Education
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, YOUTH, SPORTS, AND CULTURE STRENGTHENS EARLY INTERVENTION INITIATIVES WITH TRAINING FOR K1 AND SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 20th May 2024 – On Friday, 17th May 2024, the Special Education Needs Officer of the Education Department, Mrs. Faiada James, organized a pivotal training opportunity for K1 and Special Education teachers from across the Turks & Caicos Islands. This training, facilitated by the Coordinator Assessments, Mrs. Lashaunda Skippings, underscores the Ministry of Education’s commitment to enhancing early intervention strategies within the education system.
The training initiative provided educators with comprehensive sessions on General Soft Skills for Screening Exercises, followed by hands-on training for the administration of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ). The ASQ is a developmental screening tool designed to identify children’s strengths and areas where they may need additional support. It evaluates five key areas: communication, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, problem-solving, and personal-social skills. Early intervention facilitated by the ASQ is crucial as it allows for timely identification of developmental delays, enabling educators and parents to provide targeted support and resources. This proactive approach significantly enhances children’s developmental outcomes, paving the way for their future academic and social success.
“The training was an enriching experience for our teachers,” stated Mrs. Faiada James. “We are equipping our educators with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively identify and support the developmental needs of our youngest learners. This initiative is a crucial step in our commitment to providing inclusive education for all.” The training was also attended by the Teacher Development and Training Education Officer, Dr. Keran Williams, and Early Childhood Education Officer, Ms. Heidi Williams.
Mrs. Lashaunda Skippings emphasized the importance of this tool, stating, “The Ages and Stages Questionnaire is instrumental in our early intervention efforts. By identifying developmental delays early, we can implement strategies and support systems that significantly improve a child’s developmental trajectory. This training ensures that our teachers are well-prepared to utilize the ASQ effectively.”
As part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to refresh and reinforce the use of screening tools in schools, all students entering K1 this September will undergo developmental screening using the ASQ. This initiative reflects the overall commitment to ensuring that every
child has the best possible start to their educational journey. Director of Special Education Needs Services, Dr. Anya Malcolm-Gibbs, remarked, “seeing such a strong turnout of 30 teachers from across TCI is truly inspiring. Early screening and intervention are key components of our strategy to provide comprehensive support.”
Minister of Education, Hon. Rachel Taylor concluded, “I am immensely proud of the dedication shown by our educators. The ASQ training exemplifies our commitment to ensuring that every child in the Turks and Caicos Islands can succeed. By identifying and addressing developmental delays early, we are laying a strong foundation for the future of our children and our nation.”
The Ministry of Education is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment. By equipping our teachers with the necessary skills and tools, we are taking significant steps towards improving educational outcomes for all students, particularly those with special needs. This training underscores the collective effort to improve early childhood education and ensure that all children in the Turks and Caicos Islands have access to the support they need to thrive.
Education
The Department of Special Education Needs Services Releases First Quarter Newsletter for 2025, highlighting key milestones
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Tuesday, 8 April 2025: The Department of Rehabilitation and Community Supervision (DRCS), in proud partnership with the Rotary Club of Providenciales and Toastmasters International, hosted its 2nd Annual
High School Speech Competition under the theme: “Turning Setbacks into Comebacks: The Power of a Second Chance.”
There were eight (8) schools from across the Turks and Caicos Islands that participated in this year’s event. These students spoke with eloquence, conviction, and compassion as they explored the importance of offender rehabilitation and the transformative power of second chances. The top three winners of the competition were:
- 1st Place: Reriana Nikes – Clement Howell High School
- 2nd Place: Anique Archer – Maranatha Academy
- 3rd Place: Damian Missick – Louise Garland Thomas High School
Director of Rehabilitation, Mr Jaron Harvey, shared his pride in the students and the broader mission of the event: “This competition is a reflection of how deeply our young people understand the issues of justice, rehabilitation, and redemption. Their words challenge us to build systems that don’t just punish, but also restore. Seeing students from every island come together to speak so boldly about second chances and rehabilitation reminds us why we do this work. The future of our country is in good hands.”
Minister of Public Safety and Utilities, Hon. Otis Morris, said: “I extend congratulations to all the students who participated in this year’s competition. You represented your schools and your islands with distinction, and your voices added incredible depth to this national conversation. The theme of this year’s event speaks directly to the heart of justice and hope. We all make mistakes, but none of us are beyond the reach of grace. Rehabilitation is not solely about punishment; it’s about helping individuals find their way back to society as better people. When we support rehabilitation, we address crime at its root and create a pathway for true transformation.”
The 2nd Annual Speech Competition reflects DRCS’s ongoing mission to change the national narrative around rehabilitation and to foster youth engagement in the national dialogue on crime. As part of the Department’s observance of Second Chance Month, the competition serves both as a platform for student expression and as a call to action for the wider community.
The Department extends special thanks to all participating schools, teachers, judges, partners, and sponsors who made the event a success.
CAPTIONS:
1st insert: DRCS Staff and Hon. Otis Morris
2nd insert: L-R (Hon. Otis Morris, 1st Place Winner- Rerianna Nikes, Mrs. Roma Stubbs President of Rotary Club of Providenciales,
and Hon. Rachel Taylor)
3rd insert: Participants of the Speech Competition
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