A proposed Early Childhood Development curriculum will be adopted by Education ministries throughout the OECS.
The Government of Saint Lucia through the Ministry of Education, the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and UNICEF held an Early Childhood Development Curriculum Sensitization Workshop on Tuesday.
The workshop was held to inform individuals of the proposed Early Childhood Development Curriculum Framework which will be adopted by Education ministries throughout the OECS.
Rufina Charles, Deputy Chief Information Officer for Instructions at the Ministry of Education commented on the significance of the framework.
“The document will reflect all the various foundations and structures needed for children to learn,” she said. “It is a known fact that all of us learn throughout our lives, and it is even more recognized now, that the early years are the most important for learning. It is in these early years that foundations for the future are laid.”
Head of the Education Development Management Unit for the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, Marcellus Albertin, said a key component of the sensitization exercise was to ensure that all member states attained full ownership of the framework.
“We have listened, assessed the problem, and worked with UNICEF, and the consultant has put together the curriculum for the OECS. while the curriculum is generic, Saint Lucia will pick from it what is unique to the Saint Lucian situation for adoption and implementation in the years to come.”
The May 10 event was the first in a series of meetings held throughout the week.
Environment Minister, Dr. Denis Lowe shaking hands with CIBC Managing Director, Mark St. Hill following a press briefing to announce the project. Looking on are CIBC Managing Director, Donna Wellington and NCC General Manager, Keith Neblett. (C.Pitt/BGIS)
Queen’s Park has been selected for an $80,000 upgrade.
It comes as part of the First Caribbean International Bank Adopt-a-Park project, which was established in collaboration with the National Conservation Commission.
Speaking at a press conference to formally endorse the initiative, Minister of the Environment and Drainage, Dr. Denis Lowe, told his audience that his vision was to make Queen’s Park the premier green space of the region.
“I have been the Minister of the Environment now for the last seven to eight years, and one of the things we have always tried to advocate is the involvement of the private sector in the business of the environment.
“I am very familiar with the mores of the bank and the standards that the bank has set for itself, in terms of being a progressive and active corporate citizen, not only in Barbados but across the Caribbean,” he stated.
The park will undergo beautification in the form of cleaning, painting, the erection of new signage and other efforts. Dr. Lowe lauded the initiative, indicating that “any activity which contributes to the saving of the earth is an activity worth engaging”.
The project falls under the ambit of the First Caribbean International ComTrust Foundation’s Adopt-a-Cause Portfolio, which encourages employees of that organisation to adopt projects in close proximity to their place of business.
Young Barbadians will again receive vital information this summer which should greatly assist them as they prepare for the workforce.
The Productivity Council will host four workshops on Preparation for the World of Work for students of secondary and tertiary institutions, new entrants to the workplace and members of youth groups who are between the ages of 15 and 25.
The two-day training sessions will be held on July 13 and 14; July 20 and 21; July 27 and 28; and August 3 and 4 at The Productivity Council, 3rd Floor, Baobab Tower, Warrens, St. Michael, beginning at 9:00 a.m. each day. Persons interested in participating should immediately call Roseann Morris at 626-9416.
Participants will learn about productivity, service excellence, work ethics and teamwork, as well as the importance of communication. They will also be taught about developing a curriculum vitae and cover-letter writing, and receive valuable job interview tips.
Human resource practitioners will be on hand to interview the participants and identify their strengths and weaknesses to assist them in mastering the interview process. Now in its eighth year, the programme’s objective is to help students transition smoothly from school to the work environment.
The Producer Price Index for Manufacturing recorded a decrease of 29.8 per cent for February 2016 when compared to the previous month.
According to data produced by the Barbados Statistical Service, a decrease was recorded in the index for Beverages of 74.7 per cent; Other Manufacturing of 11.5 per cent; and Other Non-Metallic Mineral Products of 1.2 per cent.
The index for Food Products recorded an increase of 0.6 per cent, in addition to Fabricated Metal Products, except Machinery and Equipment, of 0.3 per cent and Petroleum and Chemical Products of 0.1 per cent.
The following price indices remained unchanged from January to February 2016: Wearing Apparel; Printing and Reproduction of Recorded Media; Rubber and Plastics Products and Furniture. Between February 2015 and February 2016, the Producer Price Index decreased by 3.1 per cent from 106.1 to 102.8 points.
The index for the Food Production Sector increased by 0.6 per cent at the end of February 2016, when compared to the previous month. There was a decline in the sub-group indices for Dairy Products of 6.7 per cent, processing and preserving of fish, crustaceans and molluscs of 1.9 per cent.
The year-on-year index for Beverages for February recorded a small decrease of 1.1 per cent due to a decrease in the sub-group index for distilling, rectifying and blending of spirits of 15.4 per cent, in addition to the sub-group index of soft drinks: production of mineral waters and other bottled waters, of 26.6 per cent.
In the area of Other Non-Metallic Mineral Products, the comparison of the prices for February 2015 and February 2016 in this sector showed a decrease of 18.3 per cent. This decrease resulted from a decline of 37.8 per cent in cement, lime and plaster, in addition to the articles of concrete, cement and plaster sub-group of 2.5 per cent.
The year-on-year price index for Fabricated Metal Products, except machinery and equipment, declined by 10.6 per cent. This was attributed to the sub-group indices for Structural Metal Products of 14.1 per cent and forging, pressing, stamping and roll-forming of metal; powder metallurgy of 13.5 per cent. An increase was recorded for Other Fabricated Metal Products of 9.9 per cent.
The Electoral Observation Mission of the Organization of American States (OAS) that observed the General Elections in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on December 9, 2015, today presented its final report to the electoral authorities and to OAS member states.
The report notes the efforts by the Electoral Department to significantly improve, purge and update the voters list, thereby providing a more accurate reflection of voter participation. Likewise, the document suggests that this be a regular exercise in order to maintain a consistently clean electoral list. It further highlighted the implementation of an improved national identity card as one of the features of the elections.
The Mission, headed by Jacinth Henry-Martin, former Chief of Staff to the OAS Secretary General, also underscored the historic voter turnout of 74 percent and the high level of participation of women in most areas of the electoral/political process. Nevertheless it noted that this trend was not reflected in the number of female candidates, who comprised only 16.28% of the total number of candidates. In this regard, the Mission encouraged the initiation and/or strengthening of training programs in women political leadership.
In terms of the challenges, the final report reflects the lack of campaign financing legislation in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, an issue which has been the subject of previous recommendations by OAS Electoral Observations Missions. The report recommends drawing on the experiences of other countries in the region that have made positive strides in this regard.
The report further states that, while the conduct of the election was without any major incident, the Mission identified some areas where the election process could have been improved. Specifically when it refers to the final count of votes witnessed in one constituency—Central Leeward—where they identified some challenges, the observers noted some disquieting issues at this particular constituency, mainly referred to the incorrect application of seals, the absence of the Presiding Officer’s stamp and initials on some ballots and the possible partiality of the returning officer who conducted this recount. In that regard, the Mission’s recommendation is to ensure better training and stricter guidelines and procedures for poll workers in conducting the Final Count at polling stations.
Notwithstanding these concerns, OAS Observers did not discern any fraudulent or other activities at the final count “which could have materially affected the outcome of the vote.” The report also states that the aforementioned issues “strongly indicate a need for further training in rules and procedures for staff at all levels of the electoral machinery in order to reduce or eliminate the variations observed in the treatment of the ballots and ballot boxes, as well as a greater awareness of the need for professionalism and impartiality in the conduct of the electoral process, and closer screening of senior electoral officers to ensure that they comply with these indispensable requirement.”
The OAS Mission in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines was comprised of 13 observers from 11 countries. They observed electoral processes in 14 of the 15 country’s constituencies, visiting 74 percent of the polling stations. This is the fourth election that the OAS has observed in this member state.
Prime Minister Freundel Stuart presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award to Evan Marshall, who received the accolade on behalf of his mother, writer Paule Marshall. (C.Pitt/BGIS)
Prime Minister Freundel Stuart has reaffirmed Government’s commitment to the development of the literary arts in Barbados.
Mr. Stuart gave this assurance today while delivering an address at the launch of the Bim Literary Festival and Book Fair, at Ilaro Court.
The Prime Minister told his audience, which included outstanding local, regional and international writers and senior public officials, that Government had been unhesitating in its support to that sector through the Ministry of Culture.
He continued: “The National Cultural Foundation continues to provide opportunities for our up-and-coming writers to perfect their craft, through programmes such as the Writers’ Clinic which attracted 74 participants in 2015, and to showcase their work at events such as the Crop Over Read-In which attracted 25 writers in 2015.
“The National Independence Festival of Creative Arts offers yet another avenue where the work of our writers can be evaluated and rewarded. The National Library Service, whose headquarters will be used for the book launches and other activities, continues to make a significant contribution.”
Mr. Stuart expressed the view that literature, whether through the written or spoken word, should be valued as a medium of self-expression; a canvas for imagination; and an inventory of a community’s life, available for transmission from generation to generation.
“The preeminent role of literature in the entire cultural life of a country must therefore not be underestimated. With our focus – both in Barbados and in other CARICOM countries – on the cultural industries as an area ripe for development, the potential of literature in all its forms as a sub-sector of the cultural industries cannot be ignored.
“It is my settled conviction that decision makers in Barbados and the wider Caribbean would be selling this region short if we were to ignore the crucial importance of literature and the arts to the total liberation of our people,” he stated.
Mr. Stuart pledged that at the regional level, he would use all the opportunities presented to him to lend support across the region, so as to ensure that the rich literary tradition of the Caribbean lives on.
He pointed out that writers had contributed much to the country’s development over the years. According to him, Independence is about the decolonising of the mind and writers were the persons best placed to facilitate that effort.
The Prime Minister said he valued the emphasis placed by BIM Lit Fest on encouraging younger generations to develop the practice of reading, for there was no better instrument for the development and training of young minds.
During the launch, Mr. Stuart presented Evan Marshall, son of renowned writer Paule Marshall, with the lifetime achievement award, on behalf of his mother, from Writers’ Ink.
Mr. Marshall said it was a “fantastic accolade” to his mother, and expressed pleasure that she was being honoured. Describing her as a “towering” writer and person of the Caribbean, he said he only started to appreciate her work from about the age of 11.
UWI, Mona graduate and recipient of the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science (DSc) from The UWI, Professor Renn Holness, has been selected by the Canadian Neurosurgical Society (CNSS) to receive The Charles Drake Medal, its Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of his outstanding career and significant contribution to Neurosurgery.
Professor Holness will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Annual Congress of the Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation Congress in Quebec City, June 21 – 24, 2016. The President of the CNSS, Ian Fleetwood, in communicating this signal honour to him referred to Holness’ many leadership roles in Canadian Neurosurgery.
Renn Holness attained the Gold Medal in the 1968 Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) Final Examinations, obtaining Distinctions in Obstetrics &Gynaecology and Pathology & Microbiology as well as Honours in Medicine and Surgery.
He served as Professor and Head of the Department of Neurosurgery, Dalhousie University from 1987 to 1994 before serving as Director of The UWI Clinical Training Programme in Nassau Bahamas from April-October 2000.
Professor Holness was President of the Canadian Neurological Society, (1995- 1996) and Chairman of the Examining Board in Neurosurgery, Royal College of Physicians of Canada from 1997 to 2000.
The Department of Surgery, Radiology, Anaesthesia and Intensive care extends congratulations to this outstanding graduate. Presently, Professor Holness gives back to his Alma Mater, in his capacity as Professor and Examiner in Neurosurgery in the DM (UWI) Neurosurgery Programme and teaches surgical residents and medical students at the Cornwall Regional
Samuel Haynes Institute of Excellence Extension, Belize City
Empowering Belizeans with Excellence at Samuel Haynes Institute of Excellence and the Leigh Richardson Knowledge Center
Hundreds of Belizeans will now have even greater access to skills training and income generating programmes for self-empowerment and gainful employment at the newly built and fully furnished Leigh Richardson Knowledge Center on the South Side of Belize City. These programs will complement the ongoing after school and income generating programs already being offered at the Samuel Haynes Institute of Excellence facility. These programs include training for men, women and youth in cosmetology, information and communication technology, and driving. The Samuel Haynes Institute of Excellence has been offering instruction in computer literacy mathematics, reading, sewing, cake decorating and landscaping. The facility was built from funds provided by the Government of Belize through a loan from the Caribbean Development Bank under the Social Investment Fund Program and from a Grant from the Government of Japan. The total cost of construction was $716,960.64.
Inauguration ceremonies for the newly built Leigh Richardson Knowledge Center of Excellence will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday May 14, 2016.
The media and the general public are invited to attend this momentous occasion. “Belize Social Investment Fund…Breaking the Cycle of poverty”
DAKAR, SENEGAL, 27 April 2016. Ministers from the Eastern Caribbean countries of St. Kitts and Nevis and St. Vincent and the Grenadines attending the 103rd ACP Council of Ministers and 41st ACP-EU Joint Ministerial Council in Dakar, Senegal, from 25-29 April 2016 seized the opportunity to promote the concerns and interests of Eastern Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) at the high-level forum offered by the bi-annual intergovernmental encounter.
ACP Ministers met from 25-27 April in the land of Teranga (Senegal) to shape decisions on issues of relevance to the intergovernmental block of 79 developing countries such as trade and commodities, development finance cooperation, private sector development, climate change and the deployment of the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) at the intra-ACP level. Equally high on the agenda was the discussion on the future of the ACP Group. This was followed by a two-day ACP-EU Council session where major issues were debated, such as migration, negotiations on the revision of the Cotonou Agreement, trade cooperation and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. Preliminary joint reflections were engaged on the future of ACP-EU relations at a high-level event organized to that effect.
Honourable Lindsay Grant, Minister for Tourism, International Trade, Industry and Commerce and Consumer Affairs from St. Kitts and Nevis apprised ACP and European Ministers of concerns related to the blacklisting by the EU of many SIDS, including St. Kitts and Nevis, as non-cooperative tax jurisdictions, and strenuously defended the integrity of the country with respect to OECD transparency requirements, as it was ranked “among the best performers…in the area of observance of international standards on Transparency and the Exchange of Information on tax matters”. He called for the EU to bring closure to this situation through a proper review of the blacklist that, it is hoped, would lead to a removal of St. Kitts and Nevis from that list.
Minister Grant raised concern at the potential impact of the negotiations of the EU-USA Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and called for a study to be conducted on the implications for small economies of this effort towards “liberalization among the great”. Minister Grant also seized the opportunity to appeal to the European Union to reconsider its use of GDP per capita as a criterion for providing financial support for exogenous shocks and proposed the creation of vulnerability and resilience indicators to adequately gauge the impact of natural disasters and exogenous economic shocks on SIDS. The Commission agreed to undertake research on that matter. Minister Grant further appealed that “the accumulation of variables” in order to benefit from funding for exogenous shocks, “must not … serve as an impediment to being able to access these funds when necessary.”
Using his presence in Senegal, Minister Grant sought to build on and engage in bilateral encounters with a number of African Foreign and Trade Ministers in order to develop linkages within resource-rich Africa and to draw out the unique value of potential partnerships in the ever increasing areas of joint interest. It was also in that context that Minister Grant was confirmed by the current Chair of ACP Council of Ministers from the Congo, in the name of the entire ACP Group, as the incoming Chair of the ACP Council of Ministers, on behalf of the CARIFORUM region. St. Kitts and Nevis’ chairmanship of ACP Council and ACP-EU Joint Council is expected to cover the period 1 August 2016 to 31 January 2017.
The Honourable Sir Louis Straker, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade, Commerce and Regional Integration of St. Vincent and the Grenadines underscored to Ministers in Dakar the need for development cooperation to take into account the vulnerabilities of St. Vincent and the Grenadines including the impact of climate change and natural disasters on major industries of the Island including agriculture and tourism, and called for a review of the Banana Accompanying Measures (BAMs) and for special consideration within the 11th EDF intra-ACP programmes for the development of cashew nuts as a high value product.
Sir Louis Straker also called for the EU to pursue dialogue with countries that were served with a yellow-card under the EU’s Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) Fishing Regulation, and to provide relevant capacity building measures both bilaterally and to the relevant regional institutions where fisheries are dealt with. The Honourable Minister also praised St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ active promotion of youth entrepreneurship fostered by the Youth Empowerment Service (YES) and Supporting Education and Training (SET) programmes, and called on the ACP to take seriously the need to share experiences among the ACP Group as it seeks to reposition itself as a relevant organization for its Member States.
On the issue of the Belize-Guatemala and Guyana-Venezuela border disputes which was brought to attention of ACP Ministers, Minister Straker made an eloquent call to prefer the peaceful resolution of the matters and provided support to resolutions submitted for endorsement.
The major issue of the future of the ACP and future of ACP-EU relations was debated by Ministers as they received a report from the Eminent Persons’ Group set up to reflect on options for the Group’s future perspectives. Minister Straker underscored that though a “revamped ACP may not meet the needs of everyone, we need to take task of refining the organization seriously as it is one which we have long desired…and seek to maintain the unity and solidarity that are reflected in the Georgetown Agreement”.
The Eastern Caribbean States Ministers made substantive input in the Decisions, Resolutions and Declarations coming out of the ACP Council of Ministers including on Commodities and Fisheries, financing for efforts to stem the impact of the Zika virus in the Caribbean, as well as Border Disputes affecting Caribbean countries.
The Honourable Ministers formed part of a wider CARIFORUM group of Ministers present in Senegal from Barbados, Guyana, Haiti and Jamaica. ECS Ministers were supported by Mrs. Paula Hippolyte-Bauwens, Advisor, from the Embassies of the Eastern Caribbean States in Brussels.
(Press release courtesy of the the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
A delegation from Columbus School for Girls in Ohio, USA, will be on the island next week to introduce students at one primary school to the use of XO Touch laptop tablet computers in the classroom.
The group will on Friday, May 20, visit two classrooms at St. Alban’s Primary School in St. James and provide instructions on the features and capabilities of the system; as well as explain how to use the systems in the creation, design and execution of a class project. The training gets under way at 9:00 a.m.
The project is an initiative of the National Council on Science & Technology (NCST) and the Columbus School for Girls, and its main objective is to demonstrate how Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) can be integrated into the classroom to improve student efficiency and productivity.
Director of the NCST, Charles Cyrus; and Principal of St. Alban’s Primary, Wendine Prince, will welcome the visiting delegation. Later in the afternoon, a local group of trainers will work with the Columbus School for Girls to acquire proficiency in the use of the system so that they, in turn, can provide further training to others at the primary school level.
The XO Touch laptop is specially designed for children; it is a small, robust and attractive piece of technology which is Wi-Fi enabled and allows for collaboration among and between students in the classroom.
Thirty-five of these systems have been provided to the project by the Columbus School for Girls. On the group’s departure, the XO Touch laptops will remain in Barbados at the disposal of the NCST to be used as a resource for continual training of local primary school students.
