PRESS STATEMENT

FROM THE Ministry of Education, Youth, SPORTS, and Culture

Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4   

Turks and Caicos, October 29, 2024 – The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture is deeply saddened by the passing of a form 5 student, Lizander Francis, of the HJ Robinson High School.  This is indeed a very unfortunate incident, and we extend sympathy to the family, principal, staff and students of the school.

The Ministry is committed to doing everything to lend support to the family, student population and staff.  As an immediate response, the Student Support Services (a multiagency initiative) has been activated, where debriefing sessions are being conducted with all students and teachers.  The Department of Social Development and the Department of Behavioural Health Services together with Guidance Counselors across Grand Turk have been mobilized to provide psychological first aid to all affected persons.  In the coming days, continued group and individual intervention sessions will be extended to students and staff at HJ Robinson High School.   

Lizander Francis was a Fifth Form student at the HJ Robinson High School and a member of the Cadet Corps.  He was a very jovial young man who cared about his classmates and his friends.  He was well mannered, kind, respectful, diligent and full of promise. 

The Honorable Rachel M. Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Cultureand the team from the Ministry, Departments and all schools, extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Lizander Francis during this time of profound loss.  The Minister stated, “The loss of a child is an unimaginable sorrow, and our hearts naturally seek understanding in moments like these.   I commend you to Almighty God and encourage you to find strength and comfort in trusting Him.”

We know that this is an incredibly difficult time for the school and larger community as it is still a shock to lose someone in such a tragic manner.  The Ministry of Education through its Student Support Services continues to provide emotional and psychological support and we urge all our students who are in need of intervention to use the services available to them including the Student Support Services Hotline number 232-SAFE (7233).  The Ministry considers its responsibility for the safety and well-being of children of utmost importance.

School was dismissed today at 12:00 PM  and will continue at normal hours tomorrow.