Expatriate students to pay school fees in Turks & Caicos

Thursday, February 5, 2004

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: Expatriate students currently registered in the Turks and Caicos Islands public school system will have to pay $200 per term for their education from this month, Minister of Education Lillian Been announced.

Been said although education is free in the Turks and Caicos Islands, the reality is that every person must, at some point, take responsibility for the provision of their children's education.

Fees for this term will become due on or before March 1, 2004 and registration for new students will remain closed until June/July 2004.

Students exempt from paying fees will be: pupils who are holders of a permanent resident certificate; pupils who are dependent children endorsed on permanent residence Certificate or a maximum of two children of non-belonger public servants.

Commenting on the new policy, Been stated: "Our educational system has proudly brought us where we are today, but as part of our nation-building and development process, certain changes in the structure, composition and delivery of our educational services will have to be made from time to time. As a country and a people, we cannot progress without change. These changes will be for the better and will ultimately prepare our country to deal with the challenges of the future."

The minister said that basic education can play a vital part in promoting friendship and loyalty, and in safeguarding the commitment to freedom and peace. 

She added: "This requires, on the one hand, that the facilities of education be available to all, and on the other hand, that children be exposed to ideas from many different backgrounds and perspectives and be encouraged to think for themselves and to reason."

Been said there are many concerns about the cost to Government of providing a seat for non-belonger children. Some of these concerns are legitimate for the most part, particularly given our limited resources, she said.

"But I want you to know that education is at the forefront of our Government's priorities. We realize that in a very real sense, education is our weapon. It is an essential tool for life and is the currency of survival," she added.

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