Black Immigrant Daily News

Beginning this month, wards and inmates of the South Camp Juvenile Remand and Correctional Centre are to begin a course in coding and robotics.

This is to be facilitated by the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), in collaboration with local education firm, STEAMHouse Network.

Deputy Commissioner, Rehabilitation and Probation Aftercare Services, DCS, Dr Marc Thomas, made the disclosure at the handover ceremony for ICT devices donated to the institution by e-Learning Jamaica (e-LJam) on Tuesday (October 4) at the centre’s South Camp Road location in Kingston.

Thomas said the institution will be placing greater focus on introducing science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) subjects into the academic programmes at the institution.

“We have answered the prime minister’s call to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics by introducing right here at South Camp, this month, a course in coding and robotics,” he said.

Thomas argued that the introduction of these disciplines will better equip the young persons for jobs of the future.

Currently, the DCS provides a wide variety of academic programmes. These include remedial reading, mathematics, social studies, art and craft, music and English.

At the CSEC level, there are English, mathematics, history, accounts, social studies, principles of business, principles of accounts, office administration, electronic document preparation, human and social biology, and geography.

“Over the past couple of years, we have celebrated passes between 62 and 69 per cent. At this point, 100 per cent of our juveniles are engaged in academic and vocational studies, primarily because it is mandatory, and hundreds of adults join voluntarily in an academic or vocational class or two,” he informed.

In addition, several inmates within the DCS’ facilities are pursuing tertiary studies in Associate Degree programmes through the University College of the Caribbean (UCC).

Other aspects of personal well-being facilitated within the DCS’ programmes include life skills, parenting skills, financial planning, conflict resolution, sports, spiritual activities, academic training, vocational training, mentorship, and therapy.

This strategic rehabilitation programme is designed to reduce recidivism and prepare inmates to be reintegrated as productive, contributing members of the society.

“This strategy is employed across 11 correctional facilities where we can potentially engage thousands of inmates,” said Thomas.

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PUBLIC WARNED TO BE AWARE OF ONLINE FRAUDSTERS

The police are appealing to the public to exercise caution and be on the alert for criminal elements who are randomly targeting individuals and businesses through online sources to defraud them of cash and other valuable items.

Currently, investigations are ongoing into reports, where members of the public are reporting they were contacted via phone by unknown persons purporting to be certain notable individuals, and requesting credit or (Top-up) to their mobile phones.

The police are also aware of reports, where monies were solicited from certain business places for medical purposes through the same sources.

The public is asked to carry out proper background checks before volunteering or providing financial assistance to unknown sources.

The police are further advising the general public to report all suspicious activities to any police station without delay.

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Antigua and Barbuda has recorded a record-breaking 3rd quarter in visitor arrivals. Recent statistics reveal that a total of sixty thousand, two hundred and sixty (60,260) persons arrived on island during the period July to September 2022.

This is an improvement of 9.2% over the same period in 2019.

Further to this development, September 2022 is also one for the record books as well, with the highest number of visitors recorded since 2006.

Minister of Tourism and Investment, the Hon. Charles Fernandez welcomes the news and credits the hard work of Team Tourism.

“We welcome this very positive development at a time when worldwide economic instability has threatened our very fragile industry.

The war in Ukraine has resulted in higher fuel and food prices, which in turn translates to higher costs of living inclusive of higher travel fares; and this minimizes disposable income.

I must congratulate all the hard-working staff of the Ministry of Tourism, the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority and all of our partners for keeping Antigua and Barbuda front of mind in the travel industry”, stated Minister Fernandez.

September is traditionally one of the slowest months in the tourism calendar year and news of this growth in visitor arrivals to the destination beckons an optimistic outlook for the winter tourist season 2022-2023.

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News

Veteran calypsonian Winston “Explainer” Henry –

Veteran calypsonian Winston “Explainer” Henry has died, the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO) announced on its Facebook page on Friday. He was 74.

TUCO said Explainer died on October 7. It did not state the cause of death.

Explainer gave TT many hits, including Ras Mass and Lorraine.

The TUCO release said he was born on November 13, 1947 and was the father of three children: Wendell, Stageann and Winston.

It added that he was “affectionately dubbed the messenger because he composed songs which expressed the ills of society and the oppression of the poor man.”

Explainer began singing calypso in 1969 and spent more than 50 years in the industry producing hits like Lorraine with producer Rawlston Charles.

“Lorraine, that highly infectious song, was indeed a hit with locals and fans abroad. In fact Lorraine made it to the British charts at position number 35,” the release said.

Throughout his career, he collaborated with many colleagues, including Bunji Garlin, Maximus Dan and Farmer Nappy.

It added that he composed for and mentored many young calypsonians, among them Devon Seale, Karene Asche, Rondell Donawa, Chuck Gordon and Victoria Cooper.

“As a cultural ambassador, Explainer took calypso around the world. He performed in Europe, North America, South America and throughout the Caribbean. He also performed in prestigious venues like the Commonwealth Institute in London, The Apollo Theatre, Madison Square Garden, Studio 54 and Brooklyn Academy,” it said.

In 2018 Explainer was awarded the Hummingbird Medal Gold for his contribution to TT’s culture.

In November last year, he launched his own web page, www.explainertt.com.

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On Friday, October 7, 2022, Prime Minister Hon. Philip J. Pierre learned that the President of the Senate Mr. Stanley Felix was formally charged by police under Section 376 of the Criminal Code of Saint Lucia.

As Head of the Government, Hon. Pierre demands the highest levels of professionalism and integrity from all public officials at all times.

As such, the Governor General acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister and pursuant to section 27 (2) (e) of the Constitution of Saint Lucia, has been advised to revoke Mr. Felix’s appointment and relieve him of his Senatorial duties in the Upper House of Parliament.

His successor will be announced at a subsequent time.

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The Prime Minister assures the Saint Lucian public that the continuation of the business of government and all related state affairs remains a priority to him and the Cabinet which he leads.

SOURCE: Office of the Prime Minister

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