RTC Director

Could it be that seeds of discourse are being sewn with G-SAT just around the corner?

A reliable source clarified to RTC News that neither the ministry nor department of Education, is responsible for giving students mock exams and further, that students did sit those mock exams.

RTC News also understands that there are no major changes to the G-SAT paper and certainly not in terms of the volume of work. We also understand that the various schools were notified of the relevant changes quite some time ago. Our source told us that the new specifications were sent to the schools and there were no concerns expressed, nor was there any protest against the two and a half hour test by either the school, nor their PTA’s, to say they were against the idea of a change.

One parent also shared with RTC News that there were concerns expressed previously about the three hour long exams – that it was too long for the kids. So now that the exam time has been shortened, what is the real concern at this nth hour, with G-SAT scheduled for next Wednesday and Thursday?

Our source believes it’s just mischief making; however RTC News did contact the Director of Education for a comment and we hope to have some feedback in our subsequent newscast.

by RTC Director

PDM challenges changes to GSAT exam papers

With just a mere couple of days before students sit the Grade Six Achievement Test (G-SAT), the People’s Democratic Movement has taken exception to what it refers to as major changes to this year’s G-SAT examination. 

It has come to our attention that the Ministry of Education is making a major policy change to GSAT this year. The leadership of the People’s Democratic Movement wishes to register our concern with regards to what is being proposed for the 2014 GSAT Examinations,” a PDM press release noted. 

National Chairman of PDM, Hon. Clarence Selver, quoted what he said is a reliable source as saying that the changes being proposed for implementation with immediate effect, are being done without consultation with all the stakeholders, including the teachers and parents. 

“Up until now, the GSAT Examinations were written over a three day period and all interested parties (teachers, PTA and students) prepared themselves in keeping with this time frame. What is now being instituted is for the exams to be written over TWO days. The same volume of works will still be undertaken but it is the MATHS examinations that was split in two papers will now be sat as one paper for 2 ½ (two and one half hours). This is a mammoth task for the 11 + year olds. They have not been prepared for an exam this long. We don't think CXC has papers this long. This is far too long an examination and there are scientific reasons why it should not be done in this manner as we could see frustration, confusions, a feeling of heightened anxiety and diminishing returns as the exam progresses beyond the 1 ½ hour mark,” Hon. Selver said. 

He contends there were no mock trials to inform students on time management techniques for papers with 2 ½ hours duration.

“We therefore sincerely urge the Ministry of Education to delay the change for another time when the Ministry would have consulted the stakeholder and the teachers be given an opportunity to prepare students to be examined for 2 ½ hours if it is still the decision to move in this direction. We further urge the government not to make this change simply for financial concerns in an attempt to save money and reduce the cost attached to the examinations,” said Hon. Selver.

by RTC Director

Robust Growth in First Quarter Tourist Arrivals

The Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board has released its latest statistics, which indicate overall tourist arrivals to the Turks and Caicos Islands grew by 41% in the first quarter of this year, with robust growth recorded across all major source markets. January, February and March saw a combined total of 358,188 visitor arrivals to the destination, accounting for 104,437 more visitor arrivals than in the corresponding period in 2013. The combined number represents 105,506 stop-over visitors and 252,682 visitors arriving by cruise ship.

In a very strong start to the year, stop-over arrivals to the Turks and Caicos surged by 30% compared to the same period in 2013.  The United States was the leading market generator of all stop-over arrivals to the Turks and Caicos with a sum total of 82,739 stop-over arrivals during the first quarter of 2014, a 35% increase compared to the same period in 2013. The destination’s second largest source market, Canada, indicated a slight rebound with a total of 14,830 stop-over arrivals during the first quarter of 2014, an increase of 13% compared to the same period in the previous year.

Stop-over arrivals from the European markets also signified first quarter growth, with arrivals from the United Kingdom and France increasing by 17% and 86% respectively.Continuing on its upward trend, the Turks and Caicos more than doubled its stop-over arrivals from Italy in the first quarter of 2014 when compared to the same period last year.Collectively the European market recorded 1,889 stop-over arrivals to the destination in the first quarter of 2014.A breakdown in stay-over arrivals from the European region reveals 873 visitors from the United Kingdom; 193 visitors from France; 394 visitors from Italy; 69 visitors from Germany and 360 visitors from other European nations.

The destination’s newest source market, Brazil, recorded 515 stop-over arrivals, an impressive growth rate of 55% at the end of first quarter of 2014. Increases in visitors from the Eastern Caribbean have also been a noted trend. Stop-over arrivals from the Caribbean region in the first quarter of 2014 increased 11% accounting for an additional 4,526 tourists. 1,007 stop-over arrivals visited the Turks and Caicos from the rest of the world, including countries in Asia, Africa and the Pacific.

The Premier and Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Dr. the Hon. Rufus W. Ewing said these numbers reflect the strength and authenticity of the Turks and Caicos brand in international markets. “The Turks and Caicos brand has been a magnet to our guests who, upon visiting the country once, are compelled to come time and time again. These numbers are not only impressive but demonstrative that this jewel of ours is no longer a secret, and in fact, is one of the most sought after destinations in the region, and indeed the world,” Premier Ewing said. He noted that the country’s economy has already begun the climb towards recovery, and recognized the significance of the contribution that these travelers make. “Tourism has always been the bread basket of our economy and the efforts of both my Government and elected Governments of the past have ensured that the industry runs like a well-oiled machine. However, at the same time, we must recognize that the continued success of the industry, well into the future, remains dependent on the level of service that we provide each and every one of our visitors to the islands. Our hospitality must remain reflective of our high-end, luxury brand and must begin from the moment the guest engages the travel agent to the moment they return to their home. We must ensure that we, immigration and customs officials, taxi drivers and residents throughout the visit, continue to ensure the experience of our guests promote the values of safety, security and service,” added Premier Ewing.

Moving forward the Tourist Board will continue to increase its presence within the market place, embarking on a series of travel and trade shows, sponsor and promotional events in the US, Canada, Europe and Brazil, and continue working with wholesalers and hotel partners to sell the destination.

by RTC Director

National Hero’s Day, a celebration to be held on Monday 26th May

Plans are well under wayto observe National Hero’s Day, acelebrationin honor of the late JAGS McCartney, the country’s first Chief Minister and only named National Hero.

The annual event will take place at the JAGS McCartney National Memorial Park at 10 a.m. on Monday 26^th May, a national holiday in the TCI.

This year’s National Hero’s Day celebration will be held under the theme “Discipline, Production, Tolerance – Visualizing and Embracing New Possibilities.”

As an added feature of the programme, an unveiling ceremony will take place.

RTC News will have further details of the upcoming National Hero’s Day, celebration in a subsequent newscast.

by RTC Director

International Day of Biodiversity to be celebrated in the TCI

May 22^nd will be observed globally as “International Day of Biodiversity.”

According to a press release from the TCI National Trust, when one think about biological diversity and conservation, they're likely to quite accurately name eastern Africa, the Amazonian rainforest, and perhaps Madagascar as very special places where remarkable plants and animals live.

The Turks & Caicos Islands National Trust recognizes that while it is true that these places have plenty of ecological species, island nations, including our “Beautiful by Nature” Turks & Caicos Islands, have a rich and diverse ecosystem.

Islands and their surrounding ‘near-shore’ marine areas, constitute unique ecosystems, often comprising many plant and animal species that are endemic – in other words, found nowhere else on Earth. The legacy of a unique evolutionary history, these ecosystems are irreplaceable treasures.

They are also key to the livelihood, economy, well-being and cultural identity of Islanders.

Here in the Turks & Caicos Islands this year, highlight for the international celebration of Biodiversity Day on Thursday May 22^nd is on the biological richness of the islands. The TCI National Trust said the theme, “Island Biodiversity,” was chosen to coincide with the designation by the United Nations General Assembly of 2014 as the International Year of Small Island Developing States.

It is in this regard, that the Turks & Caicos National Trust is launching a biodiversity awareness campaign, aimed at disseminating information about the TCI’s endemic species, as well as invasive plants to students, planners, managers, relevant government agencies, and the general public.

For this purpose, the National Trust is distributing posters of the endemic and invasive species, and will conduct talks and presentations at different schools and agencies.

In further support of habitat conservation and preservation, the Trust has also announced that through the Sandals Foundation, and with help from the Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs (DEMA), a mangrove planting exercise was initiated at Little Water Cay (LWC). Over one hundred red mangrove seedlings were planted this week, and a follow-up activity at LWC is now being planned.

“Turks & Caicos is blessed with natural beauty endowed with splendid biodiversity. Let us conserve and appreciate them. Spread the word!” the National Trust said in its release.

For more information about the National Trust conservation projects and how you can help, you may contact them at (649) 941-5710 or send an e-mail to tc.nattrust@yahoo.com.

by RTC Director