Education
Ministry fails, no school again for Grand Turk Special Needs children
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, September 16, 2022 – Special needs children in Grand Turk will not be starting the new school year with other students; once again the Government has failed to ensure educational opportunities for all children.
Parents of special needs students set to start at the Ona Glinton Primary school in Grand Turk were again disappointed when nearly a week after school was supposed to start, they were told a staff shortage means their children will not be able to be accommodated. It is a disturbing repeat of previous years and a heartbreaking reality as the Ministry of Education has failed to get the desperately needed program off the ground.
On July 8 this year during a press conference to address the special needs situation, Minister of Education Rachel Taylor said: “We are at a critical turning point in our country and our special-needs community will not be left behind, you are at the forefront of our plans and programs, my government and I will ensure that you have all you need to progress. No effort will be spared in ensuring that the needs, infrastructure and programs are in place to fill the gaps.”
Yet, on Sunday afternoon parents were advised by school officials of the vacancies and told they would be informed as soon as the staff need was filled. Only then would their children be able to enter school.
It leaves special needs children in limbo and parents and the community angered.
As neuro-typical students advance, their special needs children remain behind, not due to a lack of ability or compliance with the law which demands children over four years be registered in a school; but due to the inadequate response by successive governments. 
In the press conference, Minister Taylor had said that the ministry had hired more special-needs teachers to deal with the growing population.
“We have on boarded additional special-needs teachers across the Turks and Caicos Islands so they can deal with the challenges. But that doesn’t mean we don’t need that special needs school and as a ministry we will deliver on that promise.” she said.
We now know based on a more recent back to school press conference it will take at least three more months for that school to open and it will open in phases instead of at full capacity. We also learned as many as 15 teachers quit TCIG abruptly leaving a public education in a lurch.
And while the government is giving a big pitch on the establishment of that special needs centre, sustainability may be an issue as the initial class size will be tiny; an admission from the Education Director Edgar Howell.
“It is the government’s remit to make sure that services are provided for all of our children. This means plans are afoot to create a special needs center that all of our children whether diagnosed or not. We will start with a small group of students and then build out our capacity,” said Howell.
Permanent Secretary Wesley Clerveaux and Special Needs Officer Jas Walkin both admitted that the Ministry was aware prior to the press conference and prior to the summer that there were not enough teachers for all special-needs students on the island. Yet appropriate steps have still not been taken and notices have come so very late.
It leaves parents now scrambling to implement an alternate plan for their children, who are being left behind by their peers in the same age group.
One resident in an open letter stated, “It does not seem to be a real concern for the public servants who swore on the Bible to serve the Turks and Caicos Islands— A shortage of staff may have created a shortage of services in the school system but it is abundantly clear that special needs are surely not being given priority.”
There have been reports in Providenciales as well of children being turned away from public schools having to enter the private system to give their children a chance at an education.
Every year the inability to register hundreds of students, complete refurbishment of schools and fill teacher gaps rears its ugly head. Residents express outrage as millions of dollars in surplus is celebrated while basic constitutional rights are sidelined and underserved.
MONTEGO BAY, September 5. 2024 – Schools across Trelawny saw a large turnout of students ready to embrace the new academic year, despite ongoing repairs to some institutions that were damaged by Hurricane Beryl.
Schools across the country have been divided into three priorities by the Ministry of Education and Youth, in an effort to facilitate timely restoration.
Priority One schools, which are the most severely damaged, must be fully repaired and ready before the school year starts. Priority Two and Three schools can continue to be repaired while classes are in session.
In an interview with JIS News on Monday (September 2), Provisional Principal, Unity Primary and Infant school in Bunkers Hill, Marilyn Salmon, said despite damage to the school’s infrastructure, contingency plans put in place have proven effective.
“As you may see, our roof has been lifted… . Unfortunately, it could not be done within the allotted time based on the level of work that needs to be done,” she said.
“But we have in place a contingency plan, which you might see taking place here now. We have our grade-one students being housed
in a different compartment that is not really the grade-one room, and so forth,” she added.
Ms. Salmon explained that as part of the contingency plan, the school has strategically combined classes where necessary and that teachers have been utilising outdoor spaces creatively to continue lessons.
“And teachers have had classes underneath trees since morning, and of course, the students are loving it,” she said.
Ms. Salmon also noted that while the school’s canteen is currently non-operational, alternative food options have been arranged for the students.
“We also have some electrical concerns, and those are under repairs also,” the Principal said.
For his part, Principal at Falmouth All-Age, Kirk Spencer, said the infrastructure at his institution also suffered damage, adding that despite a few challenges in obtaining materials, repair work continues.
“The contractor indicated that there were some issues with regard to procuring the materials. But he has pointed out that the work should be completed within a week. So, we are hoping that there are no further delays,” he said.
Mr. Spencer also added that they too have contingency plans in place due to not being as fully staffed as they had intended to be.
“We are not fully staffed, but we are adequately staffed. We would have received a resignation just a few days before school reopened, so that class will be manned by our vice-principal,” he said.
Despite the ongoing repairs, parents remain confident in the schools’ leadership and their commitment to providing quality education.
Parent at Falmouth All-Age School, Fiona Thomas, expressed her confidence in the institution, saying she expects nothing but the best for her child.
“As I entrust my child to this school, I am hoping and praying for the best,” she told JIS News.
Contact: Natalia Dixon
Release: JIS Montego Bay
FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida — The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association Education Foundation (CHTAEF) proudly announces the latest cohort of recipients for its prestigious hospitality scholarship for the 2024/25 academic year. This scholarship program supports outstanding students from across the Caribbean, fostering their academic pursuits in critical areas of the hospitality industry such as culinary arts, business management, and hotel operations.
This year’s scholarships highlight the commitment to developing future leaders, with two of the 12 scholars set to pursue master’s degrees, including one in a notable partnership with Les Roches, Marabella.
Meet the 2024/25 Scholars:
Antigua:
Careena Eastwood: Pursuing an Associate Degree in Tourism Management at the University of The West Indies Open Campus.
Kerissa Henry: Enrolled in a Bachelor of Science in Tourism and Hospitality Management at the University of The West Indies Open Campus.
Olvanah Richardson-Burnette: Studying for a Bachelor of Science in Operations Management at Southern New Hampshire University.
Roan Akeem Jacobs: Engaged in the Food & Beverage Management Cornell Certificate Program through eCornell Online.
Bahamas:
Rhema Blackman: Continuing her Bachelor of Culinary Arts and Food & Beverage Management at Johnson & Wales University.
Marrisa Campbell: Earning an Associate Degree in Operations Management at Holland College.
Barbados:
Zaria Collymore: Completing a Bachelor of Hotel Management at Florida International University (FIU).
Jamal Griffith: Advancing to a Master’s in Marketing and Management of Luxury Tourism at Les Roches, Marbella. Jamal cites lifelong inspirations from accompanying his father on island tours, fostering a passion for promoting Barbados as a leading tourist destination.
St. Lucia:
Luthanie Luel Contantin: Pursuing a Bachelor of Tourism Management at Monroe College, with a focus on sustainable tourism and community empowerment.
Roxanne Nichelle Tench: Working towards a Bachelor of Science in Business Management at Monroe College.
Trinidad:
Sophia Rios Herrera: Continues to excel in her Bachelor’s in Hotel Management at Les Roches, Marbella.
USVI:
Ira Claxton: Advancing his Master’s in Hospitality Management with a specialization in Hotel Real Estate Development at FIU.
Karolin Troubetzkoy, Chairwoman of the Education Foundation, expressed her congratulations: “We are thrilled to support such an inspiring group of young professionals who are poised to lead and innovate in the Caribbean hospitality industry. We look forward to their future successes.”
To learn more about the CHTAEF and the scholarship opportunities it provides, please visit chtaef.com.
PRESS RELEASE
FROM THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, YOUTH, SPORTS, AND CULTURE
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 3rd September 2024 – The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture is thrilled to announce the reopening of schools across the Turks and Caicos Islands following the summer break.
The HJ Robinson High School, Thelma Lightbourne Primary School and the Adelaide Oemler Primary School will reopen
on September 9, 2024. The infrastructure projects at these schools extended beyond the original completion date thus resulting in the delay of their reopening. However, all other schools will resume September 4, 2024.
As schools prepare to welcome students back, the Ministry of Education has been working diligently to ensure that educational institutions are equipped and ready for a successful start to the year. This includes enhancing curricula, updating teaching materials, and preparing facilities for optimal learning environments. “We are excited to welcome our students back to school after a refreshing summer break,” said Minister of Education the Hon. Rachel Taylor. “The upcoming academic year promises to be filled with opportunities for personal growth, exploration, and achievement. Together, we can create an enriching environment that not only fosters learning but also nurtures resilience and collaboration among our students.”
The reopening of schools will include orientation activities, allowing students to reconnect with friends and teachers while acclimating to any new changes.
For additional details regarding the school reopening, including specific programs and resources available to students, please visit the Department of Education’s website or contact your local schools.
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