News
Director of Special Education represents Turks & Caicos at the Inaugural Caribbean Disability Conference in Grenada
PRESS RELEASE
FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS SERVICES
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 22nd October 2024 – The inaugural Caribbean Disability Conference took place in Grenada on October 10th – 13th, bringing together leaders, advocates, and educators from across the region to address critical issues surrounding inclusion and support for persons with disabilities. Among the distinguished attendees was Dr. Anya Malcolm-Gibbs, Director
of Special Education Needs for Turks and Caicos, who had the opportunity to share key insights and initiatives currently being implemented in Turks & Caicos.
The conference served as a collaborative platform for discussing regional challenges, best practices, and policies aimed at advancing the rights and well-being of individuals with disabilities. With participants from countries such as the Bahamas, Belize, Guyana, Trinidad and the Cayman Islands, the event offered a wealth of shared experiences and learning opportunities.
“I am grateful for the chance to represent Turks and Caicos at this important conference,” said Dr. Any Malcolm-Gibbs. “It was an invaluable opportunity to highlight the work we are doing in special education, especially in the areas of inclusive teaching strategies, autism support, and advocacy for students with learning differences. In return, I was able to learn from the approaches being used by other countries, many of which have valuable lessons for us as we continue to enhance our programs.”
Mrs. Cherylann Jones, Permanent Secretary for Education, emphasized, “human capital development remains a crucial focus for our Ministry. This pillar supports our efforts to build capacity and improve service delivery. Participation in this conference will enable the Ministry to achieve our human development objectives, and we eagerly anticipate the knowledge transfer that will occur among Dr.
Malcolm-Gibbs and her team.”
The conference features key discussions on topics such as education, advocacy, disability laws, and overcoming barriers to inclusion. These sessions focused on fostering collaborative approaches to address challenges faced by persons with disabilities and promote greater inclusion within the Caribbean. Remarking on the conference, Minister for Education, Hon. Rachel M. Taylor, stated, “The Caribbean Disability Conference in Grenada has been a significant milestone in advancing inclusivity across the region. I am proud that our country was represented in these crucial discussions, which will shape the future of support for persons with disabilities in the Caribbean. This conference not only highlights the importance of collaboration but also strengthens our collective commitment to creating inclusive societies. I look forward to seeing how the insights gained will inform and enhance our work back home.”
For more information on the Department of Special Education Needs Services, you can contact sens@gov.tc.
The Bahamas, August 27, 2026 – The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to inform members of the public that several individuals are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 27th August 2026, at 12:00 noon.
The individuals and charges are as follows:
An 18-year-old female is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
Three (3) counts of Murder
Three (3) counts of Attempted Murder
Three (3) counts of Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
Three (3) counts of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm
Two (2) counts of Possession of Ammunition
Armed Robbery
Abetment to Armed Robbery
Stealing
Receiving
The charges stem from three separate shooting incidents and an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 21st August 2026, and Saturday, 22nd August 2026.
The first shooting occurred in the area of Soldier Road and Baillou Hill Road, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old male.
The second shooting occurred in the area of Joe Farrington Road, resulting in the death of a 52-year-old male.
The third shooting occurred in the area of Gladstone Road, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old male.
The armed robbery occurred at a business establishment in the area of Carmichael Road and Baillou Hill Road.
A 21-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on one charge of:
- Murder
The charge stems from a shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, in the area of Samson Street, Nassau Village, which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old male.
A 32-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
- Murder
- Attempted Murder
These charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, 24th December 2025, in the area of Graham Drive, Yellow Elder, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old male.
RBPF, PACD
by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for
journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”
Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”
Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.
The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.
Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.
Saunders believes AI can help.
He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.
He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.
His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”
For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.
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Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
