PRESS RELEASE

FROM THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION YOUTH SPORTS AND CULTURE

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands 13^th 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.

The Bahamas, January 18, 2025 – The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Patrice Gardiner as its first Director of People. The strategic addition marks a significant cultural transition at BTVI as the institution seeks to rebrand and reposition itself on the regional stage. It is expected that this new role will bring a fresh, vibrant and people-centred approach to the employee experience at BTVI.

Ms. Gardiner has a storied career with a proven track record in Human Resources, Performance Management and Training, Project Management and Customer Service.

BTVI’s President, Dr. Linda A. Davis expressed excitement over the new appointment, stating that Ms. Gardiner’s valuable expertise in the field will usher in a cultural shift that will go a long way in enhancing the quality of the team, while elevating the institution’ brand.

“This appointment signifies BTVI’s commitment to staff and faculty and by extension our strategic growth initiatives. Expected to be the springboard of a culture shift across the institution, this occurs at a pivotal point in our history,” said Dr. Davis.

“BTVI is working assiduously towards accreditation by the National Accreditation and Equivalency Council of The Bahamas (NAECOB) and the Council on Occupational Education (COE), based in Atlanta, Georgia. With institutional-wide inclusion and collaboration necessary for attaining these stamps of approval regarding our educational quality, we believe that a reenergised Human Resources team will be central to our efforts in helping to energise all BTVI employees towards continuous improvement. We look forward to benefitting from Ms. Gardiner’s insight and strategies in this regard,” added Dr. Davis.

Commenting on her appointment, Ms. Gardiner expressed how thrilled she is to join the BTVI team and assisting with cultivating a culture that promotes productivity, creativity and innovation, while maintaining employee relations.

“I look forward to collaborating with all stakeholders to ensure that everyone understands their roles and how their work and presence contribute to our strategic plan goals.  I am aiming to ensure that BTVI has satisfied employees and robust talent management,” said Ms. Gardiner.

She added that ownership and accountability are vital parts of achieving goals; therefore, as Director of People fostering an environment of accountability, teamwork, transparency and reliability is crucial.

One of BTVI’s three institutional pillars is Strengthening our Institute. Ms. Gardiner’s appointment aligns with that thrust of building capacity to serve and excel in a high-performing work environment.

MEDIA RELEASE

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: Beaches Turks and Caicos resort was the main sponsor for the second staging of the Ministry of Education Mathematics Quiz Competition held recently at the resort. Defending champions Clement Howell High and the International School of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) emerged the overall champions of the high and primary categories respectively.

The event spanned two days where 13 primary schools and six high schools matched wits to see which pair would be crowned mathematics champions for 2024.

The Caribbean’s leading family resort, provided the perfect location to host the more than 250 participants and supporters at one of its conference rooms. Beaches also sponsored the first place prizes to the top students.

At the end of three sessions of jeopardy style competition, the top three high schools were A Louise Garland High, third, Raymond Gardiner High, second, and 2024 champions Clement Howell High School. The primary staging saw Adelaide Oemler Primary copping the third place title, BEST Institute, second and International School of the TCI walking away with the first place title.

Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Social Services Hon. Rachel Taylor while lauding the planning team expressed gratitude to the sponsors for supporting education in the TCI. “Congratulations to every student who participated in this competition and the coaches who have committed their time in working with these youths. For us to be having this for the second year, Beaches Turks and Caicos continues to provide this ministry with the necessary support to help in the development of our youth and the nation at large. As our main sponsor, their support is helping to nurture a passion for mathematics among our young people which will ultimately contribute to the students’ advancement in the field.”

Managing Director James McAnally noted, “these children executed well even in this competitive environment and I must commend the coaches and their supporting team on how well they performed.”

While expressing appreciation to the resort for being the main sponsor for the event, Curriculum Development Officer, Elisann Delancy shared, “at the initial stage when Beaches Turks and Caicos confirmed their support for this event, my team knew that this year would be a success. And it certainly was an overwhelming success. The students, their teachers and supporters were comfortable for both days of the competition. We are anticipating a long lasting relationship with the resort as we look forward to the annual growth of this competition. Congratulations to every participant and special commendations to the 2024 champions as they look forward to celebrating this success with their families at the resort. Thank you Beaches Turks and Caicos and all our other sponsors.”

Primary school champions, Vivian Castleton and Shlok Ganglani while being happy for the crown are also looking towards experiencing the amenities at the resort with their day pass. Castleton noted, “I’m looking forward along with my family members and my friends to enjoying the amenities at Beaches Turks and Caicos and I know that we will be able to experience a most memorable time. The preparation for this competition didn’t allow us much fun time, so with this win, we will definitely make this moment a celebratory experience.”

Ganglani added, “as grade six students, for us to win this competition was a great feat. We worked hard, now it is time for us to play hard, and this day pass will certainly give us the opportunity to celebrate this success. This competition truly tested our commitment to applying all that we have done and to be quick in our thinking and responses. Thanks much to the Ministry of Education and our coaches for a competition like this as it will help us with being more confident even under pressure.”

Captions

Header: Beaches Turks and Caicos resort Public Relations Manager Orville Morgan (centre) is flanked by Primary School Mathematics champions Vivian Castleton (left) Shlok Ganglani from the International School of the Turks and Caicos Islands with their first place prizes

1st insert: Beaches Turks and Caicos resort Public Relations Manager Orville Morgan (left) presents the first prize gift from the resort to Breanna Mighty from the Clement Howell High school mathematics champions at the resort

2nd insert: Peterson Saint Fleurant (right) member of the Clement Howell High school championship team in the recently held Department of Education mathematics competition accepts his first place gift from Beaches Turks and Caicos resort Public Relations Manager Orville Morgan