Black Immigrant Daily News

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Black Immigrant Daily News

Schools across Antigua and Barbuda, while set to resume in less than two weeks time, will open for teachers on Monday, August 29.

Students, on the other hand, return for the start of the 2022-2023 academic year on September 5.

Teachers have undergone workshops over summer break and their early return is in preparation for the new school year, official reports say.

The shortage of teachers has been a constant problem over the years, with students often not having an instructor for a particular subject, sometimes for an entire term. However, the Government is promising that every step is being taken to ensure that each school has an adequate number of teachers this year.

Work is also being done to ensure the school plant is ready to receive the inflow of students; this includes having an adequate number of desks and chairs; cleaning the classrooms; and ridding the compounds of overgrown grass and shrubbery.

Minister of Health Sir Molwyn Joseph, meanwhile, says that COVID-19 has been greatly reduced in its ability to spread; however, he says the wearing of masks remains optional in classrooms — but is very much encouraged.

Meanwhile, the Youth Education and Empowerment Programme (YEEP) has reportedly registered approximately 500 students ahead of its new academic year.

Administrators of the programme say that classes will likely be split between two venues, both of which are yet to be confirmed, but will be done shortly.

It was only last week that an administrator took to social media to claim that his efforts to find a home for the programme were not being supported, despite a Cabinet decision that the Ministries of Works and Social Transformation should have advanced.

YEEP students, reportedly, are primarily made up of working and unemployed adults who are now seeking to acquire CXC and CAPE subjects, and it is said to be involved in the preparation of students for university.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

United Progressive Party (UPP) Senator Damani Tabor is again advocating for a “living wage” in place of a minimum wage in Antigua and Barbuda, even as workers in the United Kingdom are agitating for decent pay increases.

Tabor says the two minimum wage increases granted under the Baldwin Spencer Administration were a demonstration that the UPP is, indeed, a “People First” political institution.

Once the Party is returned to office at the next polls, he assures affected workers that they will see a wage increase that falls in line with the high inflation rate.

As inflation increases, many manufacturers are slyly cutting down on the volume of their products, while retaining the size of the packaging. In essence, consumers are paying more money for less content, resulting in what is now termed “shrink-flation.”

Meanwhile, Tabor says that even the conditions under which many persons are forced to work are deplorable, and a UPP

Administration will urgently address this.

Meanwhile, Senator Tabor notes the relocation of several government departments, including the Central Board of Health, the St. John’s and All Saints Magistrates Courts, and a number of police stations – all due to mouldy premises, leaks and other structural issues.

The Government should have made these a priority, he says, and he is calling for upgrades to these departments, as well as to the hospital and community clinics.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

NewsAmericasNow.com

Black Immigrant Daily News

“Swift action by firefighters resulted in minimal damage to the entire building and a quick extinction of the fire… An apartment on the ground floor’s north-eastern section, where the fire originated, was severely damaged as a result of the fire, along with its contents,”the Fire Service said.

Two jets working from light pump #82 using an open water source were used to extinguish the fire.

The Guyana Fire Service continues to advise citizens to exercise caution and to follow safety measures to avoid fires in the home.

Additionally, children should be educated on the dangers of fire starters (matches, lighters) and warned about their use. Do not leave children unattended or at home without adult supervision, the GFS cautioned.

“Keep children away from the cooking area and ensure matches and lighters are out of reach of children at all times. Equip your homes with fire prevention and firefighting devices such as smoke detectors and fire extinguishers,” it added.

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