Black Immigrant Daily News

ORANJESTAD (AAN):  Dialuna 18 di juli 2022, Parlamentario Shailiny Tromp-Lee a  asisti na un rueda di prensa extraordinario di Minister di Enseñansa y Deporte

caminda el a anuncia cu un team di negociado a logra bolter e contracto entre Lotto pa Deporte y Canadian Bank Notes (CBN). Un contracto cu tabatin un validez te cu aña 2035 pero manera Minister Endy Croes a indica cu mediante di negociacionnan duro y fuerte, honesto y den ‘good faith’ a logra fiha condicionnan nobo cu lo keda ancra den un contracto nobo.

            Dentro di 90 dia un contracto nobo lo bay keda firma entre Lotto y CBN. Un contracto cu sigur lo bay aporta na realisa e vision di Gabinete Wever-Croes, esta cu deporte y deportistanan mester ta central den cualkier proceso.

            Un di e condicionnan sigur cu ta impactante ta e hecho cu a logra bolter e contrato bek na e situacion di prome cu aña 2011 unda cu CBN tabata haya unicamente 8,25% di e benta bruto na management fee pa e servicio di tecnologia compara cu e 23.5% cu nan a cuminsa haya desde 2011 te cu awor pa e servicio di tecnologia y e operacion total di Lotto cu e tempo ey a keda pasa completamente pa CBN.

            Sigur e logro aki ta algo grandi. Algo cu sigur Minister Endy Croes a traha cu hopi determinacion pa ser alcansa. Ami sigur ta aplaudi tur e trabou duro realisa pa tur stakeholders. Ami kier wak inversion den deporte tuma lugar, ami kier wak nos facilidadnan y canchanan deportivo keda restaura y manteni, ami kier wak nos deportistanan keda enberdad poni central.

            Nos no mester lubida cu durante 2001-2009 nos por a wak unda e placa di Lotto tabata bay, caminda veldnan a keda drecha, a haya luz, cura, manteni, caminda hopi facilidadnan Deportivo y recreacional a keda construi.

            Facilidadnan Deportivo manera: CD Frans Figaroa, Parke Curason na Yaburibari, CD Nadi Croes/Crismo Angela, dos veldnan na Pos Chikito, CD na Yara y Simon Antonio. Alabes a cambia e yerbe y drecha CD Guillermo Prospero Trinidad. Pero tin hopi mas. A bira ora pa Lotto bira enberdad pa deporte y nos deportistanan bek.

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Mardi matin, la presse était conviée pour découvrir l’avancement du chantier du futur CHU de Guadeloupe. L’occasion de se focaliser sur le tant attendu service des urgences.

France-Antilles Guadeloupe

1132 mots – 20.07.2022

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Las autoridades identificaron como Jorge O. Velázquez Mercado, de 36 años, y Joevic Kehnel Villar Martínez, de 33 años, como las víctimas de una balacera registrada la noche de ayer, martes, en el barrio Playa en Salinas.

Según la Uniformada, ambos hombres son residentes de este municipio. En la balacera también resultó herido de bala Enrique Ayala. Este recibió un impacto de bala en el área del cuello.  

Al momento, se desconoce el móvil de los hechos.

El caso fue referido a la División de Homicidios del Cuerpo de Investigaciones Criminales de Guayama, quienes, junto al fiscal de turno, se hicieron cargo de la investigación.

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CABINET has approved a framework for the revised operations of some secondary schools for the period 2022-2027.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Ministry of Education said the objective of the framework was to increase student achievement and equity of educational opportunity.

Data collected by the ministry over the last ten to 15 years shows that an average of 47 per cent of students left school annually without achieving certification in at least five CSEC (Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate) subjects, inclusive of maths and English.

“This greatly limits their ability to continue to tertiary education and find jobs above minimum wage.”

The ministry said other studies done over the years had explored the link that existed between educational achievement, reliance on the government’s support network, and crime.

“This has serious economic, social and security implications.”

The ministy’s data showed that less-than-optimal conditions at some secondary schools have had an impact on the students at those schools.

Those conditions include greater than 60 per cent SEA (Secondary Entrance Assessment examination) intake with scores under 50 per cent, parents with low socioeconomic circumstances and critical school infrastructure in need of repair.

While the ministry said its vacation revision programme would help in providing additional academic and psychosocial support to students who needed it, a more organised, sustained and sustainable systemic approach to school operation was required in some schools to “change their current trajectory with respect to student output.”

On July 1, Education Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly said the remedial programme would deal with 9,000 students who scored under 50 per cent in the SEA exam and, as such, would not be adequately prepared for secondary school.

The ministry said principals of selected schools and other education stakeholders such as the TT Unified Teachers’ Association (TTUTA) and the National Parent-Teachers’ Association (NPTA) were consulted on the issues.

The stakeholders shared their experiences and made recommendations on issues such as mitigating school indiscipline and generating a positive school culture.

The recommendations were included in the ministry’s framework.

Specific recommendations are to be implemented on a phased basis and will be aligned with the unique characteristics of selected secondary schools.

The Education Ministry will partner with other government ministries to implement the recommendations which related to leadership, security and discipline.

The security recommendation focuses on things such as increased school patrols, full complement of security officers at schools and the assignment of community police officers to schools.

“Some of these initiatives are already ongoing in schools.”

The detailed implementation of other initiatives require further discussions with education stakeholders.

The ministry said the public would be further updated in due course about the secondary schools that will fall under the new framework

The public will also be informed at a later time of the ministry’s plans to focus on the performance of primary schools.

Catholic Education Board of Management CEO Sharon Mangroo said the denominational boards provided information to the ministry about identifying barriers to student achievement and recommendations for mitigating them.

“I am heartened by the comprehensive approach being signaled and look forward to sustained implementation of mitigating action.”

NPTA president Keith David also welcomed the concept of the framework. But he said, “We need to ensure that our projects are measurable.”

David indicated that some of the initiatives being mentioned in the framework are already being done.

Commenting on the ministry’s announcement, Tabaquite MP Anita Haynes said, “The proof will be in the implementation.

“This Government has been very good with announcements but will get a failing grade at implementation.”

Haynes had no doubt that a less than optimal climate at some schools has been affecting student performance.

“This is an undeniable fact and some serious introspection is also required here because I am sure we will find that government-run schools are falling behind.”

Haynes said, “Therefore, a serious look at what could be done to improve the learning space in the government school to reach the very attainable goal of equity.”

She was alarmed that the statistics provided by the ministry showed that over the last ten to 15 years, 47 per cent of students leave without certification.

“It exposes a significant problem.”

Haynes suggested a disagreation of these numbers could help to better assess the problem.”

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Attorney Larry Lalla. –

ATTORNEY Larry Lalla on Monday wrote to the Police Service Commission (PSC) requesting that it not consider the contents of a report of a previous incarnation of the PSC when considering Gary Griffith for the post of Police Commissioner.

In a two page letter sent to PSC chairman retired Justice Judith Jones, Lalla asked for confirmation that the contents of a report done by retired Justice Stanley John into allegations of a bribery racket for firearm users licences (FULs), will not be considered during the process for selecting a Police Commissioner.

John was hired to conduct the investigation in December 2020 after the National Security Council (NSC), chaired by the Prime Minister, appointed retired Rear Admiral Hayden Pritchard and retired Snr Supt Arthur Barrington to look into the issuing of FULs.

At the time Griffith had approved over 5,000 FULs, with over 100 civilians granted permission to carry high powered weapons. Before his tenure, an average of 200 FULs were issued annually, mainly for civilians to carry handguns and shotguns.

The Police Complaints Authority (PCA) also investigated the increase in FUL successful applications while the police service had their own criminal investigation leading to 15 charges against two officers assigned to the firearms unit.

ASP Aaron Beddoe, 56 and Sgt David Swanson, 45, were charged with misbehaviour in public office by conspiring with other people between February and April 2021 to approve variation letters for licensed firearm holders to purchase additional firearms and ammunition. Beddoe was charged with six offences while Swanson was charged with nine.

Last month Griffith re-applied for the post of Commissioner which was advertised in June with a deadline date for applicants at 4 pm on June 30. A previous list of potential candidates was discarded after the former PSC led by chairman Bliss Seepersad imploded.

The application became necessary after a completed merit list was submitted to President Paula-Mae Weekes on August 11, 2021 and immediately withdrawn. The Jones-led PSC said the previous list will be abandoned for a fresh process. The withdrawal of the merit list triggered calls for government members to resign, changed the laws to select a police commissioner and deputies and a failed attempt by the Opposition to impeach the President.

In his letter, Lalla wrote: “Should your Commission decide to use the said report in considering and treating with Mr Griffith’s said application, that he would be first provided with a copy of the report and be allowed a reasonable opportunity to consider the contents of same prior to receiving any questions your Commission may have on the contents.”

Lalla said previous attempts to get a copy of the report from the PSC were unsuccessful. He said there were inaccuracies in the public domain that were supposedly part of the report. He said the report covered the period 2018-2021 when Griffith was Police Commissioner. He added that at no time prior to the completion of the report was his client given an opportunity to respond to claims made.

He further asked that all other reports done in relation to the police service during Griffith’s time at the helm not be used and if so, Griffith be afforded an opportunity to respond.

On July 8 the PSC in a media release said it appraised Griffith’s performance from January-August 2021. The results were not released as the PSC at the time was finalising the report. In that release the PSC said it hopes to complete the process of selecting candidates for the top cop post by the end of the year.

On Monday the Prime Minister said the report done by John will be sent to the PSC in full and summarily to Parliament. He said the report made for “very disturbing reading.” Rowley added that the John report will also be sent to acting Commissioner of Police Mc Donald Jacob.

In December last year another investigation into dealings at the firearms unit of the police service began, spearheaded by three retired officers – Wellington Virgil, Raymond Craig and Luke Charles – along with three current officers and a secretariat from the National Security Ministry.

The Finance Ministry also audited the police service under Griffith’s watch resulting in some 19 contracted workers being terminated.

Asked on Monday about Griffith getting Parliament’s support if the PSC selects him, Rowley said he was not prepared to speak about any one candidate.

“Why are you talking to me about Gary Griffith? There are 1.4 million citizens. The work of the commission applies to 1.4 million citizens. I don’t know who the commission will recommend to the Parliament and I have no idea at this point in time how the parliamentary decisions will go. So to be picking up the name of one individual and bringing it forward is just for the effervescence of the day.”

Griffith and Rowley had a public falling out in 2020 over the enforcing of the public health regulations. After he was called to a meeting with Rowley, Griffith publicly apologised to Rowley saying he was passionate. After that public spat, Rowley wrote to the then Seepersad led PSC, expressing that he lost confidence in Griffith as Police Commissioner.

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