Government showing commitment to Youth Development

Minister of Education, Youth, Sport, Arts, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Dr. Lillian Boyce, has renewed her commitment to especially the youth of the country, based on the consideration that they will be the leaders of the country in the not-toodistant future.

Making her Youth Day delivery at the Gustarvus Lightbourne Complex, Downtown Providenciales recently, Hon. Boyce told the dozens of young people in attendance that her government, in record time, had doubled its efforts to ensure that amenities are put in place for them to excel at every level.

“You know that your government is investing heavily in sports and in our youth, and this is a testimony of what you, our youth of this country means to us. I will work for you everyday that God gives me breath, and my Government will continue to serve you, our young people, and of course, our people of the Turks and Caicos Islands,” Minister Boyce affirmed.

She told the gathering that over the last three weeks, three groups geared towards youth development were formed, under the auspices of the Education and Youth Ministries. The groups are the Providenciales Cadet Corps, which has been established at the Clement Howell High School; the Kitchener Marching Band and the National Youth Choir.

Hon. Boyce lauded the Police Department, along with National Athletics Coach, Michael Jules for recruiting and preparing the cadets for the Youth Day activities, noting that when her Government was approached by Kitchener Penn to establish a marching band in the TCI, her administration acted swiftly in giving the green light.

“You have seen your children, our children – the Cadet Corps on the field this evening, and I am so proud of them. In a very short time our police officers and their national coach took time out of their busy schedule to train these young people and I am thankful to them,” Minister Boyce said.

"I was very pleased when Kitchener Penn wrote to the Government and asked us to support him with the sponsorship of the marching band. And our Government quickly rose to that occasion and today we have some of our young people involved in that marching band. The National Youth Choir is made up of all the islands in the Turks and Caicos. Their uniform will be our national dress.”

Minister Boyce encouraged parents to ensure that their children take up the number of opportunities that Government has made available to them, since such openings will broaden their horizon in many areas.

Kelano Forbes, the Youth Ambassador for the Turks and Caicos, who also spoke at the event, encouraged the people to embrace the opportunities that are set out before them. He encouraged them to keep their sights set on their goals, and not to allow any form of distraction to get in their way.