Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Wednesday, 23 July 2025: The Shore Club, in partnership with the Young Presidents’ Organisation (YPO) Southern 7 Chapter is proud to announce the donation of 26 computers (8 desktops and 8 laptops) to the Ministry of Education, Youth Sports and Culture.  The generous contribution aims to support students learning by providing them with the resources needed to enhance their ICT skills.

In response to the donation, the Minister of Education, Hon.  Rachel Taylor noted, ‘With the donation of these state-of-the-art computers, students will gain valuable opportunities to develop essential digital skills, conduct in-depth research, complete assignments efficiently, and engage in innovative learning activities. This technological upgrade will bridge the digital divide, ensuring that students have the tools they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving digital world.  Equipping students with reliable computers is not just about access to technology; it’s about unlocking their potential and preparing them for future academic and career pursuits.  We are excited to see how this donation will inspire creativity, foster collaboration, and enhance educational outcomes across our community.” 

Director of Education, Mr.  Mark Garland further noted, “The donation of these computers will facilitate remote learning, support STEM education, and enable teachers to incorporate engaging digital resources into their curriculum. Overall, this contribution will help to lay the foundation for lifelong learning and empowerment for the next generation”.

The YPO Southern 7, one of the largest and most established chapters in the Young Presidents’ Organisation (YPO) network with over 600 members, visited the Shore Club for a group event, and as a part of their community give-back programme spent $17,000.00 donating the computers.  Their commitment to making a positive impact is reflected in this meaningful donation.

Karen Whit, Vice-President of Sales and Marketing for the Hartling Group, proudly presented the computers to the Ministry of Education at a handing-over ceremony which took place on 21 July 2025.  This initiative underscores the Hartling Group and YPO Southern 7’s shared dedication to supporting education and fostering community development in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Thursday, 17 July 2025: A delegation of fifteen (15) educators from the Turk and Caicos Islands proudly represented the nation at the prestigious inaugural co-location of ASCD 2025 Annual Conference and ISTE LIVE 25 hosted from June 29 to July 2 in San Antonio Texas, under the inspiring Theme – “Spark Joyful Learning.” 

The group included teachers and education officers, all of whom participated in an enriching series of professional development sessions designed to guide passion, purpose and innovation in education.

Throughout the four-day event – attendees engaged with dynamic keynote speakers, workshops, innovative technology labs and collaborative learning experiences centered around using artificial intelligence in education, fostering student engagement, cultivating inclusive classrooms, supporting educator wellbeing and creating meaningful learning experiences in tech rich environments. The conference provided a unique opportunity for the Turks and Caicos Islands delegation to network with a number of educators from around the world, exchange ideas, and explore best practices in modern pedagogy.

Teachers attending shared that the conference was insightful, motivational in incredibly informative. They noted that each session was packed with relevant strategies and inspiration to bring back to their schools and by extension, their communities.

A special feature of the conference was the exhibition hall, where experts in various areas of education and technology showcased cutting edge tools, offered live demonstrations, expert advice and valuable resources to support educators in teaching and learning outcomes. The interactive displays and networking opportunities in the exhibition hall were key delights for participants.

ASCD and ISTE are globally recognised organisations for their commitment to excellence in education, and the 2025 conference delivered on its promise to ‘Spark Joyful Learning’. The joint conference affirmed the importance of staying connected to global best practices and emerging trends in education.

The Ministry of Education applauds the continued professional growth of its educators and looks forward to seeing the positive impact of this experience across classrooms in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

PRESS RELEASE

 FROM THE Department of Special Education Needs Services

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands 9^th July 2025 – In an effort to continue to advance speech and language development among children with neurodevelopmental challenges in the Turks & Caicos Islands, the Department of Special Education Needs Services (SENS), hosted Hampton University’s Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program as part of their partnership with Therapy Abroad.

Two speech camps, held at Ianthe Pratt Primary School and Shining Stars Preparatory, provided individualized assessments and group-based speech therapy sessions for 20 children identified with speech and language delays. These schools were chosen based on the high number of incoming speech and communication related referrals to the department. This initiative represents a growing collaboration between SENS and international universities through Therapy Abroad to bring specialist services directly to children across the islands who may otherwise face long wait times or limited access to therapy.

The visiting team from Hampton University included speech-language pathology graduate students and faculty members who worked closely with the Department’s clinicians to assess, support, and empower children through evidence-based communication strategies. Activities focused on language enrichment, articulation, social communication skills, and caregiver education. The team also donated a communication board to the SNAP Center playground as a resource for the non-verbal learners.

Dr. Anya Malcolm-Gibbs, Director of Special Education Needs Services, expressed her appreciation, “This partnership has made an incredible difference in the lives of the children and families we serve. Every time we bring in these volunteer teams, we’re not just expanding access — we’re building confidence and capacity within our system. We thank Hampton University and Therapy Abroad for their commitment and generosity.”

Mrs. Lashaunda Skippings, Coordinator of Assessments, added, “We’ve seen firsthand how focused intervention can unlock the potential in our students. These camps allow us to fast-track progress for some of our most vulnerable learners and support parents in understanding their child’s development.”

Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports, and Social Services, also praised the initiative, stating, “These partnerships demonstrate our ministry’s commitment to building human capital, fostering inclusive education, and ensuring no child is left behind. I commend the Department of Special Education Needs for continuously pushing boundaries and creating meaningful, impactful change in the lives of our children.”

This initiative is part of a broader national effort to strengthen support services for children with special needs across the TCI. The Department encourages parents and caregivers to continue registering their children for services as more therapy teams are expected to visit throughout the year.

Photo Captions: 

1st insert: Therapy Abroad team and Coordinator of Assessments

2nd insert: Therapy Abroad team presentation to SNAP

3rd insert: Engagement with students from the Ianthe Pratt Primary school