhere in country.
Ideally, said Williams, the school operating fully would need $432,000 per year to stay open and serve 40 students. At this time, the number of students who pay a school fee fluctuates between 60 and 40 percent of the registrants.
In a Thursday July 7, 2022 press conference, Angela Williams in a room populated by parents and members of the media, said it was revealed that the government did not disagree that there was a need nor did they disagree on the magnitude of that need so the reason for holding back finances remains up in the air.
The government had promised the centre $150,000 but that figure dropped to less than half the sum, and the reason?
“After all the back and forth, some of what was asked was not in the best interest of the children,” Williams said.
The government wanted Ashley’s Learning Center to take on all of the students she served in the days and evenings, full time within four weeks which she said, under advisement from specialists, it was explained that this would have
compromised the integrity of the program. Three successive Governments had been privy to the plight of Ashley’s Learning Centre which is a non-profit school and so far no change.
Additionally she said there had also been inexplicable, almost “personal”, pushback from unnamed government officials.
“Each time I’ve brought specialists into the country I always do a courtesy call to the ministries responsible and for seven years there are persons who have always sat in those meetings and objected to every proposal that international doctors and consultants put forward. It’s always at that level that we’ve heard ‘were not interested’, ’we won’t support this’ so I know it is personal.’”
There were repeated instances of this, once a doctor with forty-years’ experience in the field who was interested in piloting a program in all government schools and bringing a team with him was turned away, a missed opportunity for the children.
Even worse, finances have run out just as the school had signed a partnership with Harvard University which would have seen interns and doctors coming to the TCI in a 5-year program to make sure students were diagnosed and assessed properly as they grew. Without stable finances to actually keep the school open for five years that incredible deal will fall through.
“My final appeal not only to the government, to even the public, is for Ashley’s Learning Centre to continue even if just to pay teachers’ salaries that we need some sort of financial help,” Williams said.
A sorrowful plea was announced, for people not to see her when they thought of the school, instead to consider the students who need care and cultivation which was missing on the local scene.
The Ministry of Education claims statements made by Williams were misleading and said the door remains open to the current funding, the additional funding and a continued partnership. None of the sides have been in communication however on whether or not this relationship is salvageable.
“If we can’t continue I don’t know what’s next for any of the children. I’ve spent two weeks thinking about that,” Williams said as she held back tears.
“I hope I didn’t fail them. I hope I didn’t fail the parents, I hope I didn’t fail Turks and Caicos.”
Her press conference ended in a sense of bewilderment for those attending. A parent offering a bear hug to the crushed founder of ALC, emotions running high and tears eventually allowed to flow freely.
Office of University Relations
22nd April 2024
Eleuthera, THE BAHAMAS – A pioneering cohort of 43 Eleuthera residents graduated from the University of The Bahamas’ (UB’s) free Leading Light Programme, sponsored by Disney Cruise Line (DCL) on Friday 19th April, 2024.
The programme, launched in February 2024 and delivered through UB’s Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning (CeLEARN), offers a series of courses to ensure Eleuthera has a proficient workforce capable of delivering unparalleled hospitality leadership as the island experiences a sharp growth in tourism arrivals. The graduation ceremony was held at the Eleuthera Chamber of Commerce Business Hub in Rock Sound, Eleuthera.
The courses focused on tourism and hospitality skills, leadership development and effective communication. They were taught by UB faculty and included guest lecturers such as former Director General of Tourism, Minister of Tourism and Secretary General of the Caribbean Tourism Organization Vincent Vanderpool Wallace and veteran hospitality professor Dr. Lincoln Marshall.
“This programme represents the mission-driven collaboration and skills-building that University of The Bahamas is committed to fostering, supported by an important industry partner like Disney Cruise Line,” noted UB President (Acting) Janyne Hodder. “Given the importance of the tourism industry to our nation, we know how vital it is that we continually equip our workforce with diverse expertise to uphold our reputation for excellence in hospitality. We are grateful for this collaboration with Disney Cruise Line which has facilitated programme delivery in Eleuthera, enabling UB to broaden access to much sought-after professional development.”
As training and skills development programming grows across the island of Eleuthera, the Leading Light Programme experience was tailored to be free of charge, accessible and conclude with participants earning a UB certification that signals the high standard of education for which the University is recognized. Students came from all walks of life and traveled from as far away as Hatchet Bay in the North, and Bannerman Town in the South to Rock Sound for classes. Programme participants also received a stipend to defray the cost of commuting and other personal expenses.
Nora Smith, a manager at the picturesque Jack’s Bay Club, yearned to increase her skills.
“I would recommend this programme to anyone because The Bahamas is known as a tourism destination. Taking this course in tourism and hospitality, can help me to go far in dealing with tourists daily in my workplace,” she said.
Graduate Javonne Richards appreciated the comprehensive curriculum and the ease of access to the courses that were offered.
“This programme not only fills a gap in our Eleuthera education offerings, but also equips participants with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in dynamic work environments,” he noted.
Director General of Tourism Mrs. Latia Duncombe, who delivered the keynote address at the graduation ceremony, shared three essential qualities for successful tourism professionals: energy, creativity and a welcoming personality.
“Your fresh perspectives and innovative ideas are invaluable to creating unique, unforgettable customer experiences,” said Mrs. Duncombe. “While technology such as Artificial Intelligence, also have a role to play, human interaction remains essential.”
Minister of Works and Family Island Affairs and Member of Parliament for Central and South Eleuthera the Honourable Clay Sweeting commended the partnership that is supporting community growth.
“I am proud of every Eleutheran who came from near and far to take advantage of this opportunity,” said Minister Sweeting. “As Eleuthera’s economy continues to grow, especially in Central and South Eleuthera, I encourage more corporate partners to invest in the local community in innovative ways, like the University of The Bahamas and Disney Cruise Line have, so that we can continue to strengthen our local communities.”
Two additional cohorts will be offered this year, increasing the pipeline of Eleutherans who are optimally skilled as hospitality and tourism ambassadors. Registration for the summer programme will open on May 17 and the second cycle of courses begins June 17, 2024. Fall programme dates are September 23 through November 29, 2024. To learn more about the Leading Light Programme and how to enroll, please email atynes@eleutherahambercommerce.com.
KINGSTON, April 24 (JIS):
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has declared Jamaica a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) island with a vision of fostering innovation, driving economic growth, and empowering citizens to thrive in the global knowledge economy.
“Through our collaborative all-hands-on-deck approach, Government, private sector, academia and civil society, we will work towards this goal. Jamaica is now officially declared a STEM island,” he said.
Prime Minister Holness was addressing the Future Ready International Conference held at the University of Technology (UTech) in Kingston on April 24.
As a STEM island, he said that the Government will seek to implement comprehensive education reforms from the primary to the tertiary levels, with the objective of developing a skilled workforce, capable of competing in global markets.
He said that ecosystems will be developed to encourage startups, entrepreneurs, and innovators in the STEM disciplines to drive industry and economic growth, as well as to address social issues.
“We will encourage the growth of STEM industries such as biotechnology, information technology and advanced manufacturing. We will also leverage STEM to grow and monetise the musical, artistic, cultural and other natural talents of our people. We will leverage STEM solutions to address environmental challenges including climate change, renewable energy and sustainable agriculture,” the Prime Minister said.
“We will position Jamaica as a hub for STEM research, innovation, collaboration and other developments in the Caribbean and beyond,” he added.
The Prime Minister said that by embracing STEM as a national priority, Jamaica will unlock its full potential driving prosperity, peace and productivity in a sustainable, equitable way for all our Jamaican citizens and, indeed, the world,” Holness said.
CONTACT: ROCHELLE WILLIAMS
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