#TheBahamas, March 27, 2023 – Prime Minister Davis and Minister Hanna-Martin visited the S.C. McPherson Junior High School to meet with students and educators today, and acknowledge the successful progress made in getting the kids back to school.

As a byproduct of the Covid-19 pandemic, just a year ago, a staggering percentage of students were absent. Since then, it has been a major priority of the Prime Minister to reduce the absenteeism rate and return every child to the classroom.

The Find Every Child Programme spans multiple ministries, a collaboration championed by educators determined to help these students see the hope and opportunity within school walls. S.C. McPherson is just one of the many success stories across the country – last year the school had 365 students who missed more than 50 percent of the school year and this year there are less than a handful of students in that same situation.

The Prime Minister recognizes the leadership and passion of Minister Hanna-Martin, the teachers, the administration, and community members who are involved in the Find Every Child initiative. He also is incredibly proud of the students for their perseverance and wants each one to know he believes in them.

Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, March 17, 2023 – Musicians from the New World Symphony will be in the Turks and Caicos in concert next month and residents are invited to attend in support of the future of Ashley’s Learning Center.

A fairly young orchestral academy based in Miami, the New World Symphony was launched in the 1980s by 1987, Michael Tilson Thomas and Ted Arison,Carnival Cruises founder.  From the 1500 applicants who vie for a spot each year, the symphony accepts around 35 music graduates annually for training fellowships. 

A select few of those graduates will be in country on April 8th headlining at the Ashley’s Learning Center concert ‘We’re all in this together’.  The concert which also feature local artistes will be held at Brayton Hall on Venetian Road from 6 pm to 8:30 pm

Tickets are available ON ISLEHELP  $75 PER GENERAL SEAT $125 PER PREMIUM SEAT $195 PER GALLERY SEAT – with /FREFRESHMENTS. 

For TICKET RESERVATIONs you can call: 649-341-2304 or email  EVENTS@ASHLEYSLEARNINGCENTER.ORG 

Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, March 16, 2023 – Deputy Governor Anya Williams is committing to improvements in the public service including better wages. The Head of the Civil Service made the announcement in a recent National Teacher’s Day message.

“We recognize, commend, and applaud you for your service and promise our commitment to continue to work to improve the infrastructure, pay, and benefits, not only for teachers but also the wider public service.” 

The announcement comes after the DG’s office released a tender for a consultant to reassess the pay grading scale for the entirety of the public service. Recognizing Education Week, Williams thanked the country’s teachers for their service throughout the years. 

“In recognition of Teacher’s Day, I would like to express our profound thanks to teachers across the Turks and Caicos Islands, specifically highlighting the over four hundred teachers in our public service that give selflessly of themselves every day to educate, mold and inspire the future generations of these islands.” 

Williams celebrated Education Week along with Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education and hundreds of teachers and students who participated in debates, field trips and the science fair sponsored by FortisTCI.  

It was the first time in two years that the events were held on such a large scale because of COVID-19.