The Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers’ Association (TTUTA) has formally requested the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance to provide clarity on the implementation of a negotiated five per cent wage increase for teachers, covering the period from October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2023. In a statement released on November 25 and signed by newly appointed president Crystal Ashe, TTUTA revealed that the Ministry of Education is awaiting formal instructions from the Ministry of Finance to proceed. Ashe emphasized that the association was assured processing would commence immediately upon receiving the directive. Consequently, TTUTA has also written to the Minister of Finance, demanding a clear timeline for the payments. Ashe stressed the importance of transparency and timely information for educators, vowing to advocate vigorously on their behalf. The statement referenced Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo’s October 13 budget presentation, where he announced the ratification of Collective Agreements signed in April 2025, which include wage increases for the Teaching Service, the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, and the Port of Spain and San Fernando City Corporations. The minister estimated the annual cost of implementing these agreements at $214 million, with arrears amounting to $730 million by December 2025. Meanwhile, conflicting reports have emerged regarding a ten per cent wage increase offer to the Public Services Association (PSA). While PSA President Felisha Thomas claimed the association received a formal offer, an unnamed source from the Chief Personnel Officer’s office stated that the letter only promised an offer subject to negotiations. Former Finance Minister Colm Imbert refrained from commenting on the situation but noted that the 2026 budget did not allocate funds for the salary increases or backpay, suggesting that a second budget for 2026 would be necessary if the payments are to be made.
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UK man changes plea, admits driving into Liverpool FC parade
In a dramatic courtroom reversal, Paul Doyle, a British man, confessed on Wednesday to intentionally driving his car into crowds during Liverpool Football Club’s Premier League victory parade in May. Doyle, who initially denied all 31 charges, including grievous bodily harm, wounding with intent, affray, and dangerous driving, broke down in tears as he entered guilty pleas on the second day of his trial. The incident, which occurred on May 26 in Liverpool city center, left 134 people injured, including infants and children, with 50 requiring hospital treatment. No fatalities were reported. Judge Andrew Menary warned Doyle to expect a lengthy custodial sentence, with sentencing scheduled for December 15. Doyle, a former Royal Marine from a Liverpool suburb, allegedly became increasingly agitated by the crowds, as shown in dashcam footage, and chose to drive through them rather than wait. Sarah Hammond, the Crown Prosecution Service’s top regional prosecutor, described the act as “calculated violence” that turned celebration into chaos. Doyle, a father of three, has been in custody since his arrest and faces charges related to 29 victims, including eight children, the youngest being six months old.
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Dominica to commission geothermal power plant in December
The government of Dominica has announced the commissioning of its 10-megawatt geothermal power plant next month, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s transition to a cleaner and more resilient energy sector. Finance Minister Dr. Irving McIntyre revealed that commercial operations are set to commence in the first week of March 2026, positioning the facility as a cornerstone in reducing energy costs and enhancing the country’s renewable energy infrastructure.
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Motorists advised to expect delays in Hanover
Residents and commuters in Lucea, Hanover, are being cautioned about potential traffic disruptions as the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) undertakes essential post-planting and rewiring operations along Church Street and Seaview Drive. The utility company issued a public advisory on Wednesday, urging motorists to adhere to traffic directives and prepare for minor delays while navigating the affected routes. The infrastructure upgrades are part of JPS’s ongoing efforts to enhance electrical systems in the region. Authorities have assured the public that updates will be provided as the work progresses. Drivers are encouraged to plan their journeys accordingly to minimize inconvenience during this period.
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Stick Figure lands sixth Billboard-charting album with Free Flow Sessions
California-based reggae band Stick Figure has once again made waves in the music industry, securing its sixth title on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart. Their latest release, *Free Flow Sessions*, debuted at an impressive #2. The album, which dropped on November 14 via Ruffwood Records, features 12 tracks, including six brand-new compositions. These tracks, such as *Moon Palace*, *Walking in My Shoes*, and *Fools Gold*, showcase the band’s signature dub-style reggae beats, with many tracks being remixed, extended, and reimagined. Stick Figure’s journey to the top began in 2009 with *Smoke Stack*, which peaked at #8. Since then, their subsequent albums—*Burial Ground* (2012), *Set in Stone* (2015), *World On Fire* (2019), and *Wisdom* (2022)—have all claimed the #1 spot. Notably, *World On Fire*, *Set in Stone*, and *Wisdom* continue to hold positions on the latest chart at #5, #7, and #8, respectively. Meanwhile, Bob Marley and the Wailers maintain their legendary status with *Legend*, logging 306 non-consecutive weeks at #1. Other notable entries include Shaggy’s *Best of Shaggy: The Boombastic Collection* at #3 and Sean Paul’s *Dutty Classics Collection* at #4. The reggae scene remains vibrant, with artists like Vybz Kartel making their mark on various Billboard charts, while regional charts highlight the enduring appeal of reggae across the U.S. and Canada.
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Brace for a recession
The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) has issued a stark warning about the economic fallout from Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that ravaged the island late last month. The catastrophic damage is expected to reverse recent economic gains, spike unemployment, and significantly reduce GDP, potentially plunging the nation into a recession in the coming quarters. Dr. Wayne Henry, Director General of the PIOJ, described the short- to medium-term economic outlook as ‘generally negative,’ projecting an 11-13% contraction in the current October-December quarter and an overall decline of 3-6% for fiscal year 2025/26. ‘The impacts of Hurricane Melissa are unprecedented, and the country must brace for a recession,’ Henry stated during the institute’s quarterly press briefing on Tuesday. A recession, typically marked by two or more consecutive quarters of declining GDP, often brings rising unemployment, reduced business investment, and lower consumer spending. This grim forecast follows a period of economic recovery after Hurricane Beryl in 2024, which the PIOJ had previously dismissed as a recession risk. However, the scale of Melissa’s destruction has forced a reassessment. James Stewart, Senior Director in the Economic Planning and Research Division, noted that economic growth is unlikely to return until late 2026, with a downturn expected for the next three to four quarters. The storm’s historic devastation has severely damaged residential and productive assets, wiping out an estimated 41% of Jamaica’s GDP. Key industries such as Agriculture, Tourism, Information and Communication, and Construction are among the hardest hit. Agriculture, in particular, faces severe challenges, as the seven most affected parishes account for 74% of domestic crop production and major livestock operations. Tourism, responsible for 90% of the island’s hotel room stock, has been crippled by temporary closures, reduced capacity, and a US Level 3 Travel Advisory. Preliminary data for October already shows an 18% drop in visitor arrivals. Infrastructure damage, halted capital projects, and curtailed transportation services further exacerbate the economic strain. Henry emphasized that while the projections are dire, they remain fluid and could change with new information. Recovery to pre-hurricane levels is conservatively estimated to take 3-5 years, given the extensive loss of productive assets. The PIOJ, supported by international partners, aims to complete its damage and loss assessment by mid-December. Despite a strong July-September quarter driven by election-related spending, tourism, and sports events, the economic outlook remains bleak. Agriculture had shown remarkable growth of 23.9% earlier in the year, but Melissa’s impact has erased these gains. For the first nine months of 2025, real GDP grew by 2.4%, supported by increases in the Goods Producing and Services Industries. However, the road to recovery will be long and arduous, requiring swift and effective humanitarian and economic recovery initiatives.
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Comedian Dufton Shepherd to make impact with Nov 30 Slightly Unhinged
Comedian Dufton “Duffy” Shepherd, known for his infectious cheerfulness, was left heartbroken after witnessing the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa in western Jamaica. The Category 5 storm left a trail of destruction that surpassed his worst fears. However, Shepherd quickly transformed his grief into action, using his upcoming comedy show, *Slightly Unhinged*, as a platform to bring relief and smiles to his fellow Jamaicans.
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Gov’t allocates $10m per constituency to kick-start national clean-up campaign
In response to the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has unveiled a comprehensive $630 million national clean-up initiative. During a ministerial statement in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, Holness announced that each of Jamaica’s 63 constituencies will receive $10 million to spearhead the recovery efforts. Additionally, $150,000 will be allocated to each councillor within these constituencies to support local coordination.
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Regional confab to address early childhood education concerns
A pivotal regional colloquium is set to take place on November 27-28 at The University of the West Indies (The UWI) Regional Headquarters in St Andrew, Jamaica. Organized by the Jamaica National (JN) Foundation in partnership with the Early Childhood Commission, The UWI School of Education, and the Dudley Grant Early Childhood Resource Centre, the event seeks to address critical gaps in Jamaica’s early childhood education sector. The initiative comes in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, which exacerbated existing challenges in the sector, highlighting the urgent need for systemic improvements. Claudine Allen, General Manager of JN Foundation, emphasized the long-term nature of this endeavor, stating, ‘It is not a sprint, it is a marathon.’ She expressed concern over the damage reported by the National Education Trust and stressed the importance of collaborative efforts to mitigate learning losses and ensure equitable access to quality education. The colloquium aims to bring together regional experts to share successes, challenges, and actionable solutions. Topics on the agenda include inclusion, technology’s role in education, teacher training, and policy effectiveness. Over 20 speakers from across the Caribbean will participate, fostering a collaborative environment to develop strategies for sustainable progress. The event, themed ‘Building Strong Foundations: Advancing Early Childhood Education through Policy, Practice and Partnership,’ underscores the commitment of stakeholders to create a robust framework for early childhood education. Interested participants are encouraged to register via the JN Foundation website at www.jnfoundation.com.
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Poverty levels dip to historic low 7.8%
Jamaica has reached a significant milestone in its fight against poverty, with the national poverty rate dropping to a historic low of 7.8% in 2024, down from 8.2% in 2023. Additionally, extreme poverty, also known as food poverty, has fallen to 2.7%, the lowest level since 1989. These findings were disclosed by Dr. Wayne Henry, Director General of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), during the institute’s quarterly media briefing on Tuesday. The data, sourced from the Jamaica Survey of Living Conditions (JSLC) conducted by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica, highlights the nation’s progress in addressing economic disparities. Dr. Henry emphasized that the 2024 poverty rate is statistically similar to the previous year’s figure, considering the margin of error. He explained that food poverty, which refers to households’ inability to afford the minimum daily caloric intake for good health, has seen a gradual decline since 2013 when it stood at 10.3%. Key factors contributing to this improvement include targeted social protection programs, record-low unemployment rates, and enhanced macroeconomic stability, including moderate inflation. Despite economic challenges such as weather-related shocks that reduced agricultural output and rural earnings, government interventions, inflation moderation, and increased employment have helped maintain household consumption levels. Dr. Henry also noted that poverty rates have shown relative stability across all regions, with the Greater Kingston Metropolitan Area recording the lowest rate at 2.5%. Rural areas, historically the most affected, saw a slight reduction to 11% in 2024. Furthermore, mean per capita consumption expenditure grew by 5.5% nominally and 1.1% after adjusting for inflation. The PIOJ is also developing a multidimensional poverty index to capture broader forms of deprivation, such as limited access to education, healthcare, and housing, complementing traditional monetary measures.