Education
Therapy Abroad Team from Illinois State University Supports Speech and Communication Development Across TCI Schools
PRESS RELEASE
FROM THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION YOUTH SPORTS AND CULTURE
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands 13th January 2025 – The Special Education Needs Services (SENS) Department of the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, and Culture, recently welcomed a team of 10 dedicated volunteers from Illinois State University’s
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders through the Therapy Abroad program. Throughout their visit, the team made a significant impact, conducting 45 speech assessments and providing invaluable support to private and public schools and students.
The visiting team worked with the SNAP Center, Preparing Little Minds, Tumble Tots, Thelma Lightbourne Primary, and Ianthe Pratt Primary schools this past week. Their efforts included one-on-one speech assessments, group speech therapy sessions with students, and collaborative meetings with teachers to provide insights and strategies to assist children with speech delays and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
Director of the SENS Department, Dr. Anya Malcolm-Gibbs, expressed her gratitude for the collaborative effort: “We are immensely grateful to the Therapy Abroad team and the volunteers from Illinois State University for their unwavering commitment to supporting
our students. Their assessments and therapy sessions have brought us closer to understanding and addressing our children’s unique speech and communication needs. I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our Coordinator of Assessments, Mrs. Lashaunda Skippings, whose tireless efforts ensured the success of this initiative.”
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Mr. James Astwood, also praised the initiative: “This ongoing partnership between Therapy Abroad and the SENS Department highlights the importance of global collaboration in addressing the diverse needs of our students. The expertise shared and the assessments conducted will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on our schools and the children they serve. We look forward to continuing such partnerships to further enhance the
services we provide.”
The SENS Department remains committed to fostering innovative partnerships and delivering specialized support to ensure that every child receives the resources they need to thrive.
Bahamas Information Services
GRAND BAHAMA, The Bahamas — On Saturday, August 23, 2025, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry for Grand Bahama and Member of Parliament for West Grand Bahama and Bimini, Kingsley Smith along with Deputy Director of Education for the Grand Bahama, Bimini, and The Cays District, Michelle Bowleg toured Holmes Rock Junior High School to assess ongoing progress and ensure the project remains on track to welcome students for the new academic term in September.
Following the tour, Smith expressed optimism regarding the ongoing progress, stating, “Having toured the site and seeing the work that is
being done on the weekend, shows the commitment and dedication to getting it completed.”
He also noted that after discussions with the contractors, he was assured that with sufficient manpower and around-the-clock work, the project remains on track for completion by September 1, 2025.
“One of our underlying goals is really access, so we are happy that the school will be up and ready for our students,” said Bowleg.
She highlighted that several zoom meetings were held with parents to keep them informed about key updates including booklists, uniforms, and staffing. According to Bowleg, feedback from parents has been overwhelmingly positive.
“It is a beautiful facility, one that parents will be very proud of, and the entire West Grand Bahama community,” she added.
(BIS Photos/Danielle Rollon)
