From 22 -25 July 2025, the Honourable Rachel M. Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, led a high-level delegation on an official visit to Jamaica to engage with key educational stakeholders. The objective of this mission is to strengthen the educational systems of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), spanning from Early Childhood to Tertiary Education, through strategic partnerships and knowledge exchange.
The delegation included Mr. James Astwood, Permanent Secretary, Ms. Elisann Delancy, Deputy Director, Department of Education, Mr. Jaron Harvey, Director of Rehabilitation and Community Services, Dr. Suzette Creary, Dean, Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC).
Over four days, the delegation met with various institutions and leaders to explore collaborative opportunities in youth rehabilitation, curriculum development, teacher training, special education, STEM education, and alternative education pathways.
Highlights of the visit included an insightful tour of the Youth of Vision Academy (YOVA), where the team engaged with Dr. Noel Reid, Director, and Jennifer Alexis-Codner, Founder/Director. Discussions focused on innovative approaches to youth education and rehabilitation.
Strategic dialogue was also held with Jamaica’s Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth, and Information in which the TCI delegation met with Dr. Kasan Troupe, Permanent Secretary, and senior executives. Key discussions centered on:
- Alternative Education Pathways
- Inclusive Education and Special Education Needs
- Support Strategies for Underperforming Students
- Alignment of vocational training with Caribbean Vocational Qualifications (CVQ) and CSEC standards
The team also visited MICO Teacher’s College, where they held discussions with President Dr. Asburn Pinnock and faculty members on:
- Secondary Teaching Programmes
- TCICC collaborations for teacher training
- Strengthening STEM education and teacher training
- Opportunities for a student exchange and cultural caravan to the Turks and Caicos Islands
Continuing the focus on advancing higher education and assessment standards, the TCI Delegation had a working session at University of Technology (UTech), where the delegation, alongside UTech leadership and TCICC’s Dean, explored potential partnerships for tertiary-level programmes, teacher training, and strengthening STEAM initiatives.
The team likewise met with Dr. Eduardo Ali, Pro-Registrar and Deputy CEO of the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), and his team. Discussions included:
- CXC Offerings and Alternative Pathways to Assessment
- National Literacy and Numeracy Assessment
- Professional Learning Institute (PLI) resources for teacher development
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy alignment with CXC frameworks
The visit today will include engagements at HEART/NSTA Trust, where the delegation will discuss technical and vocational training opportunities with Managing Director Dr. Taneisha Ingleton and her team.
The final meeting will feature Mrs. Latoya Harris Chatty, Executive Director of the National Trust, and Dr. Traceloy Solomon, Director of Projects, Jamaica Education Project, focusing on STEM education policies for primary and secondary schools, teacher training, and the establishment of STEM-focused schools.
Speaking on the visit, Honourable Taylor expressed her satisfaction with the outcomes of the visit:
“This mission is integral in building bridges between our education systems and ensuring that Turks and Caicos Islands students and teachers benefit from the best practices in the region. We are committed to fostering partnerships that will enhance curriculum delivery, strengthen teacher training, explore different pathways to education for our students as we prepare our students for global competitiveness.”
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