Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Thursday, 17 September 2026: The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture has partnered with the Turks and Caicos Islands Elections Department to bring an exciting national election experience directly to high school students across the country with the launch of the 2026 National Student Council (NSC) Election.

Held under the theme “Your Voice. Your Country. Your Future.”, the initiative will give students from all 14 public and private high schools the chance to campaign, vote and compete for national student leadership positions, while gaining first-hand experience of the electoral process.

Minister of Education, Hon. Rachel Taylor, said the initiative gives young people a national platform to share their ideas and develop their leadership skills.

“Our young people have ideas, opinions and perspectives that deserve to be heard, and this election gives them a national platform to use their voices in a meaningful way. We want our students to step forward with confidence, share the issues that matter to them and experience what it means to lead and represent others.” She continued, “I am particularly excited to see students from schools across the Turks and Caicos Islands getting involved, supporting their candidates and participating in the voting process. I encourage every school to embrace this opportunity and help us create an experience that our students will learn from and enjoy.”

Each high school will nominate one student candidate to represent their school at the national level. Candidates will campaign for the positions of President and Vice President, sharing their ideas, priorities and plans with student voters across the Turks and Caicos Islands. Both positions will be decided by electronic vote among high school students across the country.

The remaining four positions on the six-member National Student Council:  Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer and Public Relations Officer. will be determined through an internal vote among the top candidates following the national election.

The election will mirror several elements of the Turks and Caicos Islands’ electoral process. Candidates will choose a party name, colour and symbol, develop a manifesto and campaign slogan, and make their case to student voters. Their names, party information and symbols will appear on an electronic ballot, giving students the opportunity to experience the process as both candidates and voters.

Acting Elections Supervisor Willette Pratt stated that the timing of the initiative is particularly significant as the country continues its focus on civic awareness and youth participation.

“Coming on the heels of Constitution Day and as we prepare to celebrate National Youth Week this September, this is a timely opportunity to put civic education into practice. We want young people to understand that democracy is not only about casting a vote; it is about being informed, participating and understanding that their voice matters. We are excited to see our schools and students embrace the experience.”

Once students are selected and endorsed by their school, candidates must submit a completed Candidate Information Form, a Student Manifesto of no more than 250 words, and a 45- to 60-second Campaign Video PSA introducing themselves and outlining the issues and priorities they hope to champion.

Candidates are expected to campaign fairly and respectfully, focusing on ideas, student issues and their plans as aspiring student leaders. Personal attacks, bullying, false or misleading information, and offering gifts or incentives in exchange for votes are prohibited. Breaches of the campaign code of conduct may result in the loss of campaign privileges or disqualification.

For candidates, it is a chance to share their ideas and test their leadership skills on a national platform. For student voters, it is an opportunity to have a say in who represents them and experience the electoral process first-hand.

With candidate selection underway, the Elections Department and Ministry of Education are looking forward to seeing students step forward, bring their ideas to the campaign and, ultimately, seeing young voters across the country make their choice at the ballot.

The 2026 National Student Council Election is an opportunity for young people to do more than learn about leadership and democracy — it gives them the chance to take part. Your Voice. Your Country. Your Future.

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: The Department of Education, through its Curriculum Development Unit, successfully concluded a four-day TCI National Standards Secondary School Curriculum Implementation Training, bringing together secondary school teachers, curriculum officers, education officials, facilitators and key stakeholders in preparation for the piloting of the Turks and Caicos Islands’ draft national secondary curricula.

The training focused on Social Studies, Mathematics, English Language and General Science. Teachers explored the draft curricula, learning objectives, content, instructional approaches and assessment expectations, while considering how the standards can be translated into meaningful classroom practice. The curricula are grounded in research, educational data, national priorities, comparative curriculum analysis and the distinctive context of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Honourable Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, commended Mrs Cleon Astwood, Head of the Curriculum Development Unit, and her team for their dedication and the significant progress made in developing the National Standards Curricula for secondary education. She also recognised the invaluable contribution of educators across the Turks and Caicos Islands, whose professional expertise, classroom experience, and feedback are essential to ensuring that the curricula are relevant, responsive, and aligned with the evolving needs of TCI learners.

“The development of our National Standards Curricula is an important investment in the future of our children and, ultimately, in the future of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Education must continue to evolve to meet the changing needs of our learners, our society, and our economy. Our teachers are at the heart of this process. Their knowledge, professional experience, and insight from the classroom are critical to ensuring that the curricula we develop are academically sound, relevant to our local context, and practical to implement. I commend our Curriculum Development Unit and our educators for the tremendous work being undertaken and for their continued commitment to strengthening the quality of education we provide to every child in the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

Educators were also addressed by Mr James Astwood, Permanent Secretary; Mr Mark Garland, Director of Education; and Ms Elisann Delancy, Deputy Director of Education, who emphasised embracing change, professional collaboration and continuous improvement.

A central focus of the training was the role teachers will play during the pilot phase. Teachers were encouraged to critically engage with the draft documents, paying attention to the clarity and appropriateness of objectives, sequencing and progression, instructional time, resources, gaps, omissions and areas requiring clarification or revision. Their classroom experiences and documented feedback will help strengthen the curricula before finalisation and national implementation.

The Social Studies session also emphasised Local Studies. A panel featuring Mrs Lisa Talbot of the Turks and Caicos National Museum, Dr Carlton Mills, Mrs Joan Astwood-Sutton and Ms Cynclair Musgrove provided historical and cultural perspectives to support accurate, culturally relevant classroom instruction.

Mrs Cleon Astwood noted: “Curriculum development cannot take place in isolation from the teachers who will ultimately bring these documents to life. As they pilot these documents, we expect them to question, test, reflect and provide meaningful feedback. Constructive professional dialogue is necessary if we are to produce strong, relevant curricula that genuinely meet the needs of our students and our education system.”

With the training concluded, participating teachers will now implement and evaluate the draft curricula in authentic classroom settings, document strengths and challenges, and submit recommendations to the Curriculum Development Unit. The Department of Education extends its appreciation to all teachers, school leaders, facilitators, historians, stakeholders and Ministry and Department officials who contributed to the successful four-day exercise.

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands 5 August 2026 — Dr. Candice Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC), has been appointed First Vice-President of the Association of Caribbean Higher Education Administrators (ACHEA) for the 2026–2028 term.

The appointment followed elections held during ACHEA’s Annual General Meeting on 2 July 2026 at the Breezes Resort & Spa in Nassau, The Bahamas. The newly elected Executive officially assumed office on 1 August 2026.

ACHEA is a regional professional association that brings together higher education administrators and professionals from institutions across the Caribbean. The Association provides an important platform for regional collaboration, professional development, knowledge-sharing and the advancement of effective leadership and administration within the higher education sector.

This year holds special significance for the Association as ACHEA celebrates its 25th anniversary, marking a quarter-century of service to higher education leadership and institutional development across the region. The milestone reflects the organisation’s sustained growth, expanding influence and continued commitment to strengthening tertiary education systems throughout the Caribbean and beyond.

Dr. Williams’s appointment as First Vice-President represents a significant professional achievement and a proud milestone for TCICC and the wider Turks and Caicos Islands. It positions the country’s higher education leadership at the forefront of regional dialogue and initiatives aimed at strengthening institutional governance, improving administrative practices and addressing emerging priorities within Caribbean tertiary education.

In her role as First Vice-President, Dr. Williams will support the President and Executive in advancing the Association’s strategic objectives, strengthening engagement among member institutions and contributing to initiatives that promote excellence, innovation and sustainable development throughout the regional higher education sector.

The Honourable Rachel Marshall Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, congratulated Dr. Williams on the appointment, noting that her elevation reflects both her distinguished leadership and the growing influence of the Turks and Caicos Islands within the regional education community.

“On behalf of the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, I extend heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Candice Williams on her appointment as First Vice-President of ACHEA. This achievement is a testament to her exemplary leadership, professionalism and unwavering commitment to the advancement of higher education. Her appointment is also a proud moment for the Turks and Caicos Islands, as it ensures that our national perspectives and experiences will continue to contribute meaningfully to important regional discussions. We are confident that Dr. Williams will serve with distinction and make a valuable contribution to the continued growth and development of higher education administration throughout the Caribbean.”

Following the Minister’s remarks, Mrs Sheba Wilson, Chairman of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College Board of Govenors, also commended Dr. Williams’s appointment, highlighting the broader institutional and regional significance of her leadership role.

The Chairman reflected on the importance of sustained representation at the regional level and the College’s growing engagement within Caribbean higher education networks.

“Dr. Williams’s appointment to the ACHEA Executive is a clear reflection of the calibre of leadership we are fortunate to have at the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College. It also underscores the increasing visibility and respect that our institution and country are earning within regional higher education circles. We are especially proud that TCICC continues to contribute meaningfully to shaping conversations that influence the future of tertiary education across the Caribbean.”

Dr. Williams’s appointment also reinforces TCICC’s commitment to strengthening regional partnerships, sharing institutional expertise and contributing to the development of responsive and innovative higher education systems. Her participation at the executive level will provide further opportunities for TCICC to engage with regional institutions, exchange best practices and help shape approaches to the challenges and opportunities facing tertiary education across the Caribbean.

A notable moment in ACHEA’s recent history was the 2025 Annual Conference, which Dr. Williams had the privilege of hosting in the Turks and Caicos Islands. This marked the first time the Association convened its flagship conference in the TCI, welcoming more than 100 higher education administrators, researchers and thought leaders from across the Caribbean, North America and Africa to the destination. The event was widely regarded as a resounding success and is now recognised as a defining milestone in the Association’s development as it moves into its 25th anniversary year.

Reflecting on her appointment, Dr. Williams expressed gratitude for the confidence placed in her and reaffirmed her commitment to supporting the work of the Association.

“I am deeply honoured to have been entrusted with the responsibility of serving as First Vice-President of ACHEA. I am grateful to the Association’s membership for the confidence placed in me and look forward to working alongside the President, fellow Executive members and higher education professionals throughout the region. This appointment provides an important opportunity to strengthen collaboration, promote innovative administrative practices and support the continued development of institutions that are responsive to the needs of Caribbean learners and communities. I am also proud to represent the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and the wider Turks and Caicos Islands as we contribute to the advancement of higher education across the region.”

The newly elected ACHEA Executive for the 2026–2028 term comprises:

• President: Dr. Helen Williams-Cumberbatch
• First Vice-President: Dr. Candice Williams
• Second Vice-President: Ms Louri Clare
• Secretary: Mrs Kasiane Reid-Martin
• Assistant Secretary: Ms Sanielle Hinds
• Treasurer: Ms Michelle Bruce
• Assistant Treasurer: Dr. Courtney Garrick
• Public Relations Officer: Ms Nataki Kerr
• Assistant Public Relations Officer: Ms Alison Johnson

In a statement announcing the newly elected Executive, ACHEA extended its sincere appreciation to all members who participated in the election process and acknowledged the outgoing Executive members for their exemplary leadership, commitment and dedicated service throughout the previous term.

The full Executive, including members appointed to co-opted positions, will be introduced shortly.

Dr. Williams previously served as Second Vice-President of ACHEA. Her elevation to First Vice-President reflects the confidence of the Association’s membership in her leadership, experience and continued contribution to the advancement of higher education administration throughout the Caribbean.