Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Tuesday, 22 April 2025: The Department of Special Education Needs Services is proud to release its 2025 Quarter 1 Newsletter covering the period of January through March, showcasing the tireless efforts, accomplishments, and continued commitment to advancing inclusive education and support services for students with special needs across the Turks and Caicos Islands.

This issue features major highlights, including:

• The launch of awareness campaigns for Down Syndrome and Autism
• Speech Camps under our partnership with Therapy Abroad
• The successful Special Education Teacher Training, held in collaboration with the Department of Education
• Impactful outreach events such as Kick for Inclusion.

The newsletter also celebrates the dedication of administrative teams, spotlights one of our spectacular students, and includes insightful articles to assist parents with students with diverse learning needs.

In her remarks, Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, stated, “This newsletter is more than a reflection of activities—it’s a testament to the progress we’re making in creating an inclusive education system that serves every child. From strengthening our human capital through training and international partnerships to expanding access to therapy, we are investing in the future of our nation. I commend the team at the Department of Special Education Needs Services for their relentless passion and dedication. Together, we are laying the foundation for a stronger, more inclusive TCI.”

The Department of Special Education Needs Services remains committed to transparency, collaboration, and continuous improvement. We invite all stakeholders to read, share, and stay informed about the important work happening behind the scenes to support learners with special needs.

The full newsletter is now available via the link https://isu.pub/PMUWu9W and will be circulated to all stakeholders.

For more information, please contact the Department of Special Education Needs Services at sens@gov.tc.

Kingston, Jamaica, April 15, 2025 – More than 100,000 candidates from across the region have been registered to sit more than 600,000 subject entries in the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) May/June 2025 external tests.

This was disclosed by Registrar and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Wayne Wesley, during a hybrid press conference on Tuesday (April 15), which coincided with the start of this year’s examination period.

It gets under way with the customary oral exams in modern foreign languages, including Spanish, French and Portuguese.

Dr. Wesley informed that the CXC team has worked hard to ensure that all is in place for the successful administration of the examinations, and offered best wishes to all the candidates.

“This will be another mammoth undertaking by CXC, but we are equal to the task. This is the culmination of many months of sacrifice, learning, studying and preparation. I encourage all our candidates to apply themselves and give their best effort. As you approach these examinations, remember to be cool, to be calm and to be confident that your preparation will take you through. You’ve got this,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Wesley advised that, effective 2026, all examinations administered during the January sessions will be offered electronically, either as e-assessment or hybrid e-assessment.

“In situations where candidates are unable to write their examinations electronically, they will be accommodated in the May/June sessions, where both paper-based and e-assessment will be administered,” he said.

Dr. Wesley assured that CXC will continue to execute its digital transformation strategy, specifically relating to the electronic assessment.

Meanwhile, CXC’s Director of Operations, Dr. Nicole Manning, informed that written exams for the 2025 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) tests commence on May 1. These will end on June 6 for CSEC and June 11 for CAPE.

Contact: Chris Patterson

Release: JIS

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