Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands May 10, 2023 - Her Excellency Anya Williams, Acting Governor, and Minister of Education, Hon. Rachel Taylor, leads TCI team to Education World Forum 2023 in London, 7^th to 10^th May, under the theme ‘New Beginnings: Nurturing Learning Culture, Building Resilience, Promoting Sustainability. Stronger, Bolder, Better Education by Design.’

The Minister for Education, Youth, Sports and Social Services, Hon. Rachel Taylor, is attending the Education World Forum (EWF) in London, England. Hon. Taylor and her team arrived in the United Kingdom (UK) on Saturday, 6^th May ahead of the opening of the Education World Forum.

Her Excellency Anya Williams, Acting Governor, is also attending the Forum, despite other planned engagements. The sessions on Monday focused on lessons learned, Trends, Resilience and Innovation, central themes of the forum.

The Minister is accompanied by other members of the Ministry including: Director of Education, Edgar Howell, the President and CEO of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Dr. Candice Williams, and the Curriculum Development Officer, Elisann Delancy.  

As a highlight, Hon. Rachel Taylor presented on one of several prestigious panel discussions. The topic for her panel discussion was; ‘What role can and should education play in building sustainability? How can we accelerate from policy to implementation? The session was co-shared with the Director of Education and Skills OECD, Andreas Schleicher and Minister of Education for Ghana, Hon. Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum.

On December 5th, the Department of Education met with stakeholders from the private and public sectors to begin preparations for an Environmental Management and Award Programme for all primary schools, high schools and community colleges in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Stakeholders invited were Provo Water Company TCI, Waste Disposal Services Ltd, Fortis TCI, Department of Environment and Coastal Resources, Environmental Health Department, Agriculture Department, RESEMBID, TCI Telecommunications Commission, EA Landscaping and Turks and Caicos National Trust. 

The programme aims to develop energy and environmentally literate citizens through service projects, leadership, and activism and to make environmental awareness and action an intrinsic part of the life and ethos of a school. It encompasses four major themes: Waste Management, Electricity Conservation, Water Conservation and Biodiversity. Schools are expected to select one theme and create environmentally friendly solutions that address issues in their schools or the wider community.

The programme is set to begin in September 2023. Schools have the opportunity to be awarded a "Green Flag' which signifies a green school, and the coveted prize, the 'Green Ribbon', given to the school with outstanding performance-enhancing sustainability practices among all schools with Green Flag status. Prior to the launch, all schools should expect to be visited by a team who will formally launch the programme and introduce students to all four themes. 

The Minister of Education, Hon. Racheal Taylor added, “Partnership is critical for the development of our programmes.  We are grateful for the support of our many partners, as we seek to ensure that our students become more environmentally aware, becoming a part of the solution, to an environmentally friendly TCI. Special thanks to Ms. Elsiann Delancy, our Curriculum Officer who continues to lead in this area.”

Click here to view Greening our School Guide

On November 1st and 2nd, the Ministry and Department of Education host their first annual Mathematics' Jeopardy Style' Competition with Rev. Pedro Williams as Quiz Master. Math scholars from all around the Turks and Caicos Islands were provided an opportunity to compete. The competition aims to diminish stigmas surrounding the subject to help students see Mathematics as fun. This competition is one of many activities that will happen at the National-level from the Department of Education's recently launched 'LET'S REAP' campaign focusing on Numeracy and Literacy Recovery and Enhancement. 

On the first day, the competition saw students from the primary level. The first group consisted of students from Thelma Lightbourne Primary, The International School of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Oseta Jolly Primary, Ianthe Pratt Primary, Adelaide Oemler Primary and Community Christian Fellowship School. The winners of this group were Oseta Jolly Primary and Ianthe Pratt Primary, who qualified for the finals. The second group consisted of students from Richmond Hill Preparatory, Enid Capron Primary, Ona Glinton Primary, Eliza Simons Primary and Charles Hubert James Primary. The winners of this group were Ona Glinton Primary and Charles Hubert James Primary, who qualified for the finals. The finals resulted in Charles Hubert James Primary placing 4th with 9,600 points, Ianthe Pratt Primary 3rd with 13,600 points, Ona Glinton Primary 2nd with 17,800 and Oseta Jolly Primary placing 1st with 27,600 points, winning the grand prize. 

On the second day, students from the secondary level participated in the competition. The competing schools were Louise Garland Thomas High, Clement Howell High, Raymond Gardiner High, H. J. Robinson High, The International School of the Turks and Caicos Islands and Wesley Methodist School. The finals resulted in H.J Robinson High placing 4th with 7,600 points, Clement Howell High 3rd with 12,400 points, The International School of the Turks and Caicos Islands 2nd with 13,800 and capturing the grand prize, 'The Green Machine' Raymond Gardiner High placing 1st with 14,400 points. 

All participants received a backpack with school supplies, courtesy of Beaches Turks & Caicos, as well as a participation trophy. Winners and runners-up schools also received laptops, Beaches TCI day passes for themselves and family members, gift cards, airline tickets and cash prizes. 

The two-day event was an exciting, nail-biting, edge-of-the-sit experience and all participating schools exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and integrity. Mr. Hugh Adams, Mathematics Specialist in the Department of Education added “Mathematics is a very important life skill that need to be developed through various method. It is important that we make Mathematics fun so as to stimulate and encourage students’ involvement. The Mathematics Jeopardy was design to create an atmosphere where student can display and showcase their Mathematical ability in a competitive way among their peers. Students were able to display their reasoning ability and problem solving skill, it is our goal to continue to find ways and methods to make Mathematics fun and enjoyable.” 

The Department of Education would like to thank all students, teachers and schools who worked tirelessly to make the event successful. They would also like to thank the following sponsors of the competition, InterCaribbean Airways, Beaches Turks and Caicos, Graceway Supermarket, Business Solutions, Casablanca Casino, Caribbean Crusin and Caicos Express; thank you!