Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands 16^th November 2024 – The Special Education Needs and Services (SENS) Department is proud to announce the successful completion of its Speech Camp, held in Grand Turk from Nov. 4^th – 8^th, 2024. This initiative aimed to provide targeted speech therapy support to children with communication challenges, equipping them with essential skills for personal and academic success.

The camp, facilitated in collaboration with Therapy Abroad, offered group-based activities focusing on speech and language development. Children engaged in interactive sessions designed to improve articulation, comprehension, and social communication. The department also hosted a parent-training session aimed at providing parents with strategies to reinforce these skills at home, fostering ongoing progress beyond the sessions.

The Coordinator of Assessments, Mrs. Lashaunda Skippings, who oversaw all the logistics of the camp, emphasized its importance: “This Speech Camp was a carefully planned initiative aimed at addressing the growing demand for speech therapy in Grand Turk. The success of the camp reflects the dedication of our team and partners in providing quality services. We are grateful to the parents and children for their active participation and look forward to building on this momentum in future programs.”

The Minister of Education, Youth, Sports, and Culture, Hon. Rachel M. Taylor, expressed pride in the department’s ongoing efforts “The government is committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of ability, has access to the resources they need to thrive. The Speech Camp in Grand Turk is a testament to our continued investment in the well-being and development of all our children. I commend the SENS Department and its partners for their outstanding work in continuing to bring this initiative to life.”

As part of its commitment to expanding services to meet the growing needs of the community, the SENS Department will welcome two speech therapy interns in January. They will serve Grand Turk and South Caicos on six-month rotations, further enhancing accessibility to critical interventions in these communities. The Director of SENS, Dr. Anya Malcolm-Gibbs, highlighted the department’s broader mission: “This Speech Camp is just one of several targeted initiatives we will run several times per year. From behavioral intervention to neurodevelopmental assessments, our camps are designed to address the specific needs of our children and provide families with tools to support them. We are proud of the impact these programs have and remain committed to expanding our services across the islands.”

The SENS Department encourages all parents to register their children with the department. Registration ensures that your child can be included in future camps, therapy, and assessment initiatives, providing them with vital opportunities for growth and development. For more information, please contact sens@gov.tc and follow our social media pages @sens_tci.

PRESS RELEASE

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR 

AND HEAD OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 1^st November 2024 – In a remarkable display of dedication and academic excellence, six members of the Statistical Authority (Formerly the Statistics Department) have successfully graduated with Masters Degrees in Development (MSc) Statistics from the University of the West Indies. Notably, this impressive cohort includes the Director, Mr. Shirlen Forbes, and the two Deputy Directors, Miss Sabrina Williams and Miss Wendera Seymour, along with Miss Alex Bennett – Senior Statistician, Mrs. Kia Swann – Statistician and Miss Cierra Garland – Statistician, underscoring the authority’s commitment to continuous professional growth and capacity building.

The MSc in Development Statistics program, which these graduates completed, is designed to train official statisticians. It equips students with the capacity to undertake quantitative analyses that inform social and economic decision-making initiatives, particularly in the realm of development policy. The program offers two areas of specialization: Social and Demographic Statistics and Survey Research.

The graduation ceremony was a proud moment, celebrating the hard work and determination of these individuals who are poised to make a significant and positive impact on development policies and practices in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service H. E. Anya Williams, who attended the graduation ceremony, congratulated the graduates, stating, “On Friday, October 25, 2024, joined by the Permanent Secretary of Finance Mrs. Athenee Harvey-Basden and newly appointed Chair of the Statistics Authority Pastor Bradley Handfield, I was proud to witness the commencement ceremony of our Statistics Authority graduates to celebrate the hard work and determination of these individuals who are poised to make a significant impact on development policies and practices in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Their achievement is a testament to their dedication, hard work, and resilience. Completing a Master’s program with a full-time job is no small feat. For that, I commend the entire cohort of graduates. I would especially like to recognize the leadership and dedication of Director Forbes, who has, throughout his career, including as an educator, always advocated for learning and for the higher development of the Turks and Caicos Islands. He has always made it a priority to mentor and empower his staff.”, added the H.E. Anya Williams.

“H.E. Anya Williams further explained, “This graduation represents much more than an individual achievement; it signifies a collective advancement for the Statistical Authority and our Public Service. As education and training are critical components of our success, I am pleased that the Office of the Deputy Governor was able to provide partial assistance to this important initiative. I encourage our recent graduates to continue striving for excellence as they take on new challenges in their careers and make meaningful contributions to society. We are extremely proud of you and look forward to cheering you on in your future successes!”

Meanwhile, Mr. Shirlen Forbes, Director of the Statistical Authority, expressed immense pride in his team upon their graduation. He stated, “I am incredibly proud of my colleagues who have demonstrated immense commitment, perseverance, and determination in achieving this significant milestone. Their hard work speaks volumes about the calibre of individuals we have within the authority. This accomplishment enhances their professional qualifications and elevates our capacity to provide accurate and insightful data that drives meaningful policy decisions and supports sustainable development in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Undoubtedly, they will utilize their enhanced skills—particularly in areas like Social and Demographic Statistics and Survey Research—to tackle the challenges ahead and contribute positively to our mission.”

The six graduates received funding from the Professional Development Fund through the Office of the Deputy Governor. This highlights the vital support provided to enhance professional growth within the Public Service.

We share in the pride of the graduates on this outstanding achievement! Your success is a testament to the strength and potential of our organization.

PRESS RELEASE

FROM THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

YOUTH, SPORTS, AND CULTURE

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 25^th October 2024 – The Hon. Rachel M. Taylor, Minister of Education, is representing the Turks and Caicos Islands at the 48th meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) focused on Education, taking place on October 24-25, 2024, in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

The COHSOD Education Meeting brings together ministers of education, policy makers, and stakeholders from various Caribbean nations to discuss critical issues affecting education across the region. This year’s agenda includes enhancing educational frameworks, promoting inclusive education, and integrating technology into learning environments.

Minister Taylor is committed to advancing educational initiatives that align with the goals of equitable and quality education for all. During the meeting, she aims to discuss the Turks and Caicos Islands’ successful strategies and explore collaborative opportunities with fellow ministers to address common challenges in education.

“I am cherishing the opportunity to engage with my counterparts and exchange ideas that will enable us to better serve our students,” said Minister Taylor. “Together, we can create innovative solutions that will strengthen our educational systems across the Caribbean.”

The meeting provides an important platform for advocating policies that foster collaboration and implementation of effective educational practices. Updates from the meeting will be shared following the conclusion of the event.  This meeting follows the Transforming Education Symposium held in Grand Cayman earlier this month.

For more information, please contact the Policy and Planning Unit in the Ministry of Education – (649)338-3134