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Cayman Islands Department of Education Services

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The operational arm of the Cayman Islands Government education service.
Under @educationcayman

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📢 UPDATED ON 17 AUGUST

The Department of Education Services (DES) encourages students, parents and guardians to be prepared for the 2026/2027 academic year by taking note of the start dates for government schools.

View the complete 2026/2027 Government School Calendar at schools.edu.ky or contact your child’s school for additional information. by @descayman

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2 months ago

Ms. Nickesha Watson is a Year 5 teacher at Joanna Clarke Primary School, where her carefully planned lessons and high expectations help students grow academically and in confidence. As the school’s PBIS Coordinator, she leads activities that promote positive behaviour, school connectedness and student wellbeing. These include the STARR Programme, through which students earn tokens for living out the school’s expectations.

She helps organise school-wide events and celebrations that recognise good character. Committed to continuous improvement, she continues to refine her teaching practice, with a particular focus on questioning techniques that deepen student thinking.

Congratulations to Ms. Nickesha Watson on receiving the Outstanding Teacher Award at Joanna Clarke Primary School! by @descayman

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2 days ago

Ms. Carolyn Powell teaches the Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities class at Lighthouse School. She ensures her students make meaningful progress in engagement, communication, regulation and independence. She has consistently achieved Grade 5 in her EPM ratings, led the ASDAN programme for many years and mentors assistant teachers and junior colleagues.

She is also a skilled sign-language interpreter and has supported government agencies, private organisations and the Deaf community, including during COVID-19. Ms. Powell is Lighthouse School’s longest-serving staff member, with 30 years of service, and will retire next year.

Congratulations to Ms. Carolyn Powell on receiving the Outstanding Teacher Award at Lighthouse School! by @descayman

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2 days ago

Ms. Marica Oxilly-Walker teaches at Prospect Primary School, combining strong subject knowledge with engaging, purposeful teaching. She maintains high expectations, with most students making expected progress, and inspires them to strive for excellence through her belief in their abilities.

Beyond the classroom, she supports every school initiative and actively contributes to the wider school community. Her commitment to continuous improvement is evident in her regular evaluation of her teaching practice to identify areas for growth.

Congratulations to Ms. Marica Oxilly-Walker on receiving the Outstanding Teacher Award at Prospect Primary School! by @descayman

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3 days ago

📺 Tune in to CIGtv or the Cayman Islands Government's Youtube channel LIVE on Thursday, 15 October at 5:00 PM for the Clifton Hunter High School 2026 Graduation Ceremony.

📡 youtube.com/@CaymanIslandsGovernment by @descayman

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3 days ago

Special Education Needs Coordinator Mrs. Shae Roberts in the Department of Education Services (DES), has been named CIG Employee of the Month for July 2026. She was recognised for Creating a Culture of Accountability, one of the goals of the Civil Service Strategic Plan.

At Layman E. Scott Sr. High School, Cayman Brac, Mrs Roberts leads the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) department, coordinating support and advocacy for students with additional needs. She works closely with teachers, families, specialists and external stakeholders to ensure students receive appropriate support, while fostering a culture of teamwork and inclusion. A champion for inclusive education, she also initiated and coordinated Cayman Brac’s first Community Autism Awareness Walk, which has since become an annual event.

Deputy Governor Hon. Gloria McField-Nixon praised Mrs Roberts’ contributions, stating, “Mrs Roberts demonstrates the kind of accountability and leadership that strengthens public service and improves outcomes for the people we serve. Her commitment to inclusion reflects the Government’s responsibility to ensure that every member of our community has the opportunity to thrive.”

The Ministry of Education & Training and the Department of Education Services congratulate Mrs. Roberts for this achievement. by @descayman

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4 days ago

Ms. Nashanda Maitland-Ebanks is a Year 4 teacher and English Lead at Theoline McCoy Primary School, where her imaginative lessons consistently earn “excellent” ratings against the Department of Education framework. Clear classroom routines help students who find school challenging to thrive, while local Caymanian examples and oracy strategies make learning relevant and engaging.

In her role as English Lead, she drives initiatives such as Literacy Week and Cayman Culture Week, and for International Literacy Day, brought Camille Angel’s poetry and art into every KS2 classroom. The quality of her teaching is further reflected in the selection of her students’ books as the school’s benchmark during inspections.

Her commitment to professional growth is equally evident in her willingness to dedicate days of her summer holidays to pedagogy workshops. As described by her nominator, she is “the ironwood pillar of the school community.”

Congratulations to Ms. Nashanda Maitland-Ebanks on receiving the Outstanding Teacher Award at Theoline McCoy Primary School! by @descayman

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4 days ago

📺 Tune in to the Cayman Islands Government LIVE on Wednesday, 14 October at 7:00 PM for the John Gray High School 2026 Graduation Ceremony.

📡 Watch the live stream on:

CIGTV
CIGTV YouTube by @descayman

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5 days ago

The Department of Education Services (DES) confirms that air conditioning issues affected sections of Joanna Clarke Primary School and Prospect Primary School earlier today, Tuesday, 13 October.

Contractors are on site, and work is underway to fully restore cooling in those areas.
The well-being of our students and staff remains our highest priority, and DES continues to monitor both sites closely. We assure parents, guardians and the wider community that both schools remain open and that instruction is continuing.

The Department thanks the school leadership teams, staff and contractors for their swift response. We also thank parents for their patience and understanding.
Schools will contact parents directly with any updates, and parents are encouraged to contact their child’s school with any questions. by @descayman

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5 days ago

The Ministry of Education and Training and the Department of Education Services are deeply saddened by this morning’s tragic incident involving three students from East End Primary School, and extend heartfelt sympathy to their families and the entire school community.

Out of respect, and to give students, staff and families time to come together and support one another, the Ministry has suspended classes at the school for the remainder of today, Tuesday, 13 October.

Parents and guardians are asked to collect their children from the school as soon as possible.

Students who normally travel by school bus will be taken home this morning, with buses departing the school at approximately 11:30am. Parents and guardians of these students are asked to make sure someone is available to meet their child at the usual drop-off point. Any student who is not met by a parent or guardian will be brought back to the school and cared for until they are collected.

Members of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) will be on site to care for and support students whose parents or guardians are unable to collect them right away. All students will remain under adult supervision until they are safely collected.

Counsellors are also available to support students and staff today and, in the days, ahead.

The Ministry and the Department ask that the privacy of the families be respected at this difficult time, and that the public refrain from speculation, including on social media. Further updates will be provided through official channels as appropriate. by @descayman

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5 days ago

Mrs. Kashena Powell-Bennett is a science teacher at Clifton Hunter High School. By bringing project-based learning into her lessons, she has increased her students’ enthusiasm and participation and encouraged them to take ownership of their learning. Her lessons are meticulously planned to meet diverse needs, and she uses ongoing assessment to adapt her teaching. Beyond the classroom, she collaborates with colleagues on school initiatives and serves on committees that shape school culture and policy. She regularly seeks feedback and professional development, so she keeps growing as an educator.

Congratulations to Mrs. Kashena Powell-Bennett on receiving the Outstanding Teacher Award at Clifton Hunter High School! by @descayman

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5 days ago

Mrs. Thrica Brooks-Rookwood is a Year 6 teacher and Key Stage 2 English Lead at East End Primary School, where she has served for more than 10 years.

Her commitment to academic excellence was reflected in her class achieving the school’s highest overall results in 2025/2026, while her literacy interventions helped improve school-wide reading results from 32 to 51 per cent. Beyond the classroom, she leads collaborative planning, mentors newly hired teachers and organises events such as Maths Night and Literacy Week to strengthen parental engagement.

Guided by her belief that every child can learn, she remains a passionate advocate for inclusive education and student success.

Congratulations to Mrs. Thrica Brooks-Rookwood on receiving the Outstanding Teacher Award at East End Primary School! by @descayman

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5 days ago