Education & Labour get $51 Million in New Budget touts Minister Taylor

By Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, May 23, 2023 – With a massive 21 percent  increase, reflecting $51 million in allocations to her ministerial portfolio this financial year, Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education is promising upgrades to education, special needs, sports and more as the PNP attempts to craft a lasting legacy in these sectors.

Education

Taylor promised to take Special Needs, which was moved to her Ministry on April 1st, to the next level with the new injection of cash.  Included in this budget is $100,000  for a new wheelchair access van for the SNAP Centre. a $900, 000 allocation for refurbishment of the Special Needs Centre and a $1 million allocation for hiring staff including specialists.

Another $500,000 is allocated for the internship program to continue.  Taylor provided updates for residents regarding this.

“There are many students who are currently on the apprenticeship program and doing well.  They have done so well that during the first two months they were hired permanently.” She said

Also budgeted was $3 million for international scholarships, $425,000  for UWI contributions and $6.4 million for the Turks and Caicos Community College which now offers free tuition.

For the National Daycare Program $457 000 has been allotted along with $513,000 for the National After-School Program.  In addition  $600 000 has been set aside to hire more teachers to alleviate the current shortage; $150,000 for textbooks; $172,000 is slated for bus services in Providenciales and more

Youth

Taylor responded to the evidence of multiple cuts in youth activities across sectors (pointed out by Edwin Astwood, Leader of the Opposition) maintaining that there were more employees to carry out those activities even without more cash.

“He did not see an increase in the overall amount that we give to youth but I must remind him that we have seen an increase in man count to assist the cadet program within the ministry of youth. Our programs will not materialise unless we have the manpower.” she said.

“It doesn’t have to be directly under the Youth budget.  This year is all about our youth.” Taylor stressed

She gave evidence of this in the upcoming the creation of a National Youth Agency and expansion of the cadet program

Sports 

A $3.7 million dollar aquatics centre under the Sports commission touted as a green initiative to be fueled by clean energy has been announced.  Also budgeted to improve local sports is a new set of vehicles for the sports commission, $500,000  for refurbishment of the South Caicos Sports field.  Another $1.5 million is set aside for community parks and recreation areas that will hopefully be put to use this year after years of failure to complete similar projects.

The Minister also revealed several new Capital projects were on the table to the tune of $3 million dollars in this financial year. They included:

• $ 700,000  for the expansion of the Victoria Public Library
•  $2.1 million for the renovation of the Alliance Business Centre
• $1.5 million for drainage upgrades at the HG Robinson High School
• $400,000 for furniture and equipment for various schools

Taylor stressed  that the budget was fulfilling the citizens’ contract: “This large sum of money will bring much progress, development and jobs,” she maintained.