Home Blog Page 58

Education Minister visit Schools

Education Minister-

Education Minister and Senior officers visit schools across the country – Assures all is being done to resolve issues.

The Minister of Education, Hon. Nicolette Henry along with senior officers within the Ministry, including the Chief Education Officer, Marcel Hutson visited a number of schools across Guyana in an effort to ensure that education delivery continues.
The officers were scattered across the 11 education districts while Minister Henry visited schools within the Region Six, East Berbice Corentyne area. The schools visited by the Education Minister were Edinburgh Primary School, Overwinning Primary School, Tutorial Secondary School, New Amsterdam Multilateral School, Savannah Park Nursery School, Berbice Educational Institute, Vryman’s Erven Secondary School, Berbice High School, Canje Secondary School, J.C Chandisingh Secondary School, Port Mourant Secondary School, Corentyne Comprehensive High School, Manchester Secondary School and Skeldon Line Path Secondary.
During her interface with both teachers and students, Minister Henry thanked the teachers for reporting for duty at their respective schools to serve the nation’s children. She wished the students all the best for their new school year.
Recognising that it is a challenging time for the public education sector, Minister Henry assured parents, students and teachers that they will get the support that is needed so that all issues can be resolved. “We want to ensure that we do all that is possible in the best interest for both students and teachers. We will do everything that we possibly can to ensure that there is continuity in the education system.”
However, despite the challenges, Minister Henry posited that out of challenges comes opportunities. She encouraged the students to make the 2018-2019 school year a rewarding one.
Some teachers have expressed their solidarity to Minister Henry, stating that they decided against striking since they believe that staying in the classroom is best for the children. Added to that parents in Regions five and six said while they understand that teachers are deserving of better salaries, the Guyana Teachers Union proposal is ‘unreasonable’.
Meanwhile, the Chief Education Officer, Marcel Hutson visited the Christianburg-Wismar Secondary School, McKenzie High School, Linden Foundation Secondary and One Mile Primary School in Region 10.
The Assistant Chief Education Officer (Technical) Patrick Chinedu visited Hope Secondary School, Golden Grove Primary School and Golden Grove Secondary School. In Region Five, Assistant Chief Education Officer (Primary), Owen Pollard visited the Bush Lot Secondary School, Rosignol Secondary and Bygeval Secondary School.
June-Ann Gonsalves, Assistant Chief Education Officer (Secondary) visited the Soesdyke Secondary School and Diamond Secondary School in Region Four. Schools in Georgetown were visited by Assistant Chief Education Officer (Nursery), Samantha Williams, Superintendent of Examinations, Sauda Kadir, Director of NCERD, Jennifer Cumberbatch, Permanent Secretary, Adele Clarke and Technical Facilitator, Francesca Vieira.
The schools visited in Georgetown were Smith Memorial Primary School, Smyth Street Nursery School, Christ Church Secondary, St. Margaret’s Primary School, Winfer Gardens Primary School, Rama Krishna Primary, Queen’s College, St. Stanislaus College and Tutorial High Secondary.

Education Minister Satisfied With Start of New School Year

Education Minister Satisfied With Start of New School Year.

Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, has expressed satisfaction with the start of the 2018/2019 academic year.
In an interview with JIS News on Monday (September 3), after visiting three schools in the Corporate Area – Wolmer’s Boys,’ Excelsior Primary and Infant, and Jessie Ripoll Primary – Minister Reid said that operations were off to a smooth start.
“I am very satisfied with what I’ve seen. I think full commendation should be given to the team [from the Ministry] and school administrators across the island,” he said.
Minister Reid informed that officials from the Ministry in the various regions across the island worked with school administrators to ensure that needs were satisfied and that the institutions had the necessary equipment and tools they required to operate effectively.
“For back-to-school, we actually started working from January on textbooks, repairs and furniture… . I’m very happy to see the schools are all generally ready,” he noted.
Meanwhile, during his visit to the schools, Minister Reid observed operations, including classroom lessons; liaised with the principals, teachers and students; and handed over copies of the National Standards Curriculum (NSC).
The curriculum places focus on project-based and problem-solving learning, with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and arts integrated at all levels.
At Wolmer’s Boys, he encouraged the students to “aim for the highest” and be respectful to their teachers and parents.
“I want to thank the hard-working teachers, because a lot of the outstanding successes that we can celebrate about Wolmer’s is because of the real hard, dedicated and outstanding work of the school’s teachers,” he said.
Minister Reid also spoke with grade-six students at Jessie Ripoll and Excelsior Primary, who will be among the cohort sitting the first Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examination next year, and encouraged them not to be fearful of the inaugural series of tests that they will undertake.
“[PEP] is really for us to assess the knowledge and competencies of our students. We need to have a valid assessment, a true reflection of our students’ capacity and ability, and we can build on their strengths and their weaknesses,” he pointed out.

CARICOM meetings hosted in Barbados

CARICOM

Barbados will host two CARICOM meetings this week. They are the Sixth Special Meeting of the Council of Ministers of Finance and Planning (COFAP), and the Ninth Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee on the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).
The COFAP meeting will be held tomorrow, Tuesday, September 4, beginning at 9:00 a.m., and will be chaired by Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda, while Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley will chair the CSME meeting on Wednesday, September 5. She will deliver the feature address at 8:30 a.m. in her capacity as Prime Minister with lead responsibility for the CSME.
Both CARICOM meetings will be closed-door sessions and will take place at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre (LESC).
Prior to adopting the agenda and discussing some procedural matters during the CSME Meeting, CARICOM leaders will focus their attention on Stakeholders Perspectives and Recommendations for an Effective CSME, including objectives and priorities; Free Movement of Persons; the Role of the Private Sector and Labour; as well as Public Awareness/Education.
They will also seek to address some Macro-Economic Support Measures, namely a Review of the Establishment of the Enabling Support Measures for a Competitive CSME, and some Priority Elements; Specific Key Considerations for CSME Effectiveness; Consultation Mechanisms; Establishment of a Single Jurisdiction and Single Registration for Companies; and the Definition of a CARICOM National.
The Heads of Government will also address the issue of Non-Compliance Regarding Agreed Measures Intended to Support Member States; an Enforcement/Dispute Settlement Mechanism; and Effective Operationalisation of the Mechanisms Enshrined in the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas and Possibilities for Sanctions.

Supporting Education in Developing Communities – OECS

Supporting Education in Developing Communities.

In preparation for the new school year, a delegation from the OECS Commission visited the Des Barras Combined School in Babonneau, Saint Lucia to deliver school supplies and backpacks donated through staff contributions.

The Des Barras School, the Organisation’s adopted school, was selected because of its remote location and the recommendations from staff to support this community.Mrs. Josette Edward-Charlemagne, Programme Officer in the Environmental Sustainability Cluster, and Ms. Sally-Ann Alfred, Paralegal Officer in the Legal Unit, have been working with staff to revive the relationship with the school which was established approximately ten years ago.

“It has been some time since we made a contribution to the school and we thought the start of the new school year was the perfect opportunity to get the staff at the Commission involved in this community activity.”
“Through our backpack drive, we were able to raise funds to provide new backpacks filled with school supplies to families that need it most.”
“We understand that through this small donation, and with the right tools, we are helping the students to succeed in school. This support also takes some burden off of the parents as they have one less thing to worry about,” Mrs. Edward-Charlemagne said.

Principal of the Des Barras Combined School, Mr. Ezra Joseph, thanked the staff of the OECS Commission for the welcomed gesture at the start of the new school year.

“We are extremely grateful that the staff of the OECS decided to visit the Des Barras Primary School, to provide some of our students with such a lovely token of friendship.”
“We know that not all of our parents are able to provide our students with the necessities and so we are extremely grateful to the OECS and its staff.”
“Such initiatives don’t come all the time and so, when it does happen there is an immense feeling of gratitude on the part of the school, the parents and the students,” Mr. Joseph said.

The Education Development Management Unit (EDMU)

Traffic Police deployed in the west

Traffic Police

The police will increase their presence in major towns in western Jamaica, in an effort to deal with the increased traffic that is anticipated when the new school year begins on Monday, September 3.
Speaking with JIS News, Head of Area One, which covers Trelawny, St. James, Hanover and Westmoreland, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Donovan Graham, said that beginning September 3, administrative functions will be scaled back in the mornings to facilitate the deployment of additional police officers to major towns to man busy intersections.
“People are anticipating increased traffic, so they become very anxious and in trying to achieve going towards their destination, you find them blocking up the intersection and [some] persons driving without due care,” ACP Graham said.
He is appealing to motorists to refrain from disobeying the Road Traffic Act and to obey the instructions of police personnel.
“The police will be out there to guide the process and to ensure that we have a very smooth start to the school year,” ACP Graham said.
He is warning operators of public passenger vehicles not to overcrowd buses, and to transport students safely to and from their destinations.
In the meantime, ACP Graham said special attention will be paid to bus parks, and students will be properly monitored to ensure their safety and security throughout the academic year.
“Our community safety and security members will be out in full force. What we will be doing is paying attention to the bus stops; we will also be paying attention to students who are going back to school,” he noted.

Anti-Money Laundering & Combating Terrorism Financing Commission

The public is informed that the Anti-Money Laundering & Combating Terrorism Financing Commission and the Financial Intelligence Unit will be holding a forum for all Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs), on the new amendments to the Regulated Entities (Amendment) Act No. 7 of 2018.
the forum will be held on Tuesday 25th September, 2018, commencing at 5:00 pm at the National Stadium VIP Lounge.
All NPOs are invited to send two representatives to the forum and to contact the office of the Anti-Money Laundering Commission at 435-2962/2963 of the Financial Intelligence Unit at 435-2372/2374 or by email to supauthoritysec@gmail.com or gdafiu@spiceisle.com for further details on registration.

Trinidad Independence Anniversary – 2018

CARICOM Secretary-General congratulates Trinidad and Tobago on independence anniversary.

CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, has extended congratulations to the government and people of Trinidad and Tobago on the occasion of the 56th independence anniversary of the country. The anniversary will be observed on 31 August.
In a message to Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. the Hon. Keith Rowley, Amb. LaRocque paid tribute to the creativity and dynamism of the people of Trinidad and Tobago.
He also recognised the significant contributions that Trinidad and Tobago – a founding member of the Caribbean Community – continued to make to Caribbean integration.
Please read the Secretary-General’s congratulatory message below:
“Honourable Prime Minister:
On behalf of the Caribbean Community, I offer sincere congratulations to the Government and People of Trinidad and Tobago on the occasion of their 56th Anniversary of Independence on 31 August 2018.
Trinidad and Tobago’s economic progress and achievements in a wide diversity of areas are testimony to the innate creativity and dynamism of its people.
Additionally, Trinidad and Tobago, as a founding member of the Community and lead Member State on regional security and energy issues, continues to make significant contributions to Caribbean integration and to the promotion and attainment of citizen and energy security.
Honourable Prime Minister, the Caribbean Community thanks Trinidad and Tobago for its continued support and joins the country on this day of celebration with best wishes for the nation’s continued growth and prosperity.”

 

Press Briefing on CARICOM Results Based Management System

CARICOM
Media briefing on the CARICOM Results Based Management System, Thursday 30th, at the Office of the Prime Minister from 11:00 AM. 
 
As media professionals you are also invited to attend and participate in Friday’s sensitization seminar which will provide important information on this new results based approach of CARICOM. 

Styrofoam Importation Ban

Styrofoam Ban

Styrofoam Importation Ban to come into effect on September 1st, 2018.

September 1st, 2018 is the date on which the Grenada Government will institute its ban on the importation of Styrofoam.
The ban on importation is the first in a phased approach to the eradication of Styrofoam and reduction of single-use plastics, in keeping with the Non-Biodegradable Waste Control Act which was passed in both Houses of Parliament this year.
The second phase will be a ban on the sale of Styrofoam in the tri-island state, effective March 1st, 2019 and by April 1st, 2019, to prohibit the sale and offer for sale of food in or with these products. Ultimately, there should be “ZERO STYROFOAM” across Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.
Minister for Climate Resilience and the Environment, Senator Simon Stiell made the pronouncements during Government’s weekly Post Cabinet Media Briefing on Tuesday, August 28.
He noted that the ban is not being instituted arbitrarily, but in consultation with importers and other stakeholders.
Senator Stiell said, “Over the period starting from September, the importation ban will prohibit more Styrofoam from being imported into the country; we have been discussing with importers what product they have coming into the country, what they have on order and what they have in inventory.”
The Environment Minister said it is encouraging to note that “many restaurants and many stores have already transitioned to alternative products, and the stated timelines are agreed upon by both importers and Government.”
He further stated that Government is committed to working together with stakeholders to ensure that the transition and economic impact of the ban on Styrofoam and specified single-use plastics are as seamless as possible.
Minister Stiell describes the Non-Biodegradable Waste Control Act as “progressive legislation” which seeks to regulate the use of non-biodegradable products, with a view to reducing the negative environmental impacts and improving the health of Grenadians.
The legislation also places a ban on single use handled shopping bags; the importation ban on these bags will come into effect on February 1st, 2019 and by February 1st, 2020, no more of those bags should be available in Grenada.
The ban on other single-use plastics, such as cutlery, plates and cups, is also due to come into force on February 1st, 2019 but there is need for further consultation with stakeholders before the order for this ban is signed, allowing the law to go into effect.

SIAL Innovation Awards 2018

Caribbean companies being selected as finalist in the SIAL Innovation Awards 2018 for their product innovation.

Caribbean Food Innovations with Truly Tumeric and Caribbean Cure Teas Recogised at SIAL, Paris.
Two Caribbean companies have been selected as finalist in the SIAL Innovation Awards 2018 for their product innovation.  They are Caribbean Cure Ltd of Trinidad and Tobago and Naledo Belize Ltd.
Naledo Belize LtdSIAL is regarded as the world’s largest food innovation exhibition and hosts the SIAL Innovation Awards each year to recognise those who help to shape what we eat both today and tomorrow.  Taking place in Paris from October 21-25, 2018, the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) in collaboration with the European Union are supporting twelve food and beverage producers to participate at SIAL under the Caribbean Kitchen banner.
Of the twelve companies Caribbean Cure and Naledo’s participation has already started draw attention given their shortlisting for a SIAL Innovation Award for their dynamic and creative product offerings.  
Naledo Belize Ltd are one of the world’s first manufacturers of fresh turmeric paste.  Developed by CEO Umeeda Switlo, Naledo use a recipe based on her own traditional Indian cooking to create Truly Tumeric.  Tumeric is a healthy root often found in supermarkets and health stores in a powered or capsule form to be taken as supplements however, Naledo Belize Ltd have transformed it to create a deliciously healthy wildcrafted whole root turmeric paste making it a niche product within the global market.  
“We are very excited to be a finalist in the SIAL 2018 product innovation award for Truly Turmeric. Naledo is the first company in the world to manufacture a fresh turmeric paste and our CEO Umeeda Switlo came up with this recipe based on her traditional Indian cooking. This nomination means that our company has been recognized for the innovative product we produce and our social enterprise model. We hope that it opens trade doors to the EU and beyond” declared Nareena Switlo, COO at Naledo.
Naledo is a social enterprise based in Toledo, Belize and focuses on youth entrepreneurship, sustainable production, regenerative agriculture, and community empowerment. With every jar sold customers know that they are directly impacting our network of small-scale growers in Belize
Keeping with tradition Caribbean Cure Ltd produce a line of loose leaf natural healing teas that utilise indigenous plants found within the Caribbean.  Their handcrafted teas which utilise premium organic ingredients are crafted through the preservation of nutrients found within the roots, herbs and flowers of plants that have been used for generations within the Caribbean to heal and treat ailments.
“When we began hand- crafting our blends, we had one simple mission – to share our passion and love for the age-old traditions and healing qualities of Caribbean herbs. We visited farmers, herbalists and tea lovers from across the region to find out what makes the perfect cup of natural tea. We were determined to create much more than tea with health benefits. We are excited to share the Caribbean tea experience at Sial Paris and will continue to share our passion with the world on this global platform” commented Sophia Stone, Founder and Managing Director at Caribbean Cure Ltd.
“We are thrilled that two of the companies that will be attending as part of the Caribbean Kitchen pavilion have been recognised for a SIAL Innovation Award and we hope that they receive a prize.  This doesn’t only bode well for Caribbean Cure and Naledo but also for the region as a whole. We have some fantastic food innovations across CARIFORUM and we need to gain greater visibility for them” expressed Chris McNair, Manager – Competitiveness and Export Promotion, Caribbean Export.
The participation of CARIFORUM companies at international trade shows is a key intervention of Caribbean Export to support the region’s exporters to increase their market penetration namely in Europe.  
“It’s important for Caribbean companies to be present at international events.  We have to leverage the support from the European Union via the 11th EDF to ensure the innovation, great products coming out of the region are seen internationally.  At the end of the day there’s no point in having great products if no one knows about them” McNair went on to comment.

1...575859...269Page 58 of 269
Audio Theme