Mr. Speaker, I consider it an honour to rise and present to this Honorable House my first budget since I took office in June 2017 as Minister of Education, Youth, Culture and Library Services.
Mr. Speaker, today I present to you the 2018/2019 Budget for the Turks and Caicos Islands Education Department against the backdrop of a struggling country which sustained severe damages from two major hurricanes and where the effects were felt across the islands particularly in Education. Given the challenges that we faced after the hurricanes, we had to change the way that we think, the way that we operated and we had to push boundaries that we never thought could be pushed.
Addressing these challenges required innovative solutions and collective involvement with all stakeholders throughout government and the private sector, and I must say that I am fortunate to work with many creative and innovative officials. I am also proud to partner with many dedicated and committed individuals in the private sector. I am very proud of what we have achieved, but acknowledge that there is still much to be done to improve education in these islands.
Mr. Speaker, Education is indeed a dynamic and collective endeavour, a solid investment one can never regret having made. The bright future belongs to the countries who invest heavily in education. The Turks and Caicos Islands, is on the right track. The global village is all about a stiff competition and without sound education certainly, no nation can make it to the top. We owe it to ourselves, our people and generations to come, to make a difference in our quest for an industrialized country. To grow the economy, we have to invest heavily in education. No country can achieve sustainable economic development without substantial investment in quality education.
Mr. Speaker, my government is committed to the education of our people and this budget Mr. Speaker; reflect this commitment, this budget is an Education Budget.
Mr. Speaker, since the passage of the storms last year, my Government has prioritized the restoration of school infrastructure, rebuilding modern, resilient schools that are equipped with the necessary specialty classrooms and Information & Communication Technology to enhance the learning experience.
Over the next two fiscal years, my Government have allocated more funding for the Ministry of Education, then has ever been done for the past twenty years. The Ministry of Education share of the capital budget pie represents 34% of the Total TCIG capital budget for the next two years. This is unprecedented in the region, it is unprecedented in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Mr. Speaker, given the competing priorities a Government faces, crime, border security, healthcare issues, upgrading of public infrastructure, upgrading of Government office spaces to name a few, the fact that the Government have committed 36% of its total development budget to the Education Sector is a strong testimony that this Government, your Government is committed to the Education of our People and the rebuilding, and modernizing of our schools.
This year Mr. Speaker, we have already started with the rebuilding of the Iris Stubbs Primary School and the Marjorie Basden High School in South Caicos to enable displaced students to return to their schools. I am happy to report to the people of South Caicos and by extension, the People of the Turks and Caicos Islands, the contract for this work is finalized, the kick-off meeting with the contractor took place last month, and works will commence during the summer period.
But Mr. Speaker, we will not stop there. As I said earlier, this is an education reform budget. We have included in the consolidated budget under the headings, School Infrastructure Project Phase 1 and Phase 2, to rebuild and modernize all the schools impacted by the storms. We will:
- Repair and upgrade the Oseta Jolly Primary School, with new bathrooms, more class-room space and high tech Information and Communication Technology Equipment’s, such as interactive boards and overhead projectors in almost all classrooms.
- We have included additional funds to build a new Early Childhood Block, and do away with those awful container systems
- We will repair the damaged areas at the HJ Robinson High School and further upgrade the CVQ Block to facilitate the expansion of the CVQ and other technical vocation programs at the school.
- We will repair the TCICC in Grand Turk to address many of the concerns raised by our college students, their need for more classroom spaces, water issues, upgrade to the CVQ block to permit the launching of auto-mechanic as a Technical Vocational Subject and other critical CVQ subjects.
- We will repair the damages to the Raymond Gardiner High School in North Caicos and also during the course of the year, start the construction of a New Block to the Raymond Gardiner High School. This new block will be used to permit the expansion of our CVQ and other Technical Vocational Programs within the school.
- We will repair and rebuild the Mary Robinson Primary School in Salt Cay, to include repair works to the Library and other key infrastructure associated with the school. Mr. Speaker, I pause here to also inform, while these repair works are underway, My Ministry is in communication with a private sector body which is looking at a contingency solution of a temporary classroom space for the students, while the infrastructure works continues in the event the school repair works are not complete in time for September. Mr. Speaker, we vowed that we will not forget the people of Salt Cay in this budget and we will ensure that the people of Salt Cay and the students are well taken cared of.
- Speaker, I am not done. I told you that this budget, is truly “An Education Budget”. We will undertake repairs to the Enid Capron Primary School in Providenciales and also build a new Block to replace the four containers on the compound. We will also repair the torn down fence, install proper lighting and address the security issue we have at the school in respect to constant burglary.
- We will rebuild the Eliza Simons Primary School in Grand Turk, as well as undertake repairs to the Charles Hubert James Primary School, and the Adelaide Oemler Primary School in North Caicos respectively.
- We will also repair the Ianthe Pratt Primary School, and we are committed to building a new classroom block to replace the container classrooms.
All of these works are budgeted within this Financial year and will start within this financial year. Mr. Speaker, when my Government said we will rebuild stronger and more resilient, this is what we meant.
Mr. Speaker, if you listened carefully, you will notice a common thread in our rebuilding plans.
- We will repair the damages to higher infrastructure standards, using upgraded materials such as standing seem roofing. – That is rebuilding Stronger
- We will build new class room blocks and get rid of those container class rooms – That is rebuilding to be more resilient
- We will upgrade many of the schools to expand our CVQ and other Technical Vocational Learning – That is rebuilding with our people in mind, – rebuilding smarter.
Mr. Speaker, while we are on the topic of resilience, Resiliency is a key component of the school infrastructure programme as it is ingrained in the curriculum, policies and procedures within the education sector.
The Caribbean Safe School Framework will inform our rebuilding and upgrading plans and each school will develop disaster risk management plans as part of a sector-wide disaster risk reduction strategy.
We have partnered with UNICEF and they have provided some seed funding to help us in building the capacity of our school leaders by providing us with technical support. To this end, we are currently in the process of recruiting a Disaster Risk Reduction Officer to be embedded within the Ministry that will work with all schools to develop individualized risk reduction plans and provide training to our school leaders to help them to better prepare for all manners of disaster risk reduction.
Mr. Speaker, since I have taken up the mantle as the Minister of Education, I have a better appreciation of the need to educate our people. The great Nelson Mandela, once said “That Education is the Greatest Equalizer”. No individual or a country will be able to compete in this most complicated and fast changing world without Education. Mr. Speaker, along with rebuilding safer schools, my Government will focus on improving access to education with the 11th European Development Fund Project for the development of a new primary school on Providenciales. Phase 1 of the new primary school is anticipated to be completed for the start of the 2019/20 Academic Year.
My Government has increased the funding allocation for scholarships by $300,000 compared to last year’s budget. This will potentially permit an increase in the number of students that would be awarded scholarship opportunities. We have also revised and updated the Scholarship Policy to expand the priority areas, revised the eligibility criteria, and expanded the number of institutions to which students can apply to pursue degree courses and programmes. Mr. Speaker, these initiatives are the work of a progressive Government; because a progressive government provides greater access to the education for their people.
When we speak of access to education, we are affirming our commitment in the Education Sector Plan to improve access to education for all our people, young and old, local or abroad. In light of this, Mr. Speaker, My Ministry in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance are actively engaged with the Caribbean Development Bank to explore options for the building of the TCICC Providenciales Campus and also funding to fully upgrade the Grand Turk Campus.
We have also heard the cry of our returning students, that are finding it difficult to find suitable job placement upon completion of their studies. Far too often, they are told that they lack the necessary experience. My Ministry is working closely with the Ministry of Border Control and Labour to implement a National Internship or Partnership Program. We will be working closely with the private sector to place students as interns during semester breaks and also to place students immediately following their studies. Mr. Speaker, these students can gain the experience while still studying, this is progressive thinking Mr. Speaker.
The Turks and Community College must be a beacon for tertiary education and skill certification in the Turks and Caicos Islands. This year Mr. Speaker, the amendment of the College Ordinance to allow it to offer its own bachelor degrees, was a significant milestone for the TCI Community College. Mr. Speaker, let me hasten to say, that was a natural progression. For you see Mr. Speaker, the staff at the College was teaching bachelor degrees already through the auspices of the Council of Community Colleges of Jamaica (CCCJ) and more than that Mr. Speaker, My College, our College, received horary mention last year by the President of CCCJ for the outstanding work and level of performance by or students. Mr. Speaker, we have done it, we will do it again and we will continue to shine among Community Colleges.
Mr. Speaker, the introduction of the nursing programme has been highly acclaimed and welcomed by the Ministry of Health, with whom the College consulted with every step of the way. Notice, I said introduction and not re-introduction. This programme Mr. Speaker is of a higher level. Prior to this, the College offered the programme in Clinical Nursing but this programme takes our students to the Registered Nurse lever. Right now, there are nine students enrolled. September is looking better.
Mr. Speaker, it is our continued hope to make TCICC relevant and responsive to the growing needs of this country. Over the course of this fiscal year, we will work with the TCICC to strengthen them and address some of the issues raised from the Statutory Body Review Report, and put in measures to expand their capacity to provide greater access to all our people. For example, we will work diligently with the TCICC to set up remote video linked classrooms, using noodle software technology, so that teachers in Grand Turk can permit students in Providenciales to participate without the need to duplicate resources. We will look to expand these online capabilities so that students can remain in their home island of South Caicos, North and Middle Caicos and attend classes via video link to the TCI Community College. We will explore the feasibility of using existing High School Spaces to permit evening classes by the TCICC. We will explore all avenues to maximize the use of the resources available to us to provide greater access to tertiary education for our people.
Mr. Speaker, in regards to creating more access for tertiary education in TCI, there is more progress to share: in this upcoming financial year; we are in active conversation with the University of the West Indies to expand their online study Program- “The UWI Open Campus”, in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Permit me to clarify Mr. Speaker. Many of our people are currently employed and would not have the time to sit-in a class-room setting from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, or to travel and attend Universities abroad. At the same time, if we want our people to get the Top Paying Jobs within these islands, we must provide them with the opportunities to improve their education and skills. Gone are the days where online studies were tabooed. Prestigious Universities such as Harvard, Oxford to name few are now offering online degrees. Our regional University, UWI have also made this technological jump, and recently celebrated their 10th year anniversary of online studies via the Open Campus Program.
Mr. Speaker, many of us in this house would have recalled the years back when UWI had a Distant Learning Program within the TCICC, in fact the then Government of the day had retrofitted a space and dedicated that space to the UWI to promote and facilitate access to tertiary learning. The UWI distant learning program was discontinued and replaced by the advance platform, and structured program as the UWI Open Campus.
Mr. Speaker, while it is true that the then Government was instrumental in applying and gaining approval for TCI to become full members of UWI, the opportunities which are available as full members were never fully explored. My Government will not make the same mistake. We will lift any obstacle, and explore all opportunities in our quest to provide access to education for our people.
At present, very few of our people have utilized this resource of online studies at the UWI Open Campus. Less than 35 to be exact. This is miniscule compared to the number of Caymanians, or Anguillans which are similar population sized. They have on average more than 200 students per year accessing online studies at the UWI Open Campus while holding a full-time job.
Mr. Speaker, my Government is forging a collaborative relationship with the University of the West Indies (UWI) to further expand the Open Campus Programme in the Turks and Caicos Islands. This will provide a greater range of courses to prospective students who may which to pursue further studies through an online modality. We are also in dialogue with the UWI to explore expansion of programmes at the Turks and Caicos Community College (TCICC) and to the establishment of a research centre at the TCICC.
Mr. Speaker, my Government has been proactive in advancing a number of policy initiatives to further develop the education sector. In February of this year my government launched two policies, the Education Sector Plan and the Alternative Education. Our Education Sector Plan strengthens and reinforces a whole system approach intended for the improvement of the quality of teaching and learning. It lays the foundation for mobilizing resources and aligning efforts to achieve goals for all areas in education. This plan provided the provision of quality education and is considered a key factor in accelerating the future growth and development of the Turks and Caicos Islands. It improves basic education for all children in the Turks and Caicos Islands, but the contributions of higher institutions were not overlooked, as well as the ability of the sector to meet and fulfil the growing need for skilled labour in the workforce.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my honorable colleagues and the general public to read through this plan which was launched in early February. This Plan tackles the challenges faced as the Ministry, Department and Schools strive to develop a world class education system. It takes a five-year look ahead, and sets out very clearly what we must do to make progress towards securing the high quality education system we need for our students.
The Alternative Education Policy has been enacted and is being rolled out in phases, ensuring that the necessary resources are in place. April of this year, we have begun the implementation of the Special Needs Policy with the launch of the “No Child Left Behind” Policy Initiative as well as the first Special Education News Magazine Called “Inclusion”. This new Special Needs policy initiative promotes a consistent approach to meeting children’s special educational needs and places the rights of children with special educational needs at the heart of the process, allowing them to be heard and to take part in decisions about their education.
Mr. Speaker, my Government has taken a comprehensive approach to ensuring that the education system is enhanced to provide students, from the early years through to tertiary education, with the skills required to succeed in the workforce and to become knowledgeable and competent individuals in society.
Focusing on Early Childhood Development, my Government has completed implementation of a new policy for the registration and monitoring of Early Childhood Centres which ensures that the facilities for such establishments are appropriate, and meet the required health and safety standards. A revised curriculum for Kindergarten has also been developed, which has been piloted and is scheduled for full implementation with the commencement of the new school year. This revised curriculum, Mr. Speaker, features the introduction of Health and Family Life Education and Performing Arts as critical components.
We are currently revising the primary school curriculum, the work on the curriculum guides for Infant 1 to Grade 2 is near completion. Work has commenced on the guides and development of the country specific subject for the Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence (CCSLC) which is to commence in September 2018.
The CCSLC, Mr. Speaker, will be implemented as the programme of study for lower secondary schools in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The programme will provide learners with knowledge, competencies, attitudes & values that will serve as a foundation for more advanced studies, the world of work and life as citizens of this country and the region.
Over the next two years, we will also phase out the Grade Six Achievement Test and introduce the Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA). This new approach will seek to test ensure that students are provided with the necessary skills and competencies to adjust in the High –School setting as oppose to them memorizing for an exam. in keeping with the revised curriculum being developed and implemented. We are working with Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) and training of our Teachers to deliver this
Mr. Speaker, it is clear that despite the challenges that we are facing in the education sector in regards to suitable space in some schools, there has been a sustained improvement of success in the graduation results of our students across the islands. It shows that our policies are working, our students are resilient and that the quality of teaching and learning in our schools is improving.
I pause here Mr. Speaker to recognize the dedicated men and women that are in the school system, our teachers, our Principals, Vice Principals, staff of the Department of Education, to say to them, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you for the work you have done. We faced a number of challenges during the course of the year, but you persevered. Words alone cannot express my gratitude. I admire your strength, courage and tenacity. Mr. Speaker just a few weeks after the storm, I was particularly moved by the way many Teachers, School Principals and school leaders were able to pick up the pieces, whether it was decorating make-shift dividers in the case of Oseta Jolly Primary School, or to repair damaged school furniture, just so that we can get our students back to school. As I stand here before you in this honorable house, my heart is full of glee and appreciation for our teachers. Every one of us can reflect and identify a teacher that was instrumental in shaping our lives, that is why Madam Premier, I think in the years to come, we should move a motion to make Teachers Appreciation Day, a National School Holliday. So that our teachers can take the day off, go to the beach, go to the spa or just to wake up late and have brunch. We must show true appreciation for our teachers and celebrate with them.
One of the areas that many of our teachers have been interested in for years; is the opportunities to continue with their studies, to build their capacity and opportunities for upward growth. We have heard our teachers and we are answering their call.
Last year we prioritized Teaching as a priority for the awarding of scholarship, and I am happy to say some 11 scholarships were issued for teaching. This year, we hope to have more applications and we would award more scholarships to encourage more locals to enter the profession of teaching.
The Department is also working with all schools to put in place proper and standardized Governance Structures. With this will come guidelines and training before appointing persons to senior positions such as Heads of Department and other positions within the school. We have begun to develop a comprehensive succession plan for the Ministry and the Department of Education, which would look at succession planning in each schools. In this budget, we have created three new positions;
- Assistant Education Planner
- Assistant Curriculum Development Officer
- Assistant Examination Officer
These new positions will permit serving local teachers who have upgraded themselves an opportunity for upward mobility.
While we are on the topic of capacity building, this year, my Ministry will put a lot of its focus of building capacity of our teachers and school leaders. We have allocated over $178,000 in the Education Department Budget to facilitate a slew of training we intend to deliver and some cases have already started. Never in the History of the Education System, have any Government allocated so much funds and made such a commitment to capacity building of our teachers. Mr. Speaker, permit me to list a few of the areas in which we are planning to deliver training;
- We are working in collaboration with the Government of Jamaica, Ministry of Education, through their National College for Education Leadership Unit to deliver School Leadership Training for all our Principals and Vice Principals of our public schools. Mr. Speaker, we cannot expect a transformational change in the education sector, if our school leaders are not equipped and appropriately train to take up the challenge and be the leaders of their school. I pause to take this opportunity to thank the Government of Jamaica for their support.
- We are also working with the Caribbean Examination Council to train all our public and primary school teachers for Grades 4-6 in the new Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA), which we will introduce in two years.
- We will be hosting a number of workshops and training on School Risk Reduction planning.
- We will be working in partnership with the UK Government and the Governor’s Officer to launch phase two of the Bernardos Child Safety Training.
These are but a few of the training plans we have for our teachers, school leaders and Department staff.
Mr. Speaker, I have spent the better part of the year, listening to the negative criticism, the bashing of the Ministry of Education and my Government by the members of the Opposite side of this honorable house. I took those criticism as a source of strength, to go out there and fight harder for our students, to secure more resources and get the job done. I am reminded of the parable of Talents in the bible. We all know the story, but to refresh our mind, the parable speaks of the servants which were provided with some talents and given an opportunity to make use of this talent. But instead, one did nothing and the other did very little. The same parallel can be drawn here Mr. Speaker. The Members across the aisle had opportunity to make use of their talent. Truth be told, very little was achieved and now Mr. Speaker, these great people of the TCI have given me an opportunity to serve them as the Minister of Education. I have made a solemn promise, to myself and to the people of these islands, I WILL NOT FAIL THEM, I WILL NOT WASTE THE TRUST THAT THEY HAVE IN ME. I WILL DELIVER FOR THEM and this budget represent just that.
Mr. Speaker, educating our citizens cannot be achieved by the Government alone. We recognize and appreciate the role that private schools play in our society. While it is true that in the past, the Government focused its attention on improving the public school system, this year we see improved partnerships with private schools. The Ministry of Education, Youth, Culture and Library Services has already commenced dialogue with Principals and proprietors of the private schools to explore opportunities in which my Government can provide greater support to private schools and raise standards in education across the sector.
YOUTH
Mr. Speaker, we as a government, are committed to bring change to our nation and to our young people. We are a country with great potential and great possibilities for the youth. My government has already involved the young people in the important role of helping to shape government policies and decisions through feedback of the Listening Tour. Mr. Speaker, that initiative made sure that the young people of the Turks and Caicos Islands voiced their opinion of what Government priorities should be for the youth.
Mr. Speaker, the Youth Department has been engaging in programmes to encourage young Turks and Caicos Islanders and young residents of this country alike, to get involved in service to the communities to gain valuable skills and experiences that will benefit them in every aspect of life.
The role of the Youth Department is one that empowers youth from all sorts of backgrounds. We want to amplify the voices of the young people throughout the country so a difference can be made in the future of their country, our country.
Mr. Speaker, last week, two ambassadors, Rhyesha Higgs and Layton Lewis, left for the Cayman Islands to represent the Turks and Caicos Islands at the Brexit Debate. I am confident that they performed well. I am also confident that the next generation will continue to create meaningful impacts not only here in the Turks and Caicos Islands but globally, creating a better world for a better tomorrow. Mr. Speaker, one of the programmes of the Youth Department made this possible. The National Youth Parliament/Speak Off of the Turks and Caicos Islands and Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in Partnership with The Department of Youth Affairs selected these two candidates to represent Turks and Caicos Islands at the regional Youth Parliament in George Town, Cayman Islands on June 22, 2018.
This morning, it gives me great pleasure to share with you, my colleagues, the Cadet Programme which continues to grow and have many positive impacts on our youth in the Turks and Caicos Islands. I applauded our students for their willingness to stand as leaders in their respective schools. Students are reminded that their conduct, their attitude, their achievements and how they serve other students are reflections of themselves and the Cadet core.
Mr. Speaker, in these current times of social challenge, it is critically important to remind our youth of the potential that lies within them. Through programmes designed by our Youth Department, we will continue to remind our youth that they are leaders and have the potential to be great leaders.
Mr. Speaker, although the youth are diverse in their talents and achievements, they hold in common, the ability to meet high standards and to achieve excellence. It is with this vision, Mr. Speaker, we have increased youth activities expenditure by a whopping 44%. Mr. Speaker, we are concerned about the youth of this country. My Government commitment to the youth is to educate them to lead personally and professionally to compete locally and contribute globally.
CULTURE
Mr. Speaker, I draw your attention to the budget on behalf of the Department of Culture.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to advise that an increase was made to the National Celebrations line item which will now allow the Department to provide support to various Cultural activities that will take place country wide. We recognized the shortfalls they have been experiencing over the years, and have provided additional funding to help support these activities.
The Department successfully launched its “Back to Our Roots” programme in January of this year and continues to host activities under that platform. Since that launch “A Day to Create” was held on the island of Providenciales and Grand Turk which brought together local musicians to write songs about the Turks and Caicos Islands. Dates have been scheduled to host similar sessions on the other islands within the next two months. It is anticipated that at the end of the sessions we will be able to produce a CD and will debut the songs during our heritage month celebrations. A calendar of events has been scheduled for the remainder of the year.
During the last fiscal year, we were able to fill the position of Senior Cultural Officer in the person of Ms. Alishia Duncanson and recently hired an Administrative Officer, Mrs. Chrissy Williams. Mr. Speaker, during the last summer, the Department of Culture once again hosted its Summer Camps that catered to school aged children. We were able to host a total of 98 children throughout the islands. Sessions were held that taught the children about our National Symbols, Local Music, Basket Weaving, Folk Songs, Dance, Local Games and Arts and Crafts. This year rather than the Summer Camps, we will be hosting various Community Workshops in forms such as Conch Arts, Rip Saw, Scrape Rug Making, Bush Medicine, Basket Weaving and other areas of cultural significance that will seek to engage both children and adults. This will take place during the months of July and August.
Plans have already commenced to have Rip Saw instruments donated to the schools throughout the islands to have a Rip Saw Band started in the schools within the new school year both primary and secondary levels. A Rip Saw Music Workshop will be conducted with all music teachers to aide with the startup of the bands. We will engage the assistance of local musicians to support this initiative. Additionally, we will be donating posters with cultural information on them that are intended to be posted at strategic locations for the school population to view regularly. This will bring greater awareness to, and enhance the knowledge of students regarding their cultural heritage.
Mr. Speaker, due the devastating hurricanes experienced by the islands last year we were unable to carry out the activities planned for National Heritage Month 2017. However, we were still able to move forward with a few radio talk shows to discuss Culture throughout the islands. This year plans have already commenced to host a number of activities that will engage the entire nation in celebration of our rich Cultural Heritage. Various activities, such as the James E Simmons Model Sail Boat Races, A Panel Discussion, Miss Culture Pageant, Island Float Parades and other activities have already been planned for the islands that will be representative of who we are as a people. Spending for this month will be obtained from the National Celebrations vote and a schedule of the planned activities will be rolled out closer to the time.
Mr. Speaker, The Department continues to make progress on the National Cultural Policy. Funds for this undertaking has been coming from the Professional and Consultancy vote. Technical support has been requested from CARICOM. During the Director’s visit to the Regional Cultural Committee meeting further dialogue will be held in this regard.
Mr. Speaker, the main purpose of the programmes of the Department of Culture is to identify, develop and promote the culture and heritage of the Turks and Caicos Islands for the purpose of nation-building and nurturing of national pride, identity and unity in diversity.
LIBRARY SERVICES
Mr. speaker, the Library Services is responsible for the administration and management of government libraries throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands. Libraries continue to play a vital and central role in shaping the education system of these islands. The presence of libraries in our society has also benefited the academia and students at various educational institutions throughout the country.
The library community has been evolving and remains quite relevant in a technologically-driven society through the array of services it offers to meet the demands of users. The Turks and Caicos Islands Public Library Service offers free access to computers, internet and other electronic resources to enable persons to utilize a range of informational, educational and recreational resources.
Mr. Speaker, last fiscal year begun with the department recovering from the devastating effect of the fire that destroyed the historic Victoria Public Library in Grand Turk, only to suffer from the might of hurricane Irma which virtually destroyed the South Caicos Public Library. Nevertheless, there were some positives which showed that the Library has grown and with this foundation, there is great optimism that the Library is poised to make a significant impact in satisfying the educational, informational and recreational needs of the users.
Mr. Speaker, this year the Library will continue plans to ensure the continued growth and development of the Library Service throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands:
- Discussions to continue with Carnival Corporation regarding plans to rebuild the Victoria Public Library that was destroyed by fire in March 2017
- Collaboration with the Education department to train language teachers in High school to deliver library instruction to new students.
- Collaboration with a team from FORTIS TCI to expand the homework assistance programme at the Providenciales Public Library.
- Collaboration with Radio Turks and Caicos to present a weekly children’s reading programme on the radio station.
- Establish partnership with the University of the West Indies, Mona and Roosevelt Public Library from New York to gain access to online resources.
- Introduce the online resource database, EBSCO host in all public Libraries
- Continue to update the resources of the library with more computers and books.
Mr. Speaker, together we as Turks and Caicos Islander need to build a continental information society of informed people, where libraries flourish, where consciousness is heightened and where the culture of reading is a way of life.
Mr. Speaker, this Department has over the years evolved into a dynamic service provider that connects people to knowledge and information. This year has seen the department embarking into new policy direction and initiatives that will drive our libraries to greater heights. The Library has risen beyond a place of just handling books, a number of extension activities has been introduced to meet the varying needs of an expanding clientele.
Mr. Speaker, the hosting of twenty-six exhibitions to mark national and international observances was one of the programmes introduced this year. Some of these included a month long display on the Turks and Caicos Island first national hero, disaster preparedness month, earthquake awareness month and a variety of health awareness topics.
A successful Read-a-thon under the theme “one world, many stories” at three of the libraries. This was opened to children who were placed in the age groups of 6-8, 9-11 and 12-14 years old. Both Providenciales and Bottle Creek Public Library had very good support and the champions were rewarded with trophies and tablets.
Summer programme was introduced at the Providenciales Public Library for one week in July 2017. This was held under the theme “TCI culturama” with over forty children participating. The aim of this programme was to provide activities were the children would learn new things while having fun during the summer holidays.
The hosting of monthly Tiny Tots club sessions at the Providenciales Library to cater for children between the ages of 2-4 years in an effort to introduce them to the love of reading and books at an early age.
CONCLUSION
Mr. Speaker, may I conclude by reiterating that the basic education system is definitely a system on the rise. All of us have a duty to ensure that the right of our learners to quality, effective, inclusive and efficient basic education is not negotiable. We now have a stable system that looks at the whole development of the child, our future leaders.
Mr. Speaker, may I sincerely extend a word of gratitude to my Ministry, generous businesses, partners and sponsors for their diligence and support.
We are immensely grateful to all the teachers, principals, parents, learners and other individuals, who work tirelessly to make quality, effective, inclusive, and efficient education a reality in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Last but not the least; I must thank my family for their unwavering care and support.
I thank you. God bless you.
