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Years in the Making, Turks & Caicos Opens Special Needs Department

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Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer 

 

#TurksandCaicos, March 3, 2024 – For years the curation of special needs services has been a community wide effort in the Turks and Caicos Islands, now the hard work has culminated in the launch of the Department of Special Education Needs Services (DSENS).

The department, entirely dedicated to special needs and headed by a Turks and Caicos Islander, was officially launched on February 27. Attending the event were Anya Williams, Acting Governor; Washington Misick, TCI Premier; Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, and dozens of residents, special needs students and teachers.

Minister Taylor described what the new department meant for residents.

“This Department stands as a beacon of hope and opportunity for individuals with special needs signaling a new empowerment and inclusion,” she said.

The minister maintained that it was her passion as a trained educator to make sure all students had access to education. Taylor admitted though that students with special needs have been underserved and overlooked for far too long.

The Turks and Caicos has struggled repeatedly with sufficient expert care for special needs and a special needs institution has been in the works for years without completion.

“We anticipate the opening of the Special Needs Centre, a long-awaited development that will provide our children abroad with the opportunity to return home and receive the specialized education and support they need,” Taylor updated during the event, but did not provide a date for the opening.

For her part, Anya Williams, Acting Governor with responsibility for the public service, revealed that the process of hiring a sufficient complement of staff to serve the country was extremely difficult. With this in mind she had strict words for local students studying in special needs care and treatment areas overseas.

“It is your duty to return to the Turks and Caicos because often we provide the scholarships and the means for persons to qualify themselves and when they complete they advise us that they’re not returning,” she continued “I’m calling you out and saying that it is your duty to return home and I will ask the Ministry of Education to enforce your bond. That is necessary.”

Washington Misick, TCI Premier, promised that the government was focused on creating an accessible Turks and Caicos for everyone.

“The focus of the government is no one left behind so it doesn’t matter who you are— what is the degree of your infirmity or special needs.”

Newly hired Department Head, Dr. Anya Malcolm Gibbs, highlighted the history of special needs care locally.

“The roots of special needs development in the Turks and Caicos can be traced back to the 1980’s where the work needs was a program in the welfare department introduced by Paul Crooks from the United Kingdom,” she explained.

That work was followed by support from the British Development Division in 1992 via a special needs coordinator. By 1993 the local government took control of the area.

The late Marion Williams was acknowledged by Taylor as a key player in the special needs industry. Thanked for their service also, were Leo Selver, Jas Walkin, Earl Fulford the One World Foundation, Therapy Abroad and others.

Currently there are 17 special needs teachers, a specialist classrooms at the Eliza Simons Primary and a Special Needs Resource Centre at the Adelaide Oemler Primary.

Caribbean News

JAMAICAN STUDENTS GAIN SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDY IN CUBA

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KINGSTON, April 25 (JIS):

Fifteen young Jamaicans have gained scholarships to pursue tertiary training in medicine, nursing and civil engineering in the Republic of Cuba, under the Jamaica-Cuba Bilateral Scholarship Programme.

Speaking at the awards ceremony for the students, held at the Embassy of Cuba in St. Andrew on April 24, Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Alando Terrelonge, said the scholarship component of the partnership is one of the many successes for Jamaicans.

“Through this valuable programme, the Government of Cuba has consistently invested in the educational development of Jamaican students, through the provision of well-needed and appreciated undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships, primarily in Medicine and Health Sciences,” Mr. Terrelonge said.

He highlighted that the long-standing, meaningful and mutually beneficial bond of friendship and cooperation has been shared between Jamaica and Cuba for more than 50 years and has provided invaluable support to Jamaica, with several agreements in the areas of Health, Science, Culture, Sports, Tourism and Education.

The Minister of State said that Jamaica is grateful for the unwavering support towards Jamaica’s development, adding that “not only are we close geographical partners but our relationship is based on, among other things, mutual respect and strong people-to-people connections”.

Mr. Terrelonge told the students that they have succeeded in securing their places in the various programmes and have proven themselves to be the “crème de la crème, having successfully undergone a rigorous selection process”.

“I commend you for your drive, hard work and dedication towards your educational development,” he said.

“As you prepare to depart Jamaica for diverse and vibrant Cuba, I encourage you all to continue to work diligently in your respective fields of study, to remain faithful to the goals you have set for yourselves, and to fly, even higher, the Jamaican flag in Cuba. It is my hope that you will not only meet but exceed your and your families’ expectations,” the State Minister added.

He also encouraged the students to view the scholarship not only as an opportunity to advance academically but to also “immerse yourselves in the rich culture of the Cuban people” and to form new connections, build networks, explore new adventures, improve their Spanish-speaking skills, and to stay connected with the Jamaica Embassy in Havana.

Under the full scholarship, tuition, accommodation, meals, clothing allowance, study materials and medical care are covered by Cuba.

The programme is administered by the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in conjunction with the Scholarship Unit of the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service and other entities. Every year, the Cuban Government invites applications from persons wishing to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies.

 

CONTACT: GARFIELD L. ANGUS

 

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Caribbean News

GROUND BROKEN FOR HIGH SCHOOL AT CHRISTEL HOUSE

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KINGSTON, May 1 (JIS):

Ground has been broken at the tuition-free Christel House at Twickenham Park, St. Catherine, for the construction of a high school.

Minister of Education and Youth, Hon. Faval Williams, who delivered the keynote address at the site, today (May 1), said Christel House’s dedication to breaking the cycle of poverty and empowering vulnerable children is “nothing short of inspiring”.

“Your decision to invest in Jamaica speaks volumes about your belief in our nation’s potential, and your dedication to making a meaningful difference in the lives of our youth is appreciated,” Minister Williams said.

She added that the partnership between the Government and the organisation, forged through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2019, is a “prime example” of what can be achieved when public and private entities come together with a shared vision and purpose.

Further, the Minister said a foundation is being laid for a brighter future, one where every child has the opportunity to thrive and fulfil their potential, regardless of their circumstances.

She said that Christel House Jamaica, which now operates a kindergarten school at the location, will in time be more than just a school.

“It will be a symbol of optimism, a sanctuary of learning, and a catalyst for positive change in our community,” the Minister said.

“By providing comprehensive support, including education, nutrition, healthcare, and mentorship, Christel House will empower students to break free from the chains of poverty and chart a course towards a better tomorrow,” she added.

Mrs. Willliams said the shared goal between the Administration and Christel House extends beyond the construction of a building, as it is about nurturing the next generation of leaders, innovators, and change-makers who will shape the destiny of the nation.

“Together, we are sowing the seeds of prosperity, equity, and social justice, ensuring that no child is left behind,” she said.

The school provides breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack, as well as transportation for children living far distances from the school. It also provides uniforms and textbooks, and counselling services for its students who have to contend with psychological and other emotional issues.

Founder of Christel House International, Christel Dehaan, emigrated from Germany to the United States (US) in 1962, and was an accomplished businesswoman.

In 1996, she sold her global enterprise, Resort Condominiums International (RCI), which had offices in 38 countries, and devoted her resources to philanthropic work from her headquarters in North Meridian Street, Indianapolis.

With support from dedicated donors, schools are run in India, Jamaica, Mexico, South Africa, and the US.

 

CONTACT: GARFIELD L. ANGUS

 

 

 

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Education

Sandals Corporate University signs MOU with TCI Community College

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Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

 

Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, and Sport

#TurksandCaicos, May 2, 2024 – Sandals Corporate University is now an official partner of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) and the two will be working together to create hospitality specific courses to equip students.

During the MOU signing on April 29, Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, and Sport, explained the process, describing it as a visionary initiative,

“Through this collaboration TCICC and SCU will jointly develop and implement training content tailored specifically to the needs of the hospitality industry covering crucial areas such as rooms, food and beverage service, field management, watersports and technical and mechanical training.”

The Minister explained that the custom-made curriculum would also be enriched further by experts from Sandals and Beaches Resorts via guest lectures.

In addition to that up to 100 TCICC interns will be placed at Sandals Resorts for experience annually; lecturers at the TCICC will also be given resort experience periodically to make sure that they’re using the most modern teaching methods.

“This is not just a formal agreement but a shared commitment to the future of our people both young and seasoned; and the robust growth of our hospitality and tourism industry,” Taylor said.

She was backed up by Adam Stewart, Chairman of Sandals Group International

“You will have 100% support from my office,” he promised

Adam Stewart, Chairman of Sandals Group International 

Stewart who flew in for the event explained that the idea for a joint teaching space had come about over a lunch of conch chowder with TCI officials, including the Governor, only months earlier.

”The best thing you can do for the people of the Caribbean has got to be education. We have seen time and time again, division by division and island by island across the Caribbean, where we invest in people, we see [returns],” Stewart said.

He highlighted that SCU is the first hotel-led Corporate University in the Western Hemisphere and now connected to the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC). Beaches Turks and Caicos is the largest hospitality employer in the country and is currently understaffed and in need of hundreds more workers.

“I’ve never seen an MOU come together faster, I’ve never seen the private in public it to work together in [such] a way which to me signals how serious this is,” Stewart said.

The MOU was signed by Dr Luz Longsworth (on behalf of Sandals) witnessed by Stewart and Washington Misick, TCI Premier.

Attending the event was a host of dignitaries including Dileeni Daniel Selvaratnam, TCI Governor, Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier and Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development, Josephine Connollly, Minister of Tourism, other ministers, TCICC  executives and Sandals officials.

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