MEDIA RELEASE

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: Beaches Turks and Caicos resort was the main sponsor for the second staging of the Ministry of Education Mathematics Quiz Competition held recently at the resort. Defending champions Clement Howell High and the International School of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) emerged the overall champions of the high and primary categories respectively.

The event spanned two days where 13 primary schools and six high schools matched wits to see which pair would be crowned mathematics champions for 2024.

The Caribbean’s leading family resort, provided the perfect location to host the more than 250 participants and supporters at one of its conference rooms. Beaches also sponsored the first place prizes to the top students.

At the end of three sessions of jeopardy style competition, the top three high schools were A Louise Garland High, third, Raymond Gardiner High, second, and 2024 champions Clement Howell High School. The primary staging saw Adelaide Oemler Primary copping the third place title, BEST Institute, second and International School of the TCI walking away with the first place title.

Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Social Services Hon. Rachel Taylor while lauding the planning team expressed gratitude to the sponsors for supporting education in the TCI. “Congratulations to every student who participated in this competition and the coaches who have committed their time in working with these youths. For us to be having this for the second year, Beaches Turks and Caicos continues to provide this ministry with the necessary support to help in the development of our youth and the nation at large. As our main sponsor, their support is helping to nurture a passion for mathematics among our young people which will ultimately contribute to the students’ advancement in the field.”

Managing Director James McAnally noted, “these children executed well even in this competitive environment and I must commend the coaches and their supporting team on how well they performed.”

While expressing appreciation to the resort for being the main sponsor for the event, Curriculum Development Officer, Elisann Delancy shared, “at the initial stage when Beaches Turks and Caicos confirmed their support for this event, my team knew that this year would be a success. And it certainly was an overwhelming success. The students, their teachers and supporters were comfortable for both days of the competition. We are anticipating a long lasting relationship with the resort as we look forward to the annual growth of this competition. Congratulations to every participant and special commendations to the 2024 champions as they look forward to celebrating this success with their families at the resort. Thank you Beaches Turks and Caicos and all our other sponsors.”

Primary school champions, Vivian Castleton and Shlok Ganglani while being happy for the crown are also looking towards experiencing the amenities at the resort with their day pass. Castleton noted, “I’m looking forward along with my family members and my friends to enjoying the amenities at Beaches Turks and Caicos and I know that we will be able to experience a most memorable time. The preparation for this competition didn’t allow us much fun time, so with this win, we will definitely make this moment a celebratory experience.”

Ganglani added, “as grade six students, for us to win this competition was a great feat. We worked hard, now it is time for us to play hard, and this day pass will certainly give us the opportunity to celebrate this success. This competition truly tested our commitment to applying all that we have done and to be quick in our thinking and responses. Thanks much to the Ministry of Education and our coaches for a competition like this as it will help us with being more confident even under pressure.”

Captions

Header: Beaches Turks and Caicos resort Public Relations Manager Orville Morgan (centre) is flanked by Primary School Mathematics champions Vivian Castleton (left) Shlok Ganglani from the International School of the Turks and Caicos Islands with their first place prizes

1st insert: Beaches Turks and Caicos resort Public Relations Manager Orville Morgan (left) presents the first prize gift from the resort to Breanna Mighty from the Clement Howell High school mathematics champions at the resort

2nd insert: Peterson Saint Fleurant (right) member of the Clement Howell High school championship team in the recently held Department of Education mathematics competition accepts his first place gift from Beaches Turks and Caicos resort Public Relations Manager Orville Morgan

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands 23^rd December 2024 – The Ministry of Education,  Youth, Sports & Culture is thrilled to announce the launch of our 2025 scholarship application season. This initiative offers students the incredible opportunity to broaden their academic and cultural horizons by studying at internationally acclaimed universities.

Your Journey Begins Today!

To ensure a seamless process, students are encouraged to follow these key steps:

Research (November)

• Students should review the Ministry of Education’s priority study areas and approved universities.
• Selecting a study area listed by the Ministry increases the likelihood of securing financial support.

Apply to University (December)

• Immediately gather all necessary documentation, such as transcripts.
• Apply early to receive your university offer letter promptly, allowing ample time to address any unforeseen delays.

Apply for Funding (January – May)

• Explore all available funding options, including the TCIG’s National Education Financial Assistance (NEFA) program.
• Submit applications for national scholarships as early as possible to avoid any last-minute issues.

Ministry Response (July)

• The Ministry of Education will inform applicants of their financial assistance status through the NEFA program by July 2025.

The Ministry of Education is excited to offer this opportunity for our students to pursue higher education at prestigious institutions around the world. We urge all interested students to start preparing now to ensure they meet all requirements and deadlines. Studying abroad can be a transformative experience, and we are committed to supporting our students every step of the way to ensure they make the most of this opportunity.”

For more information and detailed guidelines, please visit the Scholarship Secretariat’s website  at https://gov.tc/scholarshipsecretariat

By LEDEDRA MARCHE

Bahamas Information Services

GRAND BAHAMA, The Bahamas – Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey boasted that the new home of the University of The Bahamas North (UB-North) Campus will significantly contribute to the revitalization of Downtown Freeport.

Minister Moxey was speaking at the soft opening for the completion of Phase I of the UB-North rebuild project at the new campus, formerly known as the Kipling Building, on December 13, 2024.

She further stressed that the relocation of the campus to the heart of the Grand Bahama community following its devastation from Hurricane Dorian represents more than the renovation and construction of buildings.

“It means more accessible opportunities for residents in pursuit of higher learning to improve their quality of life and it represents a boost of activity and injection of revenue into our commercial centre,” she said.

Minister Moxey also thanked His Excellency Sebastian Bastian for his significant philanthropic contribution which made the day possible.

The Minister for Grand Bahama noted that she could not understate the vital role of UB-North in the economic growth and development of Grand Bahama Island and the entire Northern Bahamas.

UB’s presence Downtown, she added, will foster partnerships between the university and the business community, as well as government agencies and non-government organizations on initiatives that are focused on the social and cultural transformation of underserved communities on Grand Bahama.

A 15-member team from the Beautiful Grand Bahama Programme under her Ministry’s COLLAB Unit was also assigned to assist with the demolition, debris removal and cleaning of the campus.

“I am elated that the work done by Beautiful Grand Bahama has supported UB’s goal of returning the students to a campus where they can reconnect, have a sense of belonging and participate in an authentic university experience,” she said.

“To add to this, I see a very bright future for UB-North as a central economic driver creating a college town in the hub of Downtown Freeport.”

Minister Moxey pointed that the day marked a moment of celebration for UB executives, faculty, staff and students for soldiering on and believing in the realization of the new UB-North campus.

His Excellency Bastian, whose contribution is expected to total $5 million at the completion of the five-phased project, called It a celebration of a new day, adding that the students now have the new campus as a springboard to catapult themselves into a brighter and successful future.

“Today, students now can rest assured that this is just the beginning of so many more to come,” he said.

The completion of the project, renaming and commissioning of the new campus is expected to be completed by June 2025

President of the Board of Trustees Allyson Maynard-Gibson; Acting President of the University of The Bahamas Janyne Hodder and UB-North Campus Executive Vice-President Dr. Ian Strachan also brought remarks.

PHOTO CAPTION – The completion of Phase I of the University of The Bahamas North campus rebuild project in Downtown Freeport was marked with a soft opening and attended by Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey; His Excellency Sebastian Bastian; President of the Board of Trustees Allyson Maynard-Gibson; Acting President of the University of The Bahamas Janyne Hodder; UB-North Campus Executive Vice-President Dr. Ian Strachan and other dignitaries on December 13, 2024.

(BIS Photos/Andrew Miller)