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Police Open investigation after Ministry of Education allows ‘abuse’ accused Teacher to resign  

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By Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

 

 

#TurksandCaicos, January 25, 2023 – Citizens of the Turks and Caicos and the Police are dumbfounded and disturbed by the news that a potential child abuser may have been allowed to slip away under the lax gaze of one of the ministries arguably most equipped to deal with and most responsible for child welfare.

In what can only be described as a gross failing on the Ministry of Education’s part, a teacher at the Raymond Gardiner High was allowed to hand in his resignation after reportedly having an inappropriate relationship with a teenager.

All professional bodies including teachers, operators and employees of day care centres, health care professionals, social workers are BOUND BY LAW to report all forms of child abuse to either the Police or the Director of Social Services ‘without delay’ according to the Children Care and Protection Ordinance (2015).  Breach of this law comes with a fine of $5,000 or to a term of imprisonment of six months, or both.

And yet the Ministry neglected to alert the police despite having knowledge of the issue only admitting it when the police, alerted by social media, began to investigate.  The decision not to involve the police could have allowed the teacher to slip into another institution full of vulnerable young people.  Without swift intervention from concerned citizens who knew of the slap-on-the-wrist resolution which had happened days prior it would have likely remained far from the public’s knowledge.

Police say they were alerted to rumblings on Whatsapp around 11:40 am Monday that a male teacher had been allowed to abscond while being investigated by them for alleged sexual assault against a student. MM also received the allegations around 11:40 am and reached out to the police after with our concerns.  The police say minutes after receiving the information and having no previous reports of the matter they reached out to the Director of Education.

Now an investigation is opened into the serious matter.

“The Safeguarding and Public Protection Unit received an email response from the Director of Education indicating the Department of Education had received notice of the matter.  The Director, via his email, recounted, he had spoken with a senior representative from the Department of Social Development on Friday 20th January.  Later that day (January 20th), according to the Director’s account, the teacher submitted a resignation letter informing the Department of Education of his immediate resignation.”

The teacher notably was not fired from his post, but allowed the courtesy of resigning. While there was some level of reporting to a ‘senior member’ responsible for social services; that the individual was essentially allowed to walk away without consequence is concerning as the government should be a leading example of not only managing child abuse cases, but responding firmly to reports of alleged offenders utilising the full weight of the law as a guide and being a part of the mechanisms designed to protect the innocence of victims.

This may be found to be a case of dereliction of duty.

Historically, the Turks and Caicos Islands became a signatory to the Multi Agency Protocol for Prevention Reporting and Management of Child Abuse and Neglect in 2017, a protocol which Tiffany Thomas Brown, Director of the Department of Social Development explained to the press was geared at improving response to child abuse across the country’s different agencies by establishing specific standards for the “point of contact, methods of contact, and purpose of contact between relevant agencies, to define professional roles and responsibilities, and to reduce trauma to children by improving inter agency coordination.”

Police Commissioner Trevor Botting is now on the record with his concern that the matter was dealt with without the Police or the SPPU.

The Education Ministry has not yet made a statement regarding the rationale behind the decision

Bahamas News

Caribbean Bottling Supports the 27th Basketball Smiles Week  

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to once again support Basketball Smiles for their 27th year.

Upholding its corporate pillar of community outreach, CBC proudly donated $2,000, over 75 cases of Dasani, Powerade and Sprite, reusable Powerade water bottles and numerous marketing materials.

The annual sporting summer camp offers free basketball and life skills training to Junior and High School students.

Basketball Smiles’ mission of developing leadership qualities while fostering children’s academic achievement and self-esteem aligns perfectly with CBC’s commitment to supporting and empowering youth.

Jazmin Darling, Assistant Marketing Manager for Caribbean Bottling Company shared why the company continues to support this program each year.

“At CBC, we believe investing in our youth is one of the greatest ways to strengthen our communities. We’re proud to support Basketball Smiles each year because it goes beyond the game. This program champions healthy lifestyles, positive values and brighter futures. It’s a privilege to play a role in helping these young athletes reach their full potential each year,” she shared.

Sam Nicholls, Basketball Smiles Camp President and Founder expressed.

“Caribbean Bottling Company is an incredible partner. We are truly grateful for their generous support, which will go a long way in making a positive impact on the lives of our campers,” Nicholls expressed.

CBC is always ready to lend its support toward initiatives and programs that uplift young Bahamians. The impact Basketball Smiles makes on the community is undeniable and is why CBC remains a historic sponsor.

For more information on sponsorship, events and new products, visit www.cbcbahamas.com today.

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Bahamas News

CWS Supports Transforming Spaces with Premium Products and Unique Cocktails

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CWS brand representative for Bottega and Excellsior wines posing with attendees enjoying glasses of Bottega Gold Prosecco at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas.

NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines and Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wine and spirits distributor is thrilled to once again lend its support to Transforming Spaces (TS).

CWS is a proud historical partner of the annual art week which highlights Bahamian art and art spaces. Under this year’s theme, “Chasing Light” Transforming Spaces and Caribbean Wines & Spirits created a memorable art experience.

To mark 21 years of the upliftment and exposure of culture and Bahamian art, CWS offered award winning wines St. Francis, Rebellious, Bottega and Excellsior; premium spirits, Cross Keys Gin, El Tequileno Tequila, Angostura Rum and Nemiroff Vodka, along with the newly added Coors Light Beer from its portfolio.

To kickstart the annual art week, CWS delighted attendees with a tasting of globally renowned Bottega Wines at TS’ Poetry Jam, held at ICE Bahamas. Throughout the event, Bottega brand representatives shared tasting notes, ideal pairings, and insights into the brand’s portfolio.

During the highly anticipated Saturday and Sunday tours, CWS showcased its premium products at select art galleries.

Attendees enjoyed Rebellious and St. Francis wines at The Current: Baha Mar Art Gallery and Museum, Bottega and Excellsior wines at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, Coors Light beer at the University of The Bahamas Pro Gallery and hand-crafted Schweppes mixes featuring Cross Keys Gin, El Tequileno Tequila, Angostura Rum and Nemiroff Vodka at CAB Gallery & Studio.

Throughout the two-day tour, CWS product specialists enriched the experience by providing a deeper appreciation for their exceptional beverage portfolio.

Members of the Transforming Spaces Committee expressed their appreciation towards CWS’ support after another successful art week.

“Transforming Spaces is deeply grateful for the continued support of Caribbean Wines & Spirits over the years. Their partnership has become such an important part of the TS experience, helping us create welcoming and vibrant moments for our audiences across the tour weekend. From signature wines and cocktail bars to refreshments at gallery stops and pop-up events, their contribution brings an added sense of hospitality, celebration, and connection to the journey through Bahamian contemporary art.” — TS2026 Committee.

Caribbean Wines & Spirits is proud to partner with Transforming Spaces in supporting and elevating the voices and works of Bahamian artists and looks forward to strengthening this partnership for years to come.

To learn more about CWS’ involvement in the community, follow on social media @caribbeanwinesandspirits or visit the website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.

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Government

Government Outlines New Healthcare Vision as Interhealth Exit Accelerates Reform  

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By Magnetic Media Newsroom

 

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Turks and Caicos Islands Government says the breakdown of its relationship with InterHealth Canada presents an opportunity to reshape healthcare delivery, with plans to expand local medical services, strengthen primary care and reduce dependence on overseas treatment.

During a national briefing following InterHealth Canada’s notice terminating its hospital contract, Premier Charles Washington Misick acknowledged publicly for the first time that Government and InterHealth had been negotiating an exit from the arrangement for more than a year after what he described as an “irretrievably broken down” relationship.

Despite the contractual dispute, Misick and Health Minister Kyle Knowles stressed that healthcare services will continue uninterrupted during the transition.

“Allow us to do our job,” Knowles appealed, assuring residents that Government is actively managing the transition and safeguarding patient care.

The Premier outlined what amounts to a broader healthcare transformation built around four connected levels of care: strengthened community-based primary healthcare; expanded polyclinic services; enhanced hospital-based secondary care with greater specialist capacity; and overseas tertiary treatment only for cases that cannot be managed locally.

Among the proposals are the long-discussed establishment of intensive care units, expanded use of currently unfinished hospital space, recruitment of more resident specialist physicians and stronger contract management to oversee future healthcare agreements.

Knowles said the new polyclinic model will broaden services available outside the hospitals, including dentistry, ophthalmology, laboratory services, diagnostic imaging, gynaecology and preventative screening, helping to reduce pressure on emergency departments while improving early intervention.

Misick also acknowledged that while the hospital system significantly improved healthcare access after opening in 2010, Government believes further reform is necessary to improve affordability, sustainability and the range of services available within the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The briefing marked the Government’s most comprehensive explanation to date of its plans beyond the InterHealth contract, signalling that officials now see the transition as an opportunity to redesign healthcare delivery rather than simply replace one operator with another.

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