Historic Tripartite MOU Signing Ceremony

#TurksandCaicos, November 28, 2022 – A significant moment in the history of the Turks and Caicos Islands education sector was witnessed on November 17, 2022; as three entities under two separate Ministries collaborated in signing a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding with a specific focus to deliver quality technical vocational education and training as a critical component of rehabilitation for inmates.

The three (3) entities namely, Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation and the HJ Robinson High School inked the MOU in fine style on the grounds of His Majesty’s Prison – Grand Turk. It was a high-profile event that saw some top Government Ministers attending to show support of the initiative. Among the Ministers present were Hon. Rachel Taylor, Hon. Josephine Connolly, Hon. Otis Morris, Hon. Arlington Musgrove and Hon. Shaun Malcolm. Other Senior Government and Education Officials were also on hand to witness the signing.

The Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education Labour, Employment and Customer Service, endorsed the agreement by pledging the Government’s support in sustaining this milestone MOU. Hon Taylor reasserted her Ministry’s commitment to delivering quality and timely education and training services across all sectors of the population.

Minister of Home Affairs, Public Utilities, and Transportation, Hon. Otis Morris, under whose Ministry the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation is housed, was optimistic about the prospects and positive impact of the MOU. Hon. Morris was keen to implore the inmates to make the best of their training under the TVET programme.

Dr. Candice Williams, President of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College noted that ‘the tripartite partnership is a mechanism for enhancing offenders’ human capital. This improves their chances of success once they are released from custody and integrated into society’.

Although the MOU was signed on November 17, 2022, training interventions began as early as July 2022 as the three (3) parties have been laying the groundwork for cooperation and implementing the necessary systems to build sustainable training intervention model. TVET training is not only limited to the inmates of the DCR but also its Officers, who upon certification will be able to support the training delivery across the penal service.

Signatories of the MOU were Dr. Candice Williams – President of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Acting Superintendent Raymond Grant – Department of Correction and Rehabilitation and Mr Berkely Williams – Principal of the HJ Robinson High School. The event was masterfully moderated by the TVET Dean at the Turks and Caicos Islands Community