Turks and Caicos Islands

With an expansive education system strongly influenced by the British tradition, the Islands feature compulsory education from Grade One to Ten, including a complete eleven years of schooling. With strong influences from the English tradition, recent reform efforts led by PINSTEP (Primary Service Teacher Education Project) has improved standards on the Islands from instruction to course materials. Increases in educational funding, provided by development funds have raised educational standards at all levels, ranging from early childhood education to post-school literacy programs for adults.

In addition to the Island’s many primary and secondary school’s, there are a number of prominent Universities on the Island, including the local Island Community College, which has campuses across the Island, along with the major Saint Clements University and a Boston University Field University, which provides students an opportunity to explore the various facets of local culture and ecology. St. Celements is one of the leading professional schools on the Islands, and is linked to a global University that accords degrees in over 50 countries. Many critics have contended that standards are not sufficiently rigorous and the school’s credentials are not recognized by graduate programs in the United States.

Many British Nationals come to the Island for teaching opportunities in language ans science, drawn by the close links between the two countries and the opportunity to experience the unique culture. In total, there are six primary schools on the Island, along with four secondary schools, all of which operate under the Ministry of Education. Local and regional reform efforts have focused on a standard level of requirements across all schools. In addition, various private schools, such as the British West Indies Collegiate Prep programme and the New Age Academy focus on a higher level of standards for students. Specialized educational programs for researchers include the Provo Marine Biology Center, as well as a variety of local programs.

While the infusion of international travelers and regional buyers has shifted the demographics of the island in recent years, the core demographic of the Island remains Protestant and relatively young. In total, just over 30,000 citizens inhabit the Islands, with nearly a third of the population below 16 years old. Population growth is modest, although the life expectancy is higher than the regional average, with improvements in local institutions and health care.

The intersection of British and local traditional has infusion a Bahamian-regional dialect into the traditional English language. Visitors to the Island, as a result, are likely to hear a variety of new words and sayings that show how the combination of cultures has created an entirely unique subculture on the Islands.

The local arts scene features its own genre, ripsaw, which combines European and traditional Caribbean melodies to produce a unique sound. Each year a Music Festival showcases local talent, along with drawing critics from throughout the world. The fusion of British culture, as a product of the close ties of the Islands, is linked to the shared nationality as accorded to the Overseas Territories Act - as a result, British culture has become a product of its various expression, as can be seen in the active Caribbean culture within the Notting Hill Carnival.

While traditional Caribbean culture is active and on display on the Islands, you can also see the clear influence of European culture in creating a unique set of artistic genres. From the language to the art and music on the Island, Turks and Caicos is sui generis.

Primarily a trade and tourism hub, the local economy of Turks and Caicos is dominated by a series of industries including hotels and restaurants, development and construction, trade and manufacture, as well as local financial services. The local economy has grown as a result of being a 2nd and vacation home to a variety of wealthy travelers from Europe and North America, along with a development boom in recent year that has produced upscale Western-style resorts and restaurants. A central hub for regional trade, the Island is a common destination for imports and exports in route to major markets, as well as undergoing active commercial and residential development.

Most local workers remain in manual labor, with a focus on construction, although the professional and skilled classes has grown in recent years. Unemployment remains tame relative to international norms, and, although it has risen with the global recession, development on the island continues. Exports include a variety of local vegetation, including citrus fruit, cassava and a variety of fish. The Island is also the home of the major distribution farm for conch in the Hemisphere and serves as a regional hub for linens, tobacco and other imports from South American in route to Mexico, United State and Canada.

Every year, nearly 75,000 tourists from the United States along come to the Island and the annual total from all sources exceeds a quarter million visitors. This growth in tourism has kept shopping centers, destination tours and new developments active. Catering to specific groups, the Club Med focuses upon serving European tourists by providing upscale spas, water sports and cuisine, with private guides and tours. The world’s economic and cultural elite are known for vacation on the island and a number of prominent destination weddings are held on the Islands every year. Local sports has benefited from development of a Formula One track along with a Provo Championship Golf Course.

Technically governed as a British Territory, Turks and Caicos enjoys a high level of political autonomy from its mother country. Formally recognized as an independent identity by the United Nations, Turks and Caicos celebrates the adoption of its own constitution on the 30th of August (dating back to 1976, when it was first signed.) Over the years, political life on the Island has gone through a variety of stages, which led to a new constitution in 2006, based upon Common Law but with more local autonomy. English remains the prime language on the Island and the ties to the United Kingdom remain strong, although local governance has advanced in recent years.

The country is headed by a governor, who represents the Queen, while local government is headed by a premier who oversees a split cabinet, appointed locally and in coordination with the governor and the local House of Assembly. The Assembly hosts 21 members who are elected by all citizens over 18 years old every four years and must compete for terms. A vibrant party system is led by the Progressive National Party, whose charismatic leader Michael Misick, has been a dominant figure in local politics for decades. While the government is not as fully developed across all areas, the Supreme Court as well the Court of Appeals is based upon English Common law and is regulated by a Judicial Committee from the United Kingdom.

Economically, the Island is part of the Caribbean Development Bank and maintains a defense relationship with the United Kingdom. Concerns about corruption has arisen recently, which has strengthened local movements toward independence in the territories. Close ties with Canada, as well as native groups aiming for political independence has dominated local elections and figure to become more prominent in the future.

As the largest on the Turks Islands, Grant Turk covers nearly 20 square kilometers and is complete with diverse demographics as culture. The hub for Cockburn Town, the country’s capital, as well as the McCartney International Airport, Grand Turk serves as a focal point for economic and cultural activities on the Island. Primarily an economic and tourism engine, there are only 4,000 locals living on the island at any point, although there are many more travelers and workers there temporarily. Although many believe that the Island has historical roots to Turkey, the name itself derives from native cacti on the island, known as the Turk Cap (for its resemblance to the fez.)

While traditionally a subdued part of the Island, with an active but understated tourism scene, the Island features a number of prominent displays, including regional museums and a replicate of the Mercury Spacecraft which landed off the Island in the 1960s. The maritime travel tradition dates back to the 15th century, when Christopher Columbus came across the Island’s shores in advance of finding mainland North America.

Travelers to the Island can arrive via flights from Fort Lauderdale, and can stay at many of the Island’s local resorts. The prominently displayed maritime lighthouse extends along with shores of the Island, marking the treacherous shores that once posed a danger to arriving captains (before motorized ships.) Once on the Island, you can enjoy water sports and diving across the many core reefs and crystal clear snorkeling and diving waters. A number of prominent Island-wide parties take place at the Osprey Beach Resort, which feature live, local music along with a variety of family adventures. Those seeking more adventure can enjoy Jeep Safaris, Dune buggies and deep sea scuba diving, led by certified tour guides.

Fine local diving includes Michael’s, home of traditional Jamaican cuisine and the fusion Birdcage restaurant, located on Osprey Resort. Guests will be treated to the diversity and wealth of local culture, set apart from he rest of the Caribbean but connected in culture.