Acting Director of the Forestry, Wildlife and Parks, Minchinton Burton is calling on hunters and nationals alike to respect the open and closed policy of the hunting season.
He was speaking at a workshop for local hunters on Wednesday, May 11th.
“The Division of Forestry, Wildlife and Parks has, over the years, been involved in ensuring the sustainable use of our natural resources and hunting is a very important part of that. That’s why in the Forestry and Wildlife Act, we have instituted open and closed seasons for hunting. One of the key reasons for that is to ensure that we can sustain the population for future generations. The abundance of wildlife that we enjoy in Dominica, many other countries, do not have.”
He stated that without proper management, Dominica’s wildlife will suffer.
“The work that we’ve done to manage our wildlife resources has assured us wildlife species those of which you enjoy during the hunting season. We have an open season which is normally about a three month period between October and December to coincide with our Independence celebrations. For most of the years we close that season to give the [wildlife] population an opportunity to recover. Were it not for that management system, I’m sure that many of the species would have been extinct or near extinction here.”
The Director encourages hunters to submit relevant data and help the Division update its database.
“You as hunters are obligated to maintain healthy and biological diverse hunting population to protect their habitat. It is very important that we get assistance from you to collate data. We get a lot of important information from a lot of you because you are the ones out there. Some of you tell us about areas where you find less animals and their health.”
He urged hunters to “Assist us with information of your catches from different parts of the island.”
The Ministry of Tourism and Urban Renewal, working closely with the Roseau City council has embarked on a cleanup campaign of the city of Roseau.
GIS News spoke with the Hon Minister for Tourism and Urban Renewal, Senator Robert Tonge in an exclusive interview on Thursday, May 12th.
“We got involved because we are cognizant that it impacts on tourism; one of the low scores we got on the Business Research and Economic Advisors (BREA) report was to do with cleanliness. So we looked at the entire report and developed a suite of objectives to deal with the issues properly.
“We did a full sweep of Roseau and now from 5am-10am, there is a team of 12 guys going throughout the city cleaning the gutters and making the city more presentable. So right now you will see that the gutters are cleaner than they used to be.”
He notes that the issue of litter must be concerning to all.
“The fundamental issue that we have is that as soon as we clean, people are still littering drains indiscriminately. They are throwing bottles in the drains even when there are bins nearby; if you look into the bins, 90% of them are mostly empty. W really implore the people of Dominica to have a bit more pride and maintain the same practices as when your are out of the country.”
He is calling on nationals to play their part and listed an upcoming campaign titled, ‘I am Dominican and I Do Not Litter’.
“We depend on you. Garbage has no feet or hands; it’s not able to move on its own and we have to stop that practice of indiscriminately dumping garbage all over the place. Dominica would be a much better and cleaner place,” he appealed.
The Ministry of Agriculture wishes to inform the General Public especially vendors, purchasers and retailers that the theft of agricultural produce continues to be a problem for farmers.
The Ministry is therefore seeking the public’s cooperation in supporting local farmers and their livelihoods by not purchasing agricultural produce from non-farmers.
The Ministry has a farmer’s registration system where all farmers are required to register with the Ministry of Agriculture, registered farmers then are issued an identification card.
To aid in ensuring that the vendor from which you are making a purchase is authorized to do so, please ensure that the seller issues a receipt for after purchases as well as a telephone number or shows their identification card as evidence.
Thanking you in advance for your cooperation in this regard.
Governor General Seaton (seated, 3rd from left) and PM Harris (4th from left) along with members of the Police High Command and the awardees.
Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 13, 2016 (SKNIS): Twenty-five members of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF) were honoured on Thursday (May 12) for their commitment to duty and service to country.
The men and women were chosen from a group of 50 eligible officers who took the oath of office 18 years ago. The ceremony was held at Government House and was attended by the Governor General His Excellency, Sir S.W. Tapley Seaton, Permanent Secretaries, the RSCNPF High Command and other senior members.
Prime Minister, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, addressed the officers and said he was privileged to celebrate the loyalty and dedication of the awardees with the rank and file of the force.
“When they took their oath some 18 years ago, they swore to “do right to all manner of people without fear or favour, affection or ill will,” he said. “These long-service and good conduct medals only go a small way towards recognising the dignity and dedication of their office in keeping our communities safe places for all.”
The prime minster, who is also the minister responsible for national security, highlighted that the 2016-2019 Police Strategic and the Improved Service Delivery Plan 2015-2016 places emphasis on several key areas including personnel matters. It includes to retain and motivate staff; to provide rewards and recognition; and to develop a recognition programme for member longevity and an enhanced use of ‘quality time.’
Prime Minister Harris added that he is confident that the multidimensional approach taken by the policing plans will produce a highly motivated, professional and productive police force.
“I am therefore pleased that the Police Force, under the new High Command, is moving in the right direction. It will not be easy and will not happen overnight because some of the undesirable practices and negative elements are still present. These are the challenges that the new leadership is committed to address,” he said, adding that the force is moving in the right direction. “I am therefore delighted that (this) event rewards those people who have demonstrated some of those fine qualities and who are to be distinguished by receiving their Long Service and Good Conduct Medals. I congratulate all of you and wish you well in your future engagement, whether on or off duty and I hope that you will continue to be true exemplars of the country’s motto “Country Above Self”.
According to an official releases from the RSCNPF the officers recognized at the ceremony were: Gazetted officers, Assistant Commissioner of Police Andre Mitchell, Superintendents Cromwell Henry, Lionel Moore, Adolph Adams, and Inspectors Travis Rogers and Phillip Eddy. Vaughan Henderson was also honoured. Among the Sergeants recognized were Mitchell Hobson, Reynold Myers, James Stephen, Sean John, Lyndita Powell, Calvin Amory, Ricardo Sampson, Edwards Drew, Denzil Pemberton, Shorna Francis-Edwards and Daniel Jacobs (Sgt Ret). Corporals awarded were Simeon Liburd, Matthew McGuire, Elvin Browne, Dexter Jacobs, Alecia Maloney and Winston Thompson. A posthumous award was presented to the family of Sgt. Junior Francis.
– See more at: http://sknis.info/pm-harris-praises-25-police-officers-for-long-dedicated-service/#sthash.L189w9PR.dpuf
“The Christian Workers Union (CWU) gladly takes the opportunity to salute our Educators on the occasion of Teachers’ Day 2016.
CWU is so proud of our Teachers choosing to observe their special day with the Stand Up For Belize Parade and Rally. Without any doubt, CWU got Teachers’ back on this national issue,” says CWU President Audrey Matura-Shepherd.
Matura-Shepherd was commenting on the Stand Up For Belize Parade which started from Constitution Park and after winding through principal streets of the Belize City culminated with a Rally at BTL Park. BNTU spearheaded today’s events as a means to express displeasure and to demand that the Government of Belize immediately rescinds the recently enacted SI on public safety which prohibits Belizeans from entering the Sarstoon River. “CWU supports BNTU’s Stand Up For Belize Campaign aims to educate Belizeans on the unfounded Guatemalan claim, including the debate surrounding taking the claim to the International Court of Justice. We see a dire need for such a campaign and thus will lend as much support as we can. We encouraged CWU Members to become involved and I am pleased to notice that indeed some of our Members responded to the BNTU invitation and our call, even if it meant using one of their vacation do to do so,” said Matura Shepherd.
Today’s BNTU Stand Up For Belize Events had the support of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize and its Member-Unions, including CWU.
Castries, May 12, 2016 – Dennery residents are being encouraged to attend a town hall meeting to discuss a proposed wind farm to be located near the Bordelais Correctional Facility. The meeting is planned for Wednesday, May 18, from 6:30pm at the Clendon Mason Secondary School.
Residents will hear from representatives of the St. Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC), Wind Tex Energy, and the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology who are collaborating on the project. The team, which will include representatives from the Development Control Authority, will also answer questions residents have about the project. The proposed 12 megawatt (MW) wind farm is an important component of the national thrust to use more renewable energy, to improve energy security. In April 2015 a wind measurement tower (part of Phase 1 of the project) was erected at the proposed site to collect wind speeds and other data. LUCELEC invested in the equipment to facilitate this initial exploration. Wind Tex Energy secured the lease on the land and is contributing the technology and expertise in wind farm development. This meeting with the residents of Dennery is to provide information on the project, and very importantly to ensure that residents’ inputs are factored into the decisions to be made in moving forward with this project.
Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines, May 09, 2016-The Second Meeting of the OECS Council of Ministers (Foreign Affairs) was convened in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on 8th May 2016 under the Chairmanship of that country’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Sir Louis Straker.
The Foreign Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines accepted the mantle of Chairmanship of the Council from outgoing Chairman the Hon. Alva Baptiste, Minister for External Affairs, International Trade and Civil Aviation of Saint Lucia. The outgoing Chairman pointed to the achievements of the OECS during his tenure, including the accession of Martinique to membership of the Organisation, and the leadership role played by the region in championing the cause of Small Island Developing States at the meeting of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 21) which took place in Paris in November and December of last year.
The incoming Chair expressed the hope that the Council would continue to address the business of the OECS in an efficacious manner. He urged his colleagues to: “… be committed to ensuring that the process of integration continues to be effective and economically and socially viable for our people”. He stressed the importance of adopting common positions on international issues, and exhorted his colleagues to:“continue to ensure that we do not present disparate voices when we participate in international fora”.
The Second Meeting of the Council of Ministers (Foreign Affairs) was convened against the backdrop of profound and dramatic changes taking place on the geopolitical front and offered the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of OECS Member States the opportunity to contribute to the process of designing and fashioning responses to the challenges confronting the region as a result of those changes. According to the OECS Commission’s Head of International Relations, Anthony Severin: “The Council of Ministers (Foreign Affairs) has a critical role to play in the design and fashioning of responses at the national and regional levels that will allow our countries and institutions to maintain relevance, to survive, and to thrive in the ever-changing international milieu”.
The Council considered a wide range of issues including the external representation of Member States, relations with Third States, progress towards the realization of the OECS Single Domestic Space, United Nations matters, relations with the EU post Cotonou and matters relating to hemispheric institutions such as the ACS, CELAC and the OAS.
The Council committed itself to remain engaged on these and other matters under its purview. For its part, the OECS Commission assured the Council of its full support in the furtherance of its work.
The Saint Lucia Red Cross will mark the annual observance with a grand rally in Anse La Raye.
The Saint Lucia Branch of the Red Cross will celebrate World Red Cross Red Crescent Day on May 22.
World Red Cross Red Crescent Day is observed annually on May 8, the birthday of founder Henry Dunant, however in Saint Lucia the post celebratory observance is due to the need for the Red Cross’ much needed presence at Saint Lucia’s annual Jazz festivities.
Director General of the Saint Lucia Red Cross, Terrencia Gaillard, said her organization is usually unable to participate as it is called to fulfil its mandate. Despite this, she extends her gratitude to the members of her organization for their commitment to the Red Cross’ vision.
“World Red Cross Day for a number of years has been coinciding with the last day of Jazz and Mother’s Day. As a result, the celebration for us is kind of low key, but I would like to thank all the volunteers, members, and executive of the Saint Lucia Red Cross. Without our volunteers, the Red Cross would not be what it is today.”
This year’s theme for the observance is “Red Cross Everywhere, for Everyone.” Gaillard said the theme reinforces that the Red Cross does not discriminate.
“The Red Cross is everywhere–196 countries in the world. And when we talk about everyone, we mean everyone: the man on the street, the sick and shut-in at home, and most of all our volunteers. We do not discriminate.”
The Saint Lucia Red Cross will mark the annual observance with a grand rally in Anse La Raye for members and volunteers.
Alex Eiden (centre) with the IT Coordinators from the 10 pilot schools. Mr. Eiden collaborated with the Ministry of Education to implement the Khan Academy Mathematics Initiative here on the island. (GP)
Growing interest by Barbadian students in the Khan Academy programme has been recognised and will continue to be supported both locally and internationally.
Support for the initiative was made clear this week, as investment in it came in the form of 30 computers, flown in by JetBlue and handed over to the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (METI), as gifts to three primary schools.
Alex Eiden, an Essex Fells, New Jersey, resident and student at Montclair Kimberley Academy, collaborated with the Ministry to implement the Khan Academy Mathematics Initiative here on the island. Khan Academy is a non-profit educational organisation created with the aim of providing a free, world-class education “for anyone, anywhere”.
However, the keen interest and progress by the island’s children in the online programme was assured some two months ago, when the Ministry undertook an evaluation of the Khan Academy Mathematics Initiative with teachers who are Information Technology Coordinators (ITCs) in the 10 pilot schools.
The initiative is one which uses Khan Academy’s online platform as a tool to improve knowledge and skills of Mathematics at any level of our school system. The review was led by Senior Education Officer in the Ministry, Fernando Carter; Mr. Eiden; and his father, American businessman, Frederick Eiden.
It evaluated the use of the programme by over 2,000 students in the 10 pilot schools: St. Ambrose, Charles F. Broome, St. Christopher Primary, Bayley’s Primary, People’s Cathedral, Ellerton, Cuthbert Moore Primary, Bay Primary, St. Lukes Brighton and Hillaby Turner’s Hall.
Providing an assessment of usage by students, Alex Eiden said the 10 schools had earned 20 million Energy points. Energy points, he explained, were earned as students used Khan Academy – watching videos and doing the exercises.
He further explained that some exercises afforded them additional points depending on the degree of difficulty, and how quickly the students completed the exercises. “It is an impressive number and I, for one, am very happy with this number,” he declared.
The Khan Academy Ambassador acknowledged that each school had recorded satisfactory results, with some reaching or exceeding the two-million energy point threshold by March 13, 2016. Among those singled out were St. Ambrose, Charles F. Broome, Ellerton and Bayley’s Primary.
The father and son team, however, acknowledged that there were myriad challenges at the various schools, and as such, the numbers were not designed to reflect competitiveness.
“What we are looking for is to put Barbados on the world scene, in terms of what is happening; what can happen; where can we receive complimentary funding for the Ministry of Education so that Barbados can be potentially the showcase in the Caribbean,” Frederick Eiden said.
The programme is supported by JetBlue and has generated interest from other charitable organisations. Last year, through the Eidens, JetBlue also donated 30 computers to two of the pilot schools, namely St. Ambrose and St. Lukes Brighton. The 30 presented earlier this week went to Bay Primary, Cuthbert Moore Primary and the People’s Cathedral Primary.
“We wanted to ensure complimentary funding was available so that the students could use top technology inside of the classroom,” stressed the older Eiden. He added that with the introduction of more computers and bandwidth, the Ministry’s IT specialist would be able to manage and control the available resources to improve learning.
The father and son team expressed gratitude to the Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry, Senator Harcourt Husbands, the management of Sandy Lane Resort, the team from the Ministry, as well as the associated sponsors.
Mr. Carter said the formative evaluation of the progress of Khan Academy was intended to look at the challenges, hurdles, positives and ways in which Mathematics skills could be improved upon.
Commending the efforts of teachers and their charges, the Senior Education Officer emphasised that the main purpose of introducing the Khan Academy online programme, almost a year ago, was to improve the performance of primary school students in Mathematics.
“We recognised that there were challenges in the subject of Mathematics; we recognised too that these challenges should be tackled from a variety of ways or methodologies and this is just one,” he explained.
Mr. Carter also spoke to the future of the Maths initiative. “The Ministry will play its role in terms of improving the connectivity; upgrading existing equipment and being the kind of facilitators who ensure that the Khan Academy initiative goes on to the next level. There is a role for the Ministry to also play in terms of public relations, working together with the Barbados Government Information Service, and you the ITCs and the principals.”
Lauding the Eiden team for sourcing the computers, he said the Ministry looked forward to their continued efforts at finding sponsors to support programmes for the improvement of our educational system and the efficiency of the Khan Academy initiative here.
Teachers heard that part of their role was convincing the three entities – principals, other teachers and parents – of the importance of the Maths initiative. “Convince them that it is just a tool, and as a tool, you can utilise it to suit your objectives and further the process of learning by adding value. And, of course, if you have not yet communicated to the parents about their role, you have to.
“Communicate it again and again because they play a very important role in the whole school. That parent connection is critical, especially at the primary level. Homework should not be perceived by the parent as just a pen or paper exercise,” Mr. Carter stressed.
Other thoughts from the evaluation reflected that since the introduction of the Khan Academy, which brings Silicon Valley learning into Barbadian classrooms, to students and their families, some teachers had witnessed the eradication of the fear of fractions and the beginning of a search for knowledge that extends beyond the world of Mathematics.
Madame Justice Barbara Cooke-Alleyne receiving the sponsorship cheque for the 'In the Winners' Circle' Programme from Manager, Accounts, Guardian General Insurance, Eurlinda Smith at today's opening ceremony. (C.Pitt/BGIS)
The transition from primary to secondary school was the focus of discussion, when the Criminal Justice Research and Planning Unit hosted the opening ceremony of its ninth annual 11 Plus Programme today at The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus.
Aimed at pupils who recently completed the Common Entrance Examination, the three-week programme seeks to sensitise children on how to deal with certain challenges as they make the transition from primary to secondary school.
While delivering the feature address, Magistrate Barbara Cooke-Alleyne underscored the importance of developing effective coping mechanisms to navigate the social and psychological rigours of secondary school.
She told the audience: “In 2007, I conceived the idea of a need for a programme to prevent children in secondary school from coming before the law courts. I was really concerned at that time as a sitting Magistrate in the Juvenile Court; and seeing young people coming before the court at this tender age for all types of crimes.”
Magistrate Cooke-Alleyne noted that the young persons coming before the courts were typically 14 and 15 years old, both boys and girls, often charged with assault.
“We must get into the schools from early with more programmes like these. Start from early to reach our children and we can detour from this violence and get back on a path that we can be proud of,” she emphasised.
The three-week interactive programme, being held under the theme: In the Winners Circle: Making the Right Choice, will address topics such as Bullying and Conflict Resolution; Peer Pressure; Wandering; Substance Abuse; Your Body and You; and Self Esteem.
