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.
Education
Hon. E. Jay Saunders, Minister of Innovation, Technology and Energy Undertakes Initiative to Transform High School Science Projects into Commercial Ventures
PRESS RELEASE
FROM THE MINISTRY OF INNOVATION,
TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Thursday, 8 May 2025: In an unprecedented move, Hon. E. Jay Saunders, Minister
of Innovation, Technology and Energy, is undertaking an initiative to transform high school science projects into viable commercial businesses, inspired by successful models from renowned educational institutions, such as Stanford, Harvard, and the University of Toronto.
On Wednesday, 7 May 2025, Hon. Saunders visited Holy Family Academy Catholic School in Kew Town, Providenciales, to meet with Rev. Luis Orlando González, Head Director, Ms. María Elena Vázquez, Principal, Mrs. Amor Villanueva, Science Teacher, and the students behind the innovative project “Brics from Sargassum.” This project, which won first place at the recent FortisTCI National Science and Technology Fair, involves converting problematic sargassum seaweed into sustainable eco-bricks.
Expressing confidence in the commercial potential of the initiative, Hon. Saunders stated, “Not because such an undertaking hasn’t been done before means it shouldn’t be tried. Our young students have exceptional talent, and this initiative will provide them with opportunities similar to those at leading universities. Even if we don’t achieve immediate commercial success, the invaluable lessons learned will vastly increase our likelihood of success in future attempts.” While at Holy Family Academy Catholic School, Hon. Saunders also took time out to visit all the students in their classes where he stressed the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, particular the positive outcomes achieved when girls pursue careers in STEM fields.
Holy Family Academy is one of two schools whose projects from the FortisTCI National Science and Technology Fair 2025 have been identified by Hon. Saunders as having commercial potential. Hon. Saunders will next visit Raymond Gardiner High School in North Caicos, whose project “North Caicos Beach Bricks” secured second place at the FortisTCI Science Fair. The school’s innovative approach focuses on enhancing the strength and durability of eco-bricks made from recycled plastic and glass bottles, addressing critical sustainability challenges.
“As part of this initiative, I’m encouraging the schools to outsource the preparation of the commercial and financial business plans to their business and economic classes. This way, more students will gain real-world entrepreneurial experience, positioning them as leaders in sustainable business practices,” Hon. Saunders stated.
This initiative promises potential financial benefits for schools, including revenue from licenses and profits from successful
commercialisation. “Through this programme, we’re not just supporting student innovation — we’re investing in the future prosperity of the Turks and Caicos Islands,” Hon. Saunders emphasised. “This undertaking has the potential to generate economic growth, inspire young entrepreneurs, and set a foundation for sustainable industry development.”
Hon. Saunders underscored the importance of collaboration, innovation, and resilience, reaffirming his commitment to providing the necessary resources and mentorship to turn these student innovations into profitable, sustainable businesses.
Education
Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture Announces Launch of Scholarship Secretariat Social Media Platforms
Kingston, Jamaica, May 5, 2025 – In just three years of being in the classroom, Shanique Pryce has cemented her name in the annals of Jamaica’s education sector.
An educator at the Immaculate Conception High School in Kingston, she was recently honoured with the prestigious title of ‘2025 Mathematics Teacher of the Year’.
A graduate of Camperdown High School, Ms. Pryce reflects on a challenging childhood that was impacted by misfortunes. After losing her mother at the age of seven and growing up without her father, she moved among various family members throughout the Corporate Area.
In high school, Ms. Pryce developed a passion for Mathematics, largely due to the influence of an exceptional teacher, Ms. Bailey.
“She had a remarkable ability to simplify the most difficult concepts, making them easier to understand,” Ms. Pryce recalls in a recent interview with JIS News.
After high school, her attempt to continue her studies at the tertiary level was short-lived due to a lack of financial and emotional support.
“I was enrolled at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Campus, but had to drop out after a year. I then pursued short courses at HEART/NSTA Trust while seeking employment wherever I could,” she recalls.
In 2017, Ms. Pryce learned about a scholarship that the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information offered specifically to individuals seeking to pursue studies in the Sciences or Mathematics.
She applied and was awarded a full scholarship to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education, with specialisation in Mathematics at The Mico University College, in Kingston.
“I am forever grateful to the Ministry of Education for the scholarship, which covered meals, boarding and tuition,” she shares with JIS News.
Ms. Pryce completed her studies in 2020, graduating with first-class honors. However, it was in 2022 that she began her first teaching job at Immaculate Conception High School, teaching Mathematics to students in grades seven, 10 and 11.
“Nominating Ms. Pryce for the 2025 Mathematics Teacher of the Year award was an easy decision. It was a no-brainer,” Principal of Immaculate High School, Stacey Reynolds, tells JIS News.
“Mathematics is usually a difficult content area for most of us, but Ms. Pryce makes it seems easy and fun. In just her third year at Immaculate, she brings an infectious level of energy to her teaching,” she adds.
The school facilitates classroom observations, either by visiting a class unannounced or planned, or by casually walking the blocks to listen and observe.
“When I visit Ms. Pryce’s classes, I always feel the urge to participate, and I leave learning something new. She fosters a student-centred
environment and implements a rewarding system for her students. Additionally, she is receptive to feedback, both positive and constructive, and actively seeks suggestions. Even if I leave her class before it concludes, she will seek me out to get my feedback,” the Principal says. Ms. Pryce is described as resourceful, creating her teaching aids and manipulatives, and consistently incorporates games and real-life situations into her lessons.
According to Mrs. Reynolds, she epitomises the fact that you do not need to have years of experience to be good at your craft. Her success shows that years of experience are not a prerequisite for excellence; you just need to have the passion, a willingness and be open to learning.
“Once she continues doing what she does, I have no doubt that she will seize every opportunity that comes her way,” the Principal tells JIS News.
This year’s competition received 51 nominations from both primary and secondary schools across seven education Regions. The nominations were thoroughly reviewed, leading to the selection of regional semi-finalists. Each semi-finalist was observed while conducting a Mathematics lesson, ultimately leading to the identification of 15 outstanding finalists for Round two.
During the second Round, the regional finalists underwent a rigorous evaluation process, including a second observation and interviews focusing on critical pedagogical areas related to teaching mathematics. Based on a weighted scoring system, the top regional winners emerged, and from this group, five candidates secured their place as national finalists.
The final stage of the competition, Round three, showcased the talents of these national finalists through a third observation and a 25-minute presentation on innovative strategies to enhance student engagement and performance in Mathematics.
Utilising a weighted scoring system, the combined scores from both the observation and presentation were tallied to determine the 2025 Mathematics Teacher of the Year.
Mrs. Shauna-Gaye Young Henry, one of the three Mathematics Coordinators who observed the nominees leading up to the final selection, says Ms. Pryce demonstrated a consistent and excellent teaching method.
“During her engagement with the ladies at Immaculate, it was evident that this is how she interacts with them normally. Her teaching isn’t just a performance; the consistency highlights her authenticity,” Mrs. Young Henry says.
“The questions she asked her students and the activities she gave them were not just regular but they go beyond the ordinary, skillfully linking them to real-life situations while integrating other subject areas. She also encourages her students to discover concepts on their own, which aligns perfectly with our goals,” she adds.
Mrs. Young Henry points out that “for a teacher with just three years of professional practice, Ms. Pryce’s performance is commendable”.
“She demonstrated a high level of skill, particularly in her approach to teaching and learning mathematics, especially considering she was competing against individuals with considerably more experience in the field,” she says.
Ms. Pryce’s unwavering commitment to excellence and her dedication to her students’ success are a testament to her winning the prestigious award, and it is also reflected in the 100 per cent pass rate in external examinations over the past two years.
She was presented with a trophy, a laptop, gift certificates and membership to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) .
The National Mathematics Teacher of the Year competition was launched in 2013 and is designed to select from a pool of teachers at the primary and secondary levels. It is a critical part of the Ministry of Education’s strategy to change the culture towards Mathematics, due to the central role the subject plays in the learning of other subjects.
BY: JUDITH A. HUNTER
CAPTIONS:
Michael Sloley Photo
Header: Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Dr. Kasan Troupe (right), presents the ‘2025 Mathematics Teacher of the Year’, Shanique Pryce, of Immaculate Conception High School in Kingston with the winning trophy. Occasion was an awards ceremony, held recently at the Caenwood Auditorium in Kingston.
Photo contributed
Insert: The national ‘2025 Mathematics Teacher of the Year’, Shanique Pryce, teaches a class at Immaculate Conception High School in Kingston.
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