Deandrea Hamilton
Editor

Turks and Caicos, December 11, 2024 – The recently held Special Needs Conference hosted by the TCI Department of Special Education Needs Services (SENS) exposed participants to three dynamic speakers with the aim of ushering in an era of progress and change in special education.

In her remarks to open the event which was held on November 22 at Brayton Hall, Dr Anya Malcolm, SENS Director said the event is a reflection of the audacity and success of the department since its inception at the start of the year.

“This conference is about so much more than just presentations, it’s about breaking barriers, shifting mindsets and building a future where no child is left behind,” said Dr. Malcolm.

Dr. Sally Rogers, Mrs. Yolande Robinson, and Mrs. Sheryl Patterson were named as the speakers, tackling the topics: Understanding Autism: Evidence based interventions and practical strategies for home and classroom; Understanding Learning differences: Cognitive, Emotional aspects of Special Education Needs and Collaborative Approaches to Supporting Students with Special Needs.

“These individuals are not just experts, they are trailblazers in their fields and we are deeply honoured to have them with us today. They will challenge us to think differently, inspire us with their insights and arm us with strategies to better serve the children and families at the heart of our work. A special education conference like this is not just relevant, it is urgent.”

The theme for the conference was: “Inclusive Education, Bridging Gaps, Building Futures.”

The director explained the timeliness of the event, announcing that the demand for quality special needs education is growing in the Turks and Caicos; she described the focus on improving these offerings as urgent.

“When I took on the role of director, I saw both the potential and the challenges. Special Education wasn’t celebrated, it was sidelined.

The SNAP center had children but no real structure, no principal and two teachers. Today, we have 21 remarkable children enrolled, a growing waiting list, a dedicated principal and five passionate special education teachers. What was once stigmatised is now a source of pride. Now it’s celebrated as it should be,” informed the director.

Today, the SENS Department has served more than 250 children in therapy and special camps since its inception. Additionally, eight professional teams have conducted assessments, evaluations and interventions within the islands.

“Some of these children have waited years to be seen.”

The director informed those registered for the conference that the department is committed to getting things done.

“This is not boasting, this is confidence. Confidence built on results, on teamwork, on a vision that refuses to settle for less than excellence. And let me be clear, this is not a one woman show. It takes a village, and I am proud to say that we have built one. To my team, you have worked tirelessly to make today and every initiative since January 2024, a success.”

Director, Dr. Anya Malcolm reiterated her message that the infrastructure for special needs education is under robust construction; no child, she said, will be left behind and all children in the education system of the Turks and Caicos will be given the opportunity to shine

The Bahamas, December 9, 2024 – In June of 2022, Prime Minister Philip Davis attended the Summit of the Americas, where regional migration was one of the items on the agenda.

During the Summit, countries were asked to sign a declaration on migration, which included language suggesting that countries support and host undocumented migrants.

The Bahamas did not sign this declaration, although 20 countries in the region did.

The Prime Minister made it clear to President Jo Biden that our country will not bear this burden.  We need to devote Bahamian resources to solving Bahamian problems.

Earlier this week, NBC News and other media reported that the Trump transition team is proposing a list of countries to which it may deport migrants, and that The Bahamas, along with other nations in the region, was included on the list.

Our office released a statement in response to the list and proposal as reported by the media, and restated our country’s position, which is that we are unwilling and unable to accept migrants.

To be clear, our office responded to the proposal as characterized by the press, rather than any formal proposal made to us by President-elect Trump’s transition team, with whom we have not discussed the matter.

Our countries have long enjoyed a strong, productive relationship based on mutual interests.

We look forward to engaging constructively across a range of important issues with the incoming Trump Administration.

Deandrea Hamilton 

Editor

Turks and Caicos, December 2, 2024 – The Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, as the country’s Minister of Finance tabled a Bill, which he said is designed to press the “reset button” for those falling behind on their National Insurance Board payments.  In a House of Assembly meeting on November 14, Hon Washington Misick announced a plan to give contributors six months to catch up on arrears.

Eight days later, on November 22, 2024 the NATIONAL INSURANCE (ADDITIONAL CHARGES) (AMNESTY) ORDINANCE 2024 Bill came into force, after having been placed in the Gazette.

“The bill Mr. Speaker, is really geared toward assisting businesses, but especially MSME entities whether they be corporate or sole traders (particularly MSME’s) . It seeks to provide for the waiver for additional charge of late payment of National Insurance contributions by employees or self employed persons, additional charge is what we refer to as penalties and then of course the interest as well.”

The premier says Employers and the Self-Employed now have until May 31, 2025 to settle their balances in order to be compliant with the requirements of the National Insurance Ordinance.

By way of explanation, Premier Misick added, “The contribution is what is owed or what would be payable on every payroll, every person who is earning a salary or a wage.  That is the contribution. The additional charges are penalties which arise as a result of not making those payments on time.  And then of course there is the interest aspect and then there is a penalty which is compounded as time goes forward.”

The amnesty will run six months; it begins on December 1, 2024.

“What we are advising you to do is to pay the contribution portions of those outstanding bills and then you have until the end of May to pay the penalties, meaning the additional charge; the interest and penalties.”

In her contribution on the Bill, Akierra Missick, the Member for Leeward and Long Bay electoral district offered the PNP Administration’s motive for the amnesty.

“Mr. Speaker it’s just another notch on the path in finding measures to mitigate the cost of living in these islands.  National Insurance is very important, and we might not see its importance today because the idea of the national insurance program is that it provides a social security safety net for the people who work and live in these islands,” said Hon Missick.

“There have been times where persons who are employing themselves, self employed persons may not have had the revenue that they should have had and/or decided that they would pay a Fortis bill instead of national insurance, and as a result when missed payments are made…”

The Member shared that this has led to civil claims in the Magistrate’s Court against those in default in order to force those payments.

“National Insurance is the most important institution we have in the islands, because National Insurance provides us an opportunity to make decisions today for our future selves.  That is our pension, our retirement, our NIB cheque when they reach the age 60 or 65.”

The member explained that workers who are injured can claim disability, all women contributors and fathers can access maternity leave benefits and in recent years, an unemployment benefit was added to the list of advantages.

“This Bill gives an opportunity to give persons time to catch up on the arrears, the penalties that they owe the national insurance, it also provides them an opportunity to come forward.

As a practicing attorney, Akierra Missick cautioned those who are meant to benefit from the amnesty not to take the offer for granted or underestimate the need to maintain payments into the plan.

“These are measures we are seeking to put in place to assist persons who are finding the burden of their debt, their penalties – those concerns – on top of their normal day to day operations and/or bills,” said Missick who added, “This administration has continuously, continuously over the last three and a half, almost four years done right by the people.

Grand Turk got the COVID $10,000 fund, that was a million dollars Cruise Grant.  It’s not about money,I know a lot of people are saying that you think you can buy us off.  It’s not about that in any way, shape or form – you’re a taxpayer, so your government is giving you back some of your tax money. That is literally what it is.”

The member for Leeward and Long Bay swatted away charges by the Opposition PDM that her party was manipulating the public purse.  She described the National Insurance Additional Charges Amnesty Bill as “good,” and in keeping with the PNP Administration’s regular consideration of the impact of inflation on the local population; “it is not a political ploy.”

The outstanding contributions can be paid to the NIB in full or installments during the amnesty period.  No civil litigation will take place against a contributor who owes the NIB during this time, explained the Premier.