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.
Education
Special Education Needs Services (SENS) Department Hosts Successful Speech Camp in Grand Turk
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands 16th November 2024 – The Special Education Needs and Services (SENS) Department is proud to announce the successful completion of its Speech Camp, held in Grand Turk from Nov. 4th – 8th, 2024. This initiative aimed to provide targeted speech therapy support to children with communication challenges, equipping them with essential skills for personal and
academic success.
The camp, facilitated in collaboration with Therapy Abroad, offered group-based activities focusing on speech and language development. Children engaged in interactive sessions designed to improve articulation, comprehension, and social communication. The department also hosted a parent-training session aimed at providing parents with strategies to reinforce these skills at home, fostering ongoing progress beyond the sessions.
The Coordinator of Assessments, Mrs. Lashaunda Skippings, who oversaw all the logistics of the camp, emphasized its importance: “This Speech Camp was a carefully planned initiative aimed at addressing the growing demand for speech therapy in Grand Turk. The success of the camp reflects the dedication of our team and partners in providing quality services. We are grateful to the parents and children for their active participation and look forward to building on this momentum in future programs.”
The Minister of Education, Youth, Sports, and Culture, Hon. Rachel M. Taylor, expressed pride in the department’s ongoing efforts “The
government is committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of ability, has access to the resources they need to thrive. The Speech Camp in Grand Turk is a testament to our continued investment in the well-being and development of all our children. I commend the SENS Department and its partners for their outstanding work in continuing to bring this initiative to life.”
As part of its commitment to expanding services to meet the growing needs of the community, the SENS Department will welcome two speech therapy interns in January. They will serve Grand Turk and South Caicos on six-month rotations, further enhancing accessibility to critical interventions in these communities. The Director of SENS, Dr. Anya Malcolm-Gibbs, highlighted the department’s broader mission: “This Speech Camp is just one of several targeted initiatives we will run several times per year. From behavioral intervention to
neurodevelopmental assessments, our camps are designed to address the specific needs of our children and provide families with tools to support them. We are proud of the impact these programs have and remain committed to expanding our services across the islands.”
The SENS Department encourages all parents to register their children with the department. Registration ensures that your child can be included in future camps, therapy, and assessment initiatives, providing them with vital opportunities for growth and development. For more information, please contact sens@gov.tc and follow our social media pages @sens_tci.
Education
Achievement Unlocked: Six members of the Statistical Authority earn Graduate Degrees in Development Statistics
PRESS RELEASE
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR
AND HEAD OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 1st November 2024 – In a remarkable display of dedication and academic excellence, six members of the Statistical Authority (Formerly the Statistics Department) have successfully graduated with Masters Degrees in Development (MSc) Statistics from the University of the West Indies. Notably, this impressive cohort includes the Director, Mr. Shirlen
Forbes, and the two Deputy Directors, Miss Sabrina Williams and Miss Wendera Seymour, along with Miss Alex Bennett – Senior Statistician, Mrs. Kia Swann – Statistician and Miss Cierra Garland – Statistician, underscoring the authority’s commitment to continuous professional growth and capacity building.
The MSc in Development Statistics program, which these graduates completed, is designed to train official statisticians. It equips students with the capacity to undertake quantitative analyses that inform social and economic decision-making initiatives, particularly in the realm of development policy. The program offers two areas of specialization: Social and Demographic Statistics and Survey Research.
The graduation ceremony was a proud moment, celebrating the hard work and determination of these individuals who are poised to make a significant and positive impact on development policies and practices in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service H. E. Anya Williams, who attended the graduation ceremony, congratulated the graduates, stating, “On Friday, October 25, 2024, joined by the Permanent Secretary of Finance Mrs. Athenee Harvey-Basden and newly appointed Chair of the Statistics Authority Pastor Bradley Handfield, I was proud to witness the commencement ceremony of our Statistics Authority graduates to celebrate the hard work and determination of these individuals who are poised to make a significant impact on development policies and practices in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Their achievement is a testament to their dedication, hard work, and resilience. Completing a Master’s program with a full-time job is no small feat. For that, I commend the entire cohort of graduates. I would especially like to recognize the leadership and dedication of Director Forbes, who has, throughout his career, including as an educator, always advocated for learning and for the higher development of the Turks and Caicos Islands. He has always made it a priority to mentor and empower his staff.”, added the H.E. Anya Williams.
“H.E. Anya Williams further explained, “This graduation represents much more than an individual achievement; it signifies a collective advancement for the Statistical Authority and our Public Service. As education and training are critical components of our success, I am pleased that the Office of the Deputy Governor was able to provide partial assistance to this important initiative. I encourage our recent graduates to continue striving for excellence as they take on new challenges in their careers and make meaningful contributions to society. We are extremely proud of you and look forward to cheering you on in your future successes!”
Meanwhile, Mr. Shirlen Forbes, Director of the Statistical Authority, expressed immense pride in his team upon their graduation. He stated, “I am incredibly proud of my colleagues who have demonstrated immense commitment, perseverance, and determination in achieving this significant milestone. Their hard work speaks volumes about the calibre of individuals we have within the authority. This accomplishment enhances their professional qualifications and elevates our capacity to provide accurate and insightful data that drives meaningful policy decisions and supports sustainable development in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Undoubtedly, they will utilize their enhanced skills—particularly in areas like Social and Demographic Statistics and Survey Research—to tackle the challenges ahead and contribute positively to our mission.”
The six graduates received funding from the Professional Development Fund through the Office of the Deputy Governor. This highlights the vital support provided to enhance professional growth within the Public Service.
We share in the pride of the graduates on this outstanding achievement! Your success is a testament to the strength and potential of our organization.
Education
Hon. Rachel M. Taylor, Minister of Education and Director of Education, Mr. Edgar Howell attending the 48th COHSOD Education Meeting in Trinidad and Tobago
PRESS RELEASE
FROM THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
YOUTH, SPORTS, AND CULTURE
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 25th October 2024 – The Hon. Rachel M. Taylor, Minister of Education, is representing the Turks and Caicos Islands at the 48th meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) focused on Education,
taking place on October 24-25, 2024, in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
The COHSOD Education Meeting brings together ministers of education, policy makers, and stakeholders from various Caribbean nations to discuss critical issues affecting education across the region. This year’s agenda includes enhancing educational frameworks, promoting inclusive education, and integrating technology into learning environments.
Minister Taylor is committed to advancing educational initiatives that align with the goals of equitable and quality education for all. During the meeting, she aims to discuss the Turks and Caicos Islands’ successful strategies and explore collaborative opportunities with fellow ministers to address common challenges in education.
“I am cherishing the opportunity to engage with my counterparts and exchange ideas that will enable us to better serve our students,” said
Minister Taylor. “Together, we can create innovative solutions that will strengthen our educational systems across the Caribbean.”
The meeting provides an important platform for advocating policies that foster collaboration and implementation of effective educational practices. Updates from the meeting will be shared following the conclusion of the event. This meeting follows the Transforming Education Symposium held in Grand Cayman earlier this month.
For more information, please contact the Policy and Planning Unit in the Ministry of Education – (649)338-3134
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