A preliminary audit conducted by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information is showing a reduction in the number of critical incidents in schools involving the use of weapons.
The audit, undertaken at the end of the 2014/15 academic year, also indicates an increase in the number of weapons confiscated by Deans of Discipline in partnership with School Resource Officers (SROs).
Director of Safety and Security in Schools, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Coleridge Minto, attributes the developments to the use of metal detectors in schools.
Approximately 135 metal detectors were issued to over 130 secondary institutions in 2015, leading to the confiscation of firearms and ammunition, among other things.
ASP Minto says that scissors continue to be the most prevalent item recovered, and underscores the need for school administrators to secure these devices after they are used in classes.
He informs that the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has been providing support in confiscating weapons taken from students, particularly firearms and ammunition, and carrying out investigations.
He tells JIS News that parents and school administrators have welcomed the use of the metal detectors as they serve as a deterrent to students carrying weapons to school, thereby improving safety and security.
“It creates awareness in the minds of the students that they may be subject to searches,” he says.
“One principal told me that since the use of the metal detectors commenced, the frequency with which weapons have been coming into the school is almost at zero. It speaks to the tremendous success of the initiative,” he informs.
He points out that where the devices malfunction, the schools immediately contact the Ministry to have these either repaired or replaced because they understand their value and use.
ASP Minto tells JIS News that parents have been supportive of the use of the devices.
“We have been speaking at Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meetings and encouraging parents to become more involved in helping the schools by searching the bag of their child to ensure that the youngster is not leaving home with any weapons,” he notes.
ASP Minto tells JIS News that while the use of the metal detectors has created a more controlled environment resulting in fewer incidents at schools, there has been a notable increase in off campus conflicts.
He says these incidents often result from disagreements at school spilling over into the streets, as well as differences arising at the community level.
He informs that the Ministry has been liaising with the schools and parents “to see how best we can address those issues.”
ASP Minto is optimistic of even further reductions in school violence at the end of the current academic year.
Use of Metal Detectors in Schools Reaping Results
Saint Lucia signs on to IHR
The country aims to be fully compliant with the provision of the IHR by June.
Saint Lucia and the rest of the world have signed on to the International Health Regulations. Saint Lucia aims to be fully compliant with the provision of the IHR by June.
The International Health Regulations (IHR) is an international legal instrument that is binding on 196 countries across the globe, including all member states of the World Health Organization (WHO). Its aim is to help the international community prevent and respond to acute public health risks that have the potential to cross borders and threaten people worldwide.
Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Merlene Fredericks said: “Just by looking at the diseases that we’ve had to battle with recently, in terms of the vector borne diseases, the strange influenzas, new and re-emerging diseases, it’s very important that countries show that they have the capacity to address those threats without hindering travel and trade and at the same time ensure that the public and visitors are protected.”
Dr. Fredericks was in attendance at a stakeholder consultation on the Draft Quarantine Bill which is expected to replace and completely overhaul the current Quarantine Act of 1954.
Also in attendance at the consultation were representatives from the airline and shipping industries, the Saint Lucia Air and Seaport Authority (SLASPA), the National Emergency Management Office (NEMO), Ministry of Health officials and other government agencies.
Parker Ragnanan, International Health Regulations Coordinator for Saint Lucia said the current bill has a number of weaknesses which much be strengthened.
“Under the old Quarantine Act, we were restricted to only six infectious diseases now we are looking at having regulations for all infectious diseases as well as having regulations for other public health hazards which may not necessarily be an infectious disease. So it can be other events, disasters, chemical events, radiation, nuclear events. It’s broader than what we initially had. Also it gives permission for the competent authority to quarantine people who are probably coming into the country or nationals who may be sick with specific diseases. This new act would give the authority for being able to quarantine and also for the minister to be able to identify quarantine facilities.”
A national committee headed by the cabinet secretary is overseeing Saint Lucia’s readiness for the International Health Regulations. The Quarantine and Public Health Act are the two key pieces of legislation being reviewed by a legal adviser and stakeholders at the consultation with the aim to make these legal instruments IHR compliant by the end of May.
The Chief Medical Officer said: “In addition to the legislative requirements we also have the port health requirements and we do have at our main ports officers who can monitor and screen passengers if needs be. The epidemiological component is also a key component and we have strengthened our surveillance. Ebola gave us a further opportunity to strengthen our surveillance to ensure that we are able to pick up threats in a timely way and address them. It’s all encompassing, there are infection control components, there are components which refer to the hospitals and the ability of the hospitals to protect patients from getting infected in the hospital setting and we believe that Saint Lucia should be well on its way to achieving compliance by June of this year.”
Singapore hosts port management workshop
OECS port officials received training in port management, port planning, port safety and efficiency, emergency preparedness, best port practices and terminal management techniques.
A recent workshop on Port Management and Operations in the OECS brought together port managers and supervisors from all OECS member states including Martinique, its newest member.
The workshop was facilitated through the OECS-Singapore Joint Cooperation Program and was conducted by the Singapore consultancy firm ST Education and Training Maritime Ltd, global leaders in maritime education and training services.
Training was provided in the areas of port management, port planning, port safety and efficiency, emergency preparedness, best port practices and terminal management techniques. The training was conducted through a series of lectures, discussions, video presentations and case studies of Singapore’s ports and terminals.
Participants also engaged in group activities for fostering cooperation and teamwork. Upon completion, participants received training certificates from STET as well as certificates of participation from the OECS-Singapore Joint Cooperation Program.
Darwin Telemaque, chairman of the recently formed OECS Port Management Committee, lauded the workshop’s success.
The OECS Commission and the government of Singapore has already held discussions with regard to hosting annual regional training sessions, and providing opportunities for OECS officials to participate in training activities in Singapore.
Veterinary Division to assist livestock owners
Chief Vetinary Officer said many livestock owners are unaware of the division’s existence and the level of aid that it has to offer.
The Veterinary and Livestock Services Division of the Ministry of Agriculture has recently undertaken a drive to inform livestock owners of the services that the division provides.
To this aim, Auria King-Cenac, Chief Veterinary Officer, said the intention of the division is to work alongside all livestock producers to meet the desired objective of increasing the production of quality livestock within Saint Lucia.
“We have different commodity systems, and because of our limited resources we have persons geared at working with different commodities. We have the small ruminants—sheep and goats and cattle; we have apiculture—bees and honey, we have the veterinary public health and quarantine unit, the swine production unit, and we also have the poultry production unit.”
Mrs. Cenac said that many are still unaware of the divisions existence and the level of aid that it has to offer.
“The division exists, and we can assist with any problems that livestock owners may encounter. Sometimes an owner may have an issue with an animal and they would go to the store and purchase a product to administer to the animal not knowing what the problem is.
“But we have a complement of staff who is willing to assist. All that is necessary is to give us a call if you have any situation. If you are looking to go into production or if you are expanding your production you can give us a call as well, and we will give you the required advice.”
The Veterinary and Livestock Division at the Ministry of Agriculture can be contacted at 758.468.5621.
PM and Minister of State release statement on Child Abuse cases in T&T
May 10, 2016: The Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of State extend their heartfelt regrets to the families and loved ones of the young victims of child abuse.
We are overwhelmed and saddened by the staggering increases in reports of child abuse cases as chronicled by the Children’s Authority. As a nation we understand that our children are one of the most vulnerable groups in society, who are in dire need of our protection and support. This understanding has therefore been the backbone and foundation for all that we do, as we exhaust all our resources to ensure the protection of our children.
The Office of the Prime Minister (Gender and Child Affairs) is committed to reducing the incidences of violence against children, by enforcing policy and legislation, while enhancing the services which care for and protect children. In partnership with UNICEF, we are still engaged in the “Break the Silence” campaign, which aims at increasing the reporting of child abuse cases. The current development of the National Children’s Registry will ensure that children access the full range of educational, protective and health services they need, according to their particular developmental stage. Additionally, headway is being made to develop the National Child Policy which includes the following sub-policies:
(i) The Child Protection Policy and National Strategic Framework for Child Protection;
(ii) The Children in Alternative Care Policy;
(iii) The Nursery Policy;
(iv) Early Childhood Development Policy;
(v) Framework for the Care and Protection of Children with Disabilities; and
(vi) Vacation Camp Manual and Guidelines.
These areas, when enforced, will provide optimum care & protection for children, including access to safer and more child friendly spaces and standardize quality care and protection at all institutions providing children services.
We once again echo our clear and firm stance that child abuse and neglect are not acceptable. Silence only results in the festering of harmful thoughts and practices that negatively affect our children. We must talk about it. We must report it. We must break the silence. If you know or are suspicious of any incidents of child abuse or neglect, contact the Children’s Authority at 996, or ChildLine at 131.
Electricity Supply Bill 2015 to be a landmark move for Grenada
ST. GEORGE’S, GRENADA, May 10, 2016 – GIS: A senior government minister says tomorrow, Wednesday, marks a red letter day for electricity distribution in the country.
Nickolas Steele made his comments as national interest shifts to an important sitting of Parliament, where the Electricity Supply Bill 2015 highlights eight bills to be tabled in the House of Representatives.
The Bill, in effect, repeals and replaces the 1994 Electricity Supply Act and opens the sector to investments in renewable energy projects.
It is also expected to result in lower electricity prices for consumers, among other benefits.
“I think tomorrow is a day that will go down in history. Tomorrow is a day that will change our economic environment, for all Grenadians, especially for our most vulnerable persons, in terms of having electricity regulated, in terms of having electricity rates decrease, as we move forward,” Minister Steele said.
According to the minister, who was addressing Tuesday’s Post Cabinet Briefing, by passing this bill Grenada will fall in line with OECS regulations that will standardize the supply of energy in all member states.
He believes the bill’s passing will be a landmark move that will make a significant economic difference in the lives of Grenadians.
“It’s a historical day, in terms of undoing a wrong that was done decades ago with the sale of GRENLEC and removal of a regulatory authority. Both of those occurrences are what have caused the suffering of Grenadian people for decades, and that is being undone tomorrow,” the government minister said.
The other bills to be tabled in Wednesday’s sitting include; the Customs Amendment Bill 2016, Immigration Amendment Bill 2016, the Physical Planning and Development Bill 2016, the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission Bill 2016, the Gaming Bill 2016, the National Lotteries Authority Amendment Bill 2016 and the Possessory Titles Bill 2016.
CARICOM Commission To Be Launched
A Commission charged with creating a Human Resource Development (HRD) Strategy for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) will be launched this Thursday, May 12, at the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Wildey, St. Michael, beginning at 5:00 p.m.
CARICOM Heads of Government took the decision to establish the Commission at their Twenty-fifth Intersessional Meeting in 2014.
It comprises 17 specialists and other stakeholders in Education and Human Resource Development.
Its work is supported by the CARICOM Secretariat, as coordinator, and the CDB, which is financing the establishment of a gender-responsive and socially-inclusive CARICOM strategy for harmonised education reform.
The Regional Education and Human Resource Development 2030 Strategy and Action Plan (the Regional HRD Strategy), which the Commission will shape, is intended to form the basis for converged action by Member States.
It is expected that the Commission will also develop policy recommendations for education reform in CARICOM Member States. The Commission will also engage short-term expertise to collect and analyse data to inform the development of the strategy.
It will also host two four-day Regional Education Sector Monitoring and Evaluation Meetings to promote ownership for, and build capacity in, monitoring and evaluation at the national level.
Following the development of the strategy and action plan, the Commission will be expected to operationalise the structure for coordinating, monitoring and reporting.
Speakers at Thursday’s launch will include Assistant Secretary-General at the CARICOM Secretariat, Dr. Douglas Slater; a representative from the Caribbean Development Bank; a member of the HRD Commission; and one of the two CARICOM Youth Ambassadors from Barbados.
There will also be a Question-and-Answer session for the media to engage the Commission on various aspects of its mandate.
Black Belly Block Awarded To Repsol S.A.
Prime Minister Freundel Stuart says the award of the Black Belly Offshore Block to Repsol S.A., represents “another bold step” in Barbados’ journey towards realising its offshore petroleum potential.
Speaking at a ceremony at Ilaro Court yesterday to formally present the award to the company based in Madrid, Spain, Mr. Stuart said the opportunity to partner with Repsol was both encouraging and timely, considering the severe and wide-reaching constraints that had been placed on the oil and gas industry due to prevailing low oil prices.
“This blossoming partnership will undoubtedly send a clear message to the industry that Barbados remains committed to the development of its offshore petroleum sector,” he said.
Barbados launched its offshore petroleum programme in 2007 in an effort to license prospective areas of the island’s offshore petroleum acreage. The Black Belly Sheep Block which Repsol will be exploring is located off the island’s west coast.
The Prime Minister said that the discovery and successful exploitation of commercial petroleum resources offshore Barbados would be a significant achievement.
He added: “The ongoing effort to develop the offshore sector is, however, not simply about generating revenue or diversifying the company, but is also an opportunity to make a lasting contribution towards the social, professional and educational development of the Barbadian people.”
Mr. Stuart told the representatives of Repsol S.A. that the Government and people of Barbados would expect no less than the highest commitment to the preservation and protection of Barbados’ coastal and marine environment; to human resource development in the sector; as well as to the development of the communities in which Repsol would operate.
He said that the company’s “excellent track record” in relation to exploration, development and production of oil and gas resources, as well as its knowledge and experience in the region, made it an ideal partner to assist Barbados in maximising its offshore petroleum potential.
Award winning documentary film Vanishing Sail premieres at historic Fort George, Grenada
On Saturday 14th May at 6:30pm the independent documentary film Vanishing Sail launches its Grenada Premiere at Fort George overlooking the historic harbor of St. Georges.
This special heritage event opens a series of screenings culminating in a cinema run starting Tuesday 17th May at Excel Plaza, Movie Palace.
Vanishing Sail has been selected by 14 film festivals in 11 countries winning 5 awards – described by prominent film industry news service INDIEWIRE as “An insightful and poignant documentary that is part social history and part Herzogian portrait of resilience and determination in a far-flung locale.”
On the island of Carriacou, in the Eastern Caribbean, Alwyn Enoe is one of the last wooden boatbuilders practicing a trade passed down the generations from the original Scottish settlers that arrived more than two centuries ago.
He is approaching his 70s and with no more orders coming in, he decides to build one last sailing sloop with the hope that his sons will continue the trade.
The film follows Alwyn’s progress and despair over 3 years – from hauling his trees out of the forest to a final traditional launching ceremony on the bayside. Stories of trading by sail and smuggling contraband from the freeport of St. Barthelemy weave through the film like the currents of the Grenadines, told by some of the last old Caribbean sea farers.
With all the family’s hope & resources now in the wooden vessel, Alwyn decides to try and complete her in time to race in the Antigua Classics – 5 weeks & 300 miles away – here traditional West Indian and metropolitan elements fuse to create the final resolution of the film…
The film is part of a transmedia project representing fifteen years of research that includes a 2 volume photo essay, a unique archive of interviews with some of the greatest names in West Indies sailing, the building of five 42 ft traditional sailing vessels in Carriacou and an annual regatta on the island of St. Barthelemy sponsored by UNESCO. Our wider goals are to inspire Caribbean education programs, coastal community and maritime heritage projects around the world.
“To know where you’re going, you should know where you come from…” Richard McQuilkin, Windward, Carriacou
Schedule:
Saturday 14th May 6:30pm – Fort George, Admission FREE
Monday 16th May 6:30pm – Blue Growth Conference, by Invitation only event
17,18,19th May 6:30pm – Excel Plaza, Movie Palace, tickets from Box Office $25EC
Please visit our website and social media for news & updates.
vanishingsail.com
facebook.com/vanishingsail
instagram.com/vanishingsail
twitter.com/vanishingsail
http://bit.ly/VanishingSail-Presskit
Vanishing Sail awards:
Directorial Discovery Award – Rhode Island International Film Festival
Audience Choice Award – Rhode Island International Film Festival
Caribbean Spirit Award – Best Overall Feature Film, Caribbean Tales International Film Festival
People’s Choice Award – Best Feature Documentary, Trinidad & Tobago Film Festival
Best Film – Maritime Film, Jachtfilm Warsaw
Health Minister Lauds Contribution Of Nurses
Health Minister John Boyce has commended the Barbados Nurses’ Association for its commitment to providing quality health care in Barbados.
Speaking at a church service to mark the start of Nurses Week last Sunday, Mr. Boyce maintained: “As the frontline staff in our health institutions, the contributions of nurses cannot be overstated. Nurses are at the centre of healthcare delivery.”
He noted that the theme for Nurses Week: Nurses a Force for Change: Improving Health Systems, was very appropriate, since it highlighted the need to consider sustainability in the quest to maintain universal health coverage.
He stressed the importance of every citizen having access to quality and affordable health care, noting that individuals could not achieve their full potential and Barbados would not achieve the level of productivity which was necessary, if citizens were unhealthy.
“The future of nursing depends heavily on the decisions and leadership which are exhibited today. So, I urge you to continue your participation and support for the efforts of the Government of Barbados to achieve better health care for all by 2020,” Mr. Boyce told the Association’s members.
