School Census Day Launch Regarded As Successful

A section of the audience at the School Census Launch at the Blue Haven Conference Room.

The inauguration event for the Ministry of Education's School Census Day initiative witnessed the attendance of 45 individuals, including Principals, Vice Principals, Teachers, Education Officers and Ministry Officials.

Hosted by the Policy and Planning Unit (PPU) within the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Social Services, the successful launch occurred on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at the Blue Haven Resort in Providenciales. The guest speaker was Mr. Shirlin Forbes, Head of the Statistics Unit.

School Census Day, now integrated into the academic calendar and scheduled annually for October 31st, signifies a pivotal milestone in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) educational landscape.

 School Census Day is a day when all educational institutions in the TCI unite to submit vital education data to the Ministry. This initiative is at the heart of the Ministry's ongoing mission to ensure an inclusive and equitable quality of education and lifelong learning opportunities for every child and youth in the TCI.

Shena Stubbs, Acting Principal of the A. Louise Garland Thomas High School receiving a complimentary gift from Minister of Education Hon. Rachel Taylor during the event.

Accurate data collection, according to the ministry, is paramount in fostering educational excellence, and the School Census Day is a significant step in this direction.

 The PPU’s goal, as it pertains to School Census Day, is to “Empower Education through Data”. This goal, the ministry said further, signifies its commitment to utilising information gathered on School Census Day to make informed decisions, develop effective policies, and implement programmes that enhance the quality of education and benefit students, parents, teachers and communities.

By harnessing the power of data, the PPU aims to drive positive changes in the education system and create a more informed, transparent, and efficient educational environment.

 Minister of Education, Hon. Rachel Taylor was pleased with the launch, the level of support and the prospect of the programme.

 "On School Census Day, we embark on a journey that transcends mere data collection; it's a journey towards empowerment and improvement. Each data point provided is a commitment towards a brighter, more inclusive, equitable, and prosperous future for every child in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“The launch of School Census Day is a testament to the government's unwavering dedication to fostering an educational environment that empowers and uplifts every child, ensuring that no one is left behind.

“Moreover, this initiative aligns seamlessly with the government's overarching goal of building a data-driven governance framework, emphasising comprehensive, accurate, timely data collection, analysis, and informed decision-making.

“Therefore, I invite all principals to pledge to submit their school data to the Ministry every year by October 31 (School Census Day). Let this be a tradition, a symbol of your unwavering dedication to enhancing education in the TCI.”

For further information on the School Census Day initiative and its profound impact on educational development, contact the Policy and Planning Unit of the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Social Services at 649-338-4805/649-338-3143/649-338-3141.