The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture has released the 2021/22 and 2022/23 Education Statistical Digests, marking a significant milestone in the Ministry’s efforts to strengthen a modern, transparent, and data-driven education system in the Turks and Caicos Islands. For the first time, the digests are available in both downloadable PDF and interactive online formats.
The digests provide comprehensive data on students, teachers, academic performance, tertiary education, vocational training, and education financing. Key findings include:
- Total student enrolment declined from 7,764 to 7,490, while the proportion in public schools increased from 58.1 per cent to 61.8 per cent.
- Teacher numbers grew from 576 to 612, alongside expansion in special education staffing.
- Academic performance in national and regional examinations remained steady, with improved Mathematics pass rates at CSEC level.
- Local tertiary enrolment at the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College rose from 288 to 377.
- Education budget allocations totalled $48.2 million in 2021/22 and $45.2 million in 2022/23.
Hon. Rachel M. Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, highlighted the role of data in shaping effective education policy: “This initiative reflects our broader vision: to create a modern, inclusive, and responsive education system that leaves no learner behind. By embracing technology and strengthening our data culture, we are ensuring that every policy decision and every classroom strategy is guided by evidence, not assumption.”
The Ministry has published Education Statistical Digests annually since 2013/14, collecting data from all public and private primary and secondary schools. Recent improvements include establishing 31st October as School Census Day in 2023 and entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with private schools in 2024 to strengthen digital transformation in education, including the use of OpenEMIS.
The 2021/22 and 2022/23 digests were developed through a project led by Education Policy and Planning Officer Ms Diandra Gray, with consultancy support from Kairi Consultants Ltd. The project focused on capacity building and data system strengthening, and was informed by four stakeholder consultations involving educators, school leaders, public officers, clergy, community members, and media representatives.
With support from the Digitisation and E-Government Technology and Innovation Department, the digests are now available as interactive online versions hosted on Power BI. This allows users to explore data by island, nationality, sex, school type, and other variables for a dynamic and personalised experience.
The Ministry acknowledges the support of Hon. Rachel M. Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture; Permanent Secretary James Astwood; Deputy Permanent Secretaries McCartney and Howell; the Digitisation and E-Government Technology and Innovation Department; Kairi Consultants Ltd.; and all stakeholders whose collaboration made this publication possible.
The 2021/22 and 2022/23 Education Statistical Digests, along with all previous editions, are available at https://www.gov.tc/education/reports Guidance on accessing the interactive features is provided on the final page of each digest.
