Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Schools from across the Turks and Caicos Islands gathered to showcase their environmental initiatives at the ‘Greening Our Schools’ awards and presentation ceremony. Attended by ministries, departments, officers, teachers, students and parents, the event highlighted the innovative and creative projects developed by students to reduce their carbon footprint.

The ‘Greening Our Schools’ initiative is an environmental and conservation program focused on four key pillars: biodiversity, waste management, energy conservation and water conservation. Through this programme, students implemented new initiatives and technologies within their schools to promote sustainability and environmental stewardship.

During the ceremony, 12 of the 17 participating schools were honoured with the Green Flag, an eco-symbol representing a green school. This recognition underscores the schools’ commitment to sustainability and environmental excellence.

Green Flag Awardees:

• Adelaide Oehmler Primary School
• Charles Hubert James Primary School
• Clement Howell High School
• Eliza Simons Primary School
• Enid Capron Primary School
• International School of the TCI
• Iris Stubbs Primary School
• Marjorie Basden High School
• Oseta Jolly Primary School
• Provo Primary Middle School
• Raymond Gardiner High School
• Thelma Lousie Primary School

Primary School Category:

• Second Runner-Up: Provo Primary (Biodiversity) 
• First Runner-Up: International School of the Turks and Caicos Islands (Waste Management)
• Champion School: Enid Capron Primary School (Water Conservation)

Special Prizes:

• Green Ribbon for the most innovative project
• $1,000 from the Department of Education
• $1,000 from Provo Water Company
• Supplies and  6 months of technical support from EA Landscaping
• $300 Cash Prize TCI Waste
• School Supplies (Fortis TCI)

High School Category:

• Second Runner-Up: Clement Howell High School (Biodiversity)
• First Runner-Up: Raymond Gardiner High School (Biodiversity)
• Champion School: Marjorie Basden High School  (Biodiversity)

Special Prizes:

• Green Ribbon for the most innovative project
• $1,000 from the Department of Education

• Supplies and  6 months of technical support from EA Landscaping
• $300 Cash Prize TCI Waste
• School Supplies (Fortis TCI)

The Department of Education and the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR) extend their heartfelt thanks to our sponsors: EA Landscaping, TCI Waste, Provo Water Company, and Fortis TCI, for their invaluable support throughout the programme. This event demonstrated the power of student-driven initiatives in fostering a greener, more sustainable future for the Turks and Caicos Islands. We encourage all schools to continue their efforts and look forward to even more innovative projects in the coming years.

The Minister for Education, Honourable Rachel Taylor speaking to participants stated, “To those schools that were awarded the prestigious Green Flag or Green Ribbon, congratulations on your outstanding efforts. Your commitment to sustainability and your innovative approaches set a powerful example for all of us. Your achievements are a testament to what can be accomplished when we work together toward a common goal. To the schools that were not awarded, I would like to encourage you to take up the task again. You can do this!  The Green Flag is not just a symbol of your hard work but a beacon of hope and inspiration for the entire country.”

The Greening Our Schools initiative will continue, with registration reopening TODAY, Tuesday, 25 June 2024. Schools are reminded that the Green Flag is a prestigious honour that can be revoked if sustainable projects are not maintained during the next assessment period. Schools may use the following link to register their school, they can also contact programme leads Elisann Delancy (edelancy@gov.tc) or Amy Avenant (aavenant@gov.tc) for more information.

Speak to your school’s principal and register TODAY!

#MontegoBay, July 3, 2024 – The Government is progressing with plans to construct six Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Schools and one Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) Academy.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, says arrangements to build the STEAM school, being cited in Montego Bay, are “proceeding.”

“The land is acquired and the budget is in place from the Ministry of Finance [and the Public Service]. By the end of the year the Ministry of Education [and Youth] can give a timeframe on it,” he stated.

Regarding construction of the STEM Schools, Dr. Chang advised that  “we will be opening the first one in Portmore [St. Catherine] very soon.”

He was speaking during the University of Technology (UTech) Western Campus’ recent STEM Summer camp launch at the institution’s campus in Montego Bay, St. James.

The camp, being held in western Jamaica for the first time, will see some 100 youth from communities in Hanover, Trelawny and St. James engaging in several STEM-related activities.

For his part, Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) President, Oral Heaven, said Jamaica has been declared a ‘STEM island’, adding that the camp serves as testament to the country’s growing prominence in the global STEM landscape.

“This designation opens the door for so many things, through multinational STEM investments [and] real money for our people, positioning Jamaica as a hub of innovation and technological advancement,” he outlined.

Dr. Chang pointed out that there is “a legacy of STEM activity” in the west, noting that the Government is committed to expanding opportunities in the sector.

“It is imperative, therefore, that we attract some of these investments to Montego Bay”, adding that, “we must focus on the positives and potential solutions that STEM can offer.”

The STEM Summer Camp will be held in two phases for junior and senior participants under the theme: ‘Think, Collaborate and Innovate to Grow and Be Resilient’.

Junior participants will attend from July 8-19, and the older youth between July 15 and 26.

Contact: Serena Grant

Release: JIS

#Kingston, Jamaica, July 1, 2024 – As Hurricane Beryl approaches Jamaica, persons living in low-lying and flood prone areas are being urged to assess their situation and make the decision to relocate as early as possible.

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, made the call during a press conference at Jamaica House on Monday (July 1).

“I quite understand that people don’t want to leave their property; but the most important thing is your life. So I would encourage you, please, the security forces or emergency services would not be able to operate in the heights of the hurricane and even just before, and there might even be a delay afterwards,” he noted.

“We encourage you to please secure yourself by moving to higher ground and moving to safer ground. Make arrangements with your family members to find a safer place to be. So if you live, particularly in low-lying areas, starting from the most eastern end of the island, that would be anywhere in Portland and St. Thomas coming up to the Manchioneal area, and if you are in areas in East Rural St. Andrew, please, you’re going to be impacted, so take the necessary steps,” Mr. Holness advised.

He said the Government is making the necessary arrangements to respond quickly after the hurricane has passed, including ensuring that persons can access food and water.

“We have two weeks supply of fuel, our telecommunication services have been investing significantly in improving the resilience of their hard infrastructure and we expect that they should stand up,” the Prime Minister indicated.

“But if there is any disruption or a break, we are pursuing alternatives to ensure that we are still connected, particularly for government entities,” he assured.

Meanwhile, Mr. Holness encourages all citizens to pay close attention to the government information outlets and the traditional, credible, well-established media sources.

He informed that the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) will be working directly with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), which oversees the coordination and response of Jamaica’s emergency preparations.

“An important part of our emergency response is how we communicate with the public; and so JIS will be working directly, now, with ODPEM to ensure that it gets out the information. So the JIS will be your central source. But all the media that are here, are established, credible sources. They will be getting their information from the JIS. So there will be a consistent and even flow of information to the public to help you to make the decisions necessary for your safety,” Mr. Holness said.

Regarding curfews, he said the Government is not yet contemplating any limitation on movement.

“But as we get closer to the time, and we are able to assess the intensity of the hurricane, then we will make those decisions and that will be communicated,” Mr. Holness stated.

Contact: Latonya Linton

Release : JIS