Education
Transformative math opportunity for TCI; Singapore style is coming
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, January 23, 2023 – Come February 9th teachers and parents in the Turks and Caicos will have an opportunity to begin the process of revolutionizing math education for our students residents thanks to a one on one with the “Micheal Jordan of Math’ Dr. Yeap Ban Har; regionally acclaimed for bringing Singapore Math for Students to the Caribbean region.
The event, born of a collaboration between Ashley’s Learning Centre and the Ministry of Education, will span two days and will expose TCI educators to the math teaching skills that cemented Singapore as one of the top countries in Mathematics globally.
Ban Har is hailed as an expert.
Kitts Cadette, in speaking to Magnetic Media recounted a conversation she had with the mathematician where he said, “You know when students are doing A-levels and you have to choose subjects and you choose one subject that you know you’re going to pass quite easily— in Singapore for students who do A-levels the easy subject is math.”
It’s a veritable 180 shift for us in the Caribbean where that sort of proficiency in math is hard to imagine. An educational consultant with four decades of experience in teaching and over six years of experience with bringing Singapore Math to the Caribbean, Cadette has seen firsthand what the method can do for regional countries.
She is now campaigning along with the staff of Ashley’s Learning Center in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos to get as many people proficient in the program as possible.
“This is a workshop for teachers, principals, ministry officials, curriculum officers, lecturers— We started the workshops in 2017, we have done Trinidad, we have done Barbados and other places. What we have seen is a different approach in terms of the way teachers execute math instruction. I have qualitative data from teachers who have attended past workshops that there has been improvement in the way they approach teaching math and as a
result their children are better able to understand the concepts.”
Cadette said that schools which had experienced the sessions would shut school down for the day when the possibility of another session came around in order to allow all staff members to fully take part. She explains though that the program was is not a ‘magic bullet’ or easy fix for bettering math performances, rather it offered teaching strategies that could create a new mindset in teachers leading to preferred results.
“At the primary level every teacher teaches math, now unless the TCI is different from any other country, math is the subject most feared by students and teachers. Math is the subject teachers feel least competent in and so when they teach it, they teach it as they learnt it.”
This is what the workshop is trying to change.
“We know that there are challenges here in the Turks and Caicos with math and the challenges are evident based on the results of exit exams”
She maintained with this in mind it was doubly important to change our approach to one that actually works especially as the globe speeds towards a more tech related future.
“There is a lack of enthusiasm to teach–’ she acknowledged. “But to transform there has to be an enthusiasm, there has to be a spark. It is critical that efforts are made to have children really engaged in math.”
Even with all of the evidence that it works there needs to be collaboration to get the best results possible Cadette says it takes a system with politicians, policymakers, teachers and other stakeholders coming on board.
“The approaches and strategies are working but it isn’t only a matter of strategy we have to look at what are the policies in place– is there going to be adequate clinical supervision to ensure that it is properly implemented in our classrooms? It has to be a system wide attack.” she said.
“This is not a one day workshop that you come to for two days and math in the Turks and Caicos changes immediately– not all of us are mathematicians but as teachers and as parents there are some basic ways that we can improve the skills that we have.” she explained; maintaining that the workshop was a powerful start. Cadette emphasized the breadth of Ban Har’s commitment to take the multi day trip to the TCI for only two days and made a final call for everyone to take advantage of it.
“We hope that we will get the best kind of support from the TCI. We are trying to encourage as many people as possible to attend but we know that it will make a difference. We know people will leave energized.”
As for Ashley’s Learning Centre, Cadette said they realized that their reach could be far beyond the walls of their own institution and this ‘was an attempt to do just that’.
To be held February 9-11; register with event@ashleylearningcenter.org.
Education
Special Education Needs Services (SENS) Department Hosts Successful Speech Camp in Grand Turk
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands 16th November 2024 – The Special Education Needs and Services (SENS) Department is proud to announce the successful completion of its Speech Camp, held in Grand Turk from Nov. 4th – 8th, 2024. This initiative aimed to provide targeted speech therapy support to children with communication challenges, equipping them with essential skills for personal and
academic success.
The camp, facilitated in collaboration with Therapy Abroad, offered group-based activities focusing on speech and language development. Children engaged in interactive sessions designed to improve articulation, comprehension, and social communication. The department also hosted a parent-training session aimed at providing parents with strategies to reinforce these skills at home, fostering ongoing progress beyond the sessions.
The Coordinator of Assessments, Mrs. Lashaunda Skippings, who oversaw all the logistics of the camp, emphasized its importance: “This Speech Camp was a carefully planned initiative aimed at addressing the growing demand for speech therapy in Grand Turk. The success of the camp reflects the dedication of our team and partners in providing quality services. We are grateful to the parents and children for their active participation and look forward to building on this momentum in future programs.”
The Minister of Education, Youth, Sports, and Culture, Hon. Rachel M. Taylor, expressed pride in the department’s ongoing efforts “The
government is committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of ability, has access to the resources they need to thrive. The Speech Camp in Grand Turk is a testament to our continued investment in the well-being and development of all our children. I commend the SENS Department and its partners for their outstanding work in continuing to bring this initiative to life.”
As part of its commitment to expanding services to meet the growing needs of the community, the SENS Department will welcome two speech therapy interns in January. They will serve Grand Turk and South Caicos on six-month rotations, further enhancing accessibility to critical interventions in these communities. The Director of SENS, Dr. Anya Malcolm-Gibbs, highlighted the department’s broader mission: “This Speech Camp is just one of several targeted initiatives we will run several times per year. From behavioral intervention to
neurodevelopmental assessments, our camps are designed to address the specific needs of our children and provide families with tools to support them. We are proud of the impact these programs have and remain committed to expanding our services across the islands.”
The SENS Department encourages all parents to register their children with the department. Registration ensures that your child can be included in future camps, therapy, and assessment initiatives, providing them with vital opportunities for growth and development. For more information, please contact sens@gov.tc and follow our social media pages @sens_tci.
Education
Achievement Unlocked: Six members of the Statistical Authority earn Graduate Degrees in Development Statistics
PRESS RELEASE
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR
AND HEAD OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 1st November 2024 – In a remarkable display of dedication and academic excellence, six members of the Statistical Authority (Formerly the Statistics Department) have successfully graduated with Masters Degrees in Development (MSc) Statistics from the University of the West Indies. Notably, this impressive cohort includes the Director, Mr. Shirlen
Forbes, and the two Deputy Directors, Miss Sabrina Williams and Miss Wendera Seymour, along with Miss Alex Bennett – Senior Statistician, Mrs. Kia Swann – Statistician and Miss Cierra Garland – Statistician, underscoring the authority’s commitment to continuous professional growth and capacity building.
The MSc in Development Statistics program, which these graduates completed, is designed to train official statisticians. It equips students with the capacity to undertake quantitative analyses that inform social and economic decision-making initiatives, particularly in the realm of development policy. The program offers two areas of specialization: Social and Demographic Statistics and Survey Research.
The graduation ceremony was a proud moment, celebrating the hard work and determination of these individuals who are poised to make a significant and positive impact on development policies and practices in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service H. E. Anya Williams, who attended the graduation ceremony, congratulated the graduates, stating, “On Friday, October 25, 2024, joined by the Permanent Secretary of Finance Mrs. Athenee Harvey-Basden and newly appointed Chair of the Statistics Authority Pastor Bradley Handfield, I was proud to witness the commencement ceremony of our Statistics Authority graduates to celebrate the hard work and determination of these individuals who are poised to make a significant impact on development policies and practices in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Their achievement is a testament to their dedication, hard work, and resilience. Completing a Master’s program with a full-time job is no small feat. For that, I commend the entire cohort of graduates. I would especially like to recognize the leadership and dedication of Director Forbes, who has, throughout his career, including as an educator, always advocated for learning and for the higher development of the Turks and Caicos Islands. He has always made it a priority to mentor and empower his staff.”, added the H.E. Anya Williams.
“H.E. Anya Williams further explained, “This graduation represents much more than an individual achievement; it signifies a collective advancement for the Statistical Authority and our Public Service. As education and training are critical components of our success, I am pleased that the Office of the Deputy Governor was able to provide partial assistance to this important initiative. I encourage our recent graduates to continue striving for excellence as they take on new challenges in their careers and make meaningful contributions to society. We are extremely proud of you and look forward to cheering you on in your future successes!”
Meanwhile, Mr. Shirlen Forbes, Director of the Statistical Authority, expressed immense pride in his team upon their graduation. He stated, “I am incredibly proud of my colleagues who have demonstrated immense commitment, perseverance, and determination in achieving this significant milestone. Their hard work speaks volumes about the calibre of individuals we have within the authority. This accomplishment enhances their professional qualifications and elevates our capacity to provide accurate and insightful data that drives meaningful policy decisions and supports sustainable development in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Undoubtedly, they will utilize their enhanced skills—particularly in areas like Social and Demographic Statistics and Survey Research—to tackle the challenges ahead and contribute positively to our mission.”
The six graduates received funding from the Professional Development Fund through the Office of the Deputy Governor. This highlights the vital support provided to enhance professional growth within the Public Service.
We share in the pride of the graduates on this outstanding achievement! Your success is a testament to the strength and potential of our organization.
Education
Hon. Rachel M. Taylor, Minister of Education and Director of Education, Mr. Edgar Howell attending the 48th COHSOD Education Meeting in Trinidad and Tobago
PRESS RELEASE
FROM THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
YOUTH, SPORTS, AND CULTURE
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 25th October 2024 – The Hon. Rachel M. Taylor, Minister of Education, is representing the Turks and Caicos Islands at the 48th meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) focused on Education,
taking place on October 24-25, 2024, in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
The COHSOD Education Meeting brings together ministers of education, policy makers, and stakeholders from various Caribbean nations to discuss critical issues affecting education across the region. This year’s agenda includes enhancing educational frameworks, promoting inclusive education, and integrating technology into learning environments.
Minister Taylor is committed to advancing educational initiatives that align with the goals of equitable and quality education for all. During the meeting, she aims to discuss the Turks and Caicos Islands’ successful strategies and explore collaborative opportunities with fellow ministers to address common challenges in education.
“I am cherishing the opportunity to engage with my counterparts and exchange ideas that will enable us to better serve our students,” said
Minister Taylor. “Together, we can create innovative solutions that will strengthen our educational systems across the Caribbean.”
The meeting provides an important platform for advocating policies that foster collaboration and implementation of effective educational practices. Updates from the meeting will be shared following the conclusion of the event. This meeting follows the Transforming Education Symposium held in Grand Cayman earlier this month.
For more information, please contact the Policy and Planning Unit in the Ministry of Education – (649)338-3134
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