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Teacher retention in Turks & Caicos Makes Rivetting Topic at Education Symposium  

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By Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

 

 

#TurksandCaicos, March 13, 2023 – More money and better working conditions are what the Turks and Caicos need to fix its teacher retention problem, said Robert Hall, a former Minister of Education in a recent Education Symposium geared at addressing the issue.

Teacher retention is a longstanding dilemma, with the constant carousel of educators coming into the country and leaving just as quickly thus forcing students to operate without teachers in some cases, loading pressure onto the educators who stay behind, and denying students a full learning experience.

Hall had suggestions not just for the Government, but for teachers as well maintaining that the issue was a two-way street.

Firstly, he said it was incumbent upon the government to improve the physical setting of the schools to provide an environment conducive to learning, and for parents and teachers to monitor and encourage more gentle use of amenities by children.

“There must be constant upgrades in physical amenities and in terms of technology,” He said firmly.

The second issue Hall talked about was salaries, which needed urgent reassessment as young locals could not truly live off of it.

“If we are to retain teachers, then you must regrade and pay teachers better. I don’t see how any young man, if he’s not fortunate to have a wife or significant other earning quite a bit more to complement the little he earns, could raise a family.”

Additionally, in terms of remuneration, Hall challenged Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, to draw up a new bill to be tabled in Cabinet to fix the measly $500 and $600 pensions that some retired teachers were receiving.

“I cannot understand for the love of me, how we could provide a thousand dollars a month in unemployment benefits– while our retired teachers who helped to mold and produce the leaders we have today can hardly make ends meet- fix that immediately. When I last checked we had money, we still have money — leverage that 14 to one!” he commanded.

He maintained that teachers were the cornerstone of every profession and should be treated as such, being paid with ‘more than lip service.’

While training Turks and Caicos islanders is the ultimate goal, he also encouraged the Government to retain some of the excellent contract workers.

“We are competing with others, the Cayman Islands, Bermuda, Canada and elsewhere, that is why so often when the school opens, the department is criticized because people think they are not doing their jobs.”

In reality, he said, the Turks and Caicos was simply not competitive enough in terms of salaries. It is a sentiment that has been repeated across departments, especially the health department.

Having regular stakeholder meetings to provide an avenue for discourse, suggestions and ‘for the cross-fertilization of ideas’ was another recommendation by the former minister.

Finally, he encouraged TCIG to utilize the Land Policy to empower all TC Islanders, Teachers in particular, and in doing so, aid the process of teacher retention.

“Every stick of residential crown land should be placed in a land bank reserved for Turks and Caicos Islanders, and subdivisions should be created, whereby Islanders, teachers included, could access land, if not totally free just with the administrative costs,” He contended.

As for what teachers could do, he wanted them to always upgrade themselves instead of being complacent because they had a first degree. He encouraged them to seek opportunities to specialize in areas or increase their level of education which would intern benefit the students and also qualify them for fatter paychecks.

Education

UWI Delegation Visits Turks and Caicos Islands, Strengthening Regional Medical Education Partnerships

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Press Release

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands — February 10, 2025 — A high-level delegation from The University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Campus, led by Professor Densil A. Williams, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of UWI Mona, and Professor Marvin Reid, Lead, UWI Global Health Initiative, visited the Turks and Caicos Islands to advance key initiatives in regional medical education and healthcare development.

During the visit, the delegation signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Hamilton Education Foundation and Hamilton University School of Medicine (HUSM). This agreement solidifies a strategic partnership aimed at developing HUSM into a world-class institution and strengthening healthcare delivery and education in the Caribbean.

Key Highlights of the Visit:

  1. Signing of MOU with HUSM
    The MOU formalizes a partnership between UWI, Mona and HUSM to advance medical education, research, and healthcare initiatives in the region. This collaboration is part of UWI Mona’s Global Health Initiative (GHI), which supports health professional training and addresses health inequities across the Caribbean and the wider world.
  2. Visit to the Hamilton University School of Medicine Development Site
    The delegation toured the site of the future Hamilton University School of Medicine and its University Medical Center, which is currently undergoing preparatory work for the construction of its state-of-the-art Medical Education building. Construction is expected to begin in the coming months, marking a significant step toward HUSM’s goal of opening its doors to students in 2027.
  3. Tour of Cheshire Hall Medical Center
    The UWI delegation also visited the Cheshire Hall Medical Center, a diamond-level accredited facility operated by InterHealth Canada. Dr. Denise Braithwaite-Tennant, CEO, and Dr. Dawn Perry-Ewing, Chief of Medical Services, led a comprehensive tour of the facility, showcasing its cutting-edge infrastructure and capabilities.

As a UWI internship-approved center, Cheshire Hall Medical Center will play a pivotal role in HUSM’s clinical training programs. The delegation lauded the center’s contributions to healthcare in the Turks and Caicos Islands and its significance as a key partner in HUSM’s medical education delivery.

Statements from Leaders

Professor Densil A. Williams emphasized the importance of regional collaboration, stating, “This visit signifies UWI’s commitment to fostering partnerships that advance the Caribbean’s healthcare systems and medical education. The MOU with HUSM is a testament to our commitment to work with indigenous regional institutions to advance teaching and learning, and, research and innovation in healthcare so that we can build a more productive citizenry within our region.

Dr. Rufus W. Ewing, Executive Chair of the Hamilton Education Foundation, noted, “The partnership with UWI and the engagement with world-class institutions like Cheshire Hall Medical Center reflect our shared goal of providing high-quality medical education and healthcare services to the Turks and Caicos Islands and the wider Caribbean.”

Looking Ahead

This visit marks a significant milestone in the development of HUSM and its collaboration with UWI. The strategic partnerships established will not only enhance medical education but also strengthen healthcare delivery throughout the region. As construction on HUSM’s Medical Education building begins and clinical programs are integrated with institutions like Cheshire Hall Medical Center, the Caribbean is set to benefit from

For Media Inquiries, Please Contact:

  • Hamilton Education Foundation
    Email: Admin@husm.education
  • The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus
    Email: communications@uwimona.edu.jm
    Phone: +1 (876) 977 5941

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Education

Celebrating the Power of Reading Aloud 

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***MEDIA RELEASE***

 

Turks and Caicos, February 5, 2025 – World Read Aloud Day celebrates the joy and importance of reading aloud, encouraging children and adults to pick up a book, find an audience, and share a story.

Today, in commemoration of World Read Aloud Day, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) joined in the celebration by visiting schools to engage with students through reading.

Commissioner Fitz Bailey visited the Special Needs Association Providenciales (SNAP) Center, where he read to students aged 5-11 and later spoke with students in the 12-20 age group. He reminded them that they are not just special but unique in God’s image and likeness, emphasizing that they are all children of God.

The Commissioner also engaged the students in song, earning applause. He expressed gratitude to Principal Ms. Regena Little and her dedicated staff for their patience, commitment, and genuine care for the students. Commissioner Bailey assured everyone that this would not be his last visit to the center.

Meanwhile, Inspector Delton Robinson and Constable Janefer Stubbs engaged students with lively readings at Ianthe Pratt Primary School, while Constables Rhoan McKoy and Roan Waugh from the Tactical Unit captivated students with animated storytelling sessions at Oseta Jolly Primary School.

The RTCIPF remains committed to collaborating with our communities and fostering education, engagement, and positive connections.

 

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Education

Therapy Abroad Team from Illinois State University Supports Speech and Communication Development Across TCI Schools

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PRESS RELEASE

FROM THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION YOUTH SPORTS AND CULTURE

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands 13th January 2025 The Special Education Needs Services (SENS) Department of the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, and Culture, recently welcomed a team of 10 dedicated volunteers from Illinois State University’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders through the Therapy Abroad program. Throughout their visit, the team made a significant impact, conducting 45 speech assessments and providing invaluable support to private and public schools and students.

The visiting team worked with the SNAP Center, Preparing Little Minds, Tumble Tots, Thelma Lightbourne Primary, and Ianthe Pratt Primary schools this past week. Their efforts included one-on-one speech assessments, group speech therapy sessions with students, and collaborative meetings with teachers to provide insights and strategies to assist children with speech delays and other neurodevelopmental disorders.

Director of the SENS Department, Dr. Anya Malcolm-Gibbs, expressed her gratitude for the collaborative effort: “We are immensely grateful to the Therapy Abroad team and the volunteers from Illinois State University for their unwavering commitment to supporting our students. Their assessments and therapy sessions have brought us closer to understanding and addressing our children’s unique speech and communication needs. I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our Coordinator of Assessments, Mrs. Lashaunda Skippings, whose tireless efforts ensured the success of this initiative.”

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Mr. James Astwood, also praised the initiative: “This ongoing partnership between Therapy Abroad and the SENS Department highlights the importance of global collaboration in addressing the diverse needs of our students. The expertise shared and the assessments conducted will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on our schools and the children they serve. We look forward to continuing such partnerships to further enhance the services we provide.”

The SENS Department remains committed to fostering innovative partnerships and delivering specialized support to ensure that every child receives the resources they need to thrive.

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