分类： education

Against a backdrop of growing financial strain pushing prospective and current medical students and their families to the brink, the American University of Antigua (AUA) has announced three targeted affordability measures designed to expand access to medical training and ease long-term budget uncertainty. In a formal statement unveiling the new policies, AUA President Dr. Peter Bell outlined the changes, which go into effect immediately for qualifying enrollees.

Antigua and Barbuda’s Ministry of Agriculture is pressing forward with its annual Summer Internship Programme this week, delivering hands-on, immersive learning for young participants through guided educational visits to two distinct local farming operations. The 11th day of the program was dedicated entirely to building practical expertise in poultry rearing and avian management, taking interns first to privately owned Pelle Farm, followed by the educational farm facility of All Saints Secondary School.

Owned by Kelvin Pelle, a former Agricultural Science educator, Pelle Farm introduced interns to a diverse roster of avian species far beyond the common commercial chicken, including rheas, domestic ducks, and rare black chicken breeds. Experienced farm staff walked the group through species-specific protocols for daily care, nutritional needs, and population management, breaking down the unique requirements of raising each type of bird for commercial or small-scale production.

After concluding their tour of Pelle Farm, the intern cohort traveled to All Saints Secondary School’s on-site farm, where the school’s specialized agricultural education team led an interactive workshop focused on core poultry production concepts and the critical role of pure breed conservation. During this session, participants examined a wide range of poultry, from quail, pheasants, and partridges to commercial layer hens and broiler chickens. They gained clear insight into the key functional differences between lines bred specifically for consistent egg output and those developed for meat production.

The workshop also covered advanced foundational topics, including selective breeding practices designed to preserve and enhance desirable genetic traits in poultry flocks. Farm instructors demonstrated a simple, longstanding industry technique that allows producers to assess whether a hen is actively laying eggs by measuring the spacing between the bird’s pelvic bones—wider spacing indicates consistent egg production. Interns also learned a key biological fact about layer chickens: the species is photoperiodic, meaning the length of daily daylight directly impacts laying rates, with longer daylight hours typically driving higher egg output.

Food safety, a critical component of successful poultry production, was another core focus of the day’s learning. The agricultural team clarified a common industry misconception, explaining that washing raw eggs with tap water actually compromises food safety by stripping away the cuticle, the natural protective coating on the egg shell that blocks bacterial infiltration. Instead, producers and handlers should only gently wipe eggs with a dry cloth when dirt needs to be removed, to preserve the shell’s natural defenses.

Many participants got the rare chance to safely interact with and handle different poultry birds, allowing them to directly observe avian behavior and temperaments first-hand—an opportunity few entry-level learners get in traditional classroom settings.

In a statement following the day’s visits, the Ministry of Agriculture outlined the core mission of the Summer Internship Programme: to give emerging agricultural professionals exposure to the full breadth of the sector through experiential, practical learning that builds in-demand technical skills and fosters long-term interest in agricultural careers. The program will continue in the coming weeks with additional on-site field visits and targeted training sessions, all aimed at expanding participants’ understanding of agriculture’s outsize role in supporting Antigua and Barbuda’s national economy and strengthening the country’s domestic food security.

Barbuda’s Holy Trinity Primary School has marked a milestone for its 2026 Grade 6 cohort, gathering students, families, educators and community leaders to celebrate the completion of primary education and send graduates off to secondary school with messages of purpose, collaboration, and self-belief. Under the event’s theme “Be the Best You Can Be: Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow,” the ceremony didn’t only honor academic excellence — it also shined a spotlight on exceptional leadership, strong citizenship, and remarkable personal growth across the graduating class.

Guest speaker Ezekiel Francois, who holds dual roles as President of the Antigua and Barbuda Youth Parliament and President of the Barbuda Youth Council, delivered the keynote charge to graduates, drawing on his own experience as an alumnus of Holy Trinity Primary to frame his message. Francois emphasized that sustained student success is never the work of a single group: it relies on three interconnected pillars — the drive of graduates themselves, the dedication of parents, and the commitment of the wider community. To nurture the next generation of leaders, he argued, local stakeholders must set aside their differences and align around a shared goal of helping every student reach their full potential. Addressing the widespread imposter syndrome that can affect small-island students moving into larger secondary education systems, Francois reminded the cohort that their Barbuda roots do not make them less capable than peers anywhere in the world, urging them to carry unshakable confidence into every new opportunity.

Before the keynote, school administration reflected on the 2025-2026 academic year, highlighting a diverse range of extracurricular and developmental opportunities that shaped the cohort’s experience. Students took part in meaningful Black History Month programming, competitive interschool sports events, structured youth leadership programs, and immersive educational field trips that extended learning beyond classroom walls. Administrators praised the hard work of the school’s teaching team, support staff, and parent body for helping students navigate the unique challenges of the final year of primary education, and encouraged graduates to hold fast to their values, maintain a strong work ethic, and embrace confidence as they transition to the next stage of their academic careers.

Grade 6 lead teacher Karianna Baltimore echoed that praise, highlighting the cohort’s consistent determination throughout the academic year. She reported that the vast majority of graduates earned Level One or Level Two scores on the national Grade 6 assessment, a testament to their consistent effort. Baltimore also recognized one exceptional Spanish-speaking graduate who entered Grade 6 with limited English proficiency but refused to let language barriers slow his progress. Honoring the student with a special award for perseverance, she noted that his grit throughout the year set a powerful example for his entire class.

Student speakers also shared heartfelt perspectives on their journey. Valedictorian Seth Jacobs, named the cohort’s most outstanding overall student, opened his address by thanking God, his family, and his teachers for the steady support that allowed him to thrive. He left his classmates with a clear mantra: even when faced with obstacles, hard work, consistent determination, and unwavering self-belief are the keys to unlocking long-term success. Salutatorian Akari Thomas delivered the ceremony’s vote of thanks, extending gratitude to school staff, local sponsors, donors, and community members whose contributions made both the academic year and the graduation celebration possible. She encouraged her peers to stay focused on their goals as they adjust to the demands of secondary school.

Beyond the speeches, the ceremony featured a full awards program recognizing a wide range of achievements. In addition to naming Jacobs as valedictorian and Thomas as salutatorian, organizers awarded academic subject prizes, leadership honors, and citizenship awards to standout students. Liani Burton received the coveted Citizenship Award, Tyrese Joyce was recognized as the cohort’s Most Improved Student, and Azara John took home the Leadership Award. The event closed with a formal prayer for the graduates, asking for guidance and protection as they prepare to begin their secondary education journeys.

Fourteen promising secondary school students from Antigua and Barbuda have officially embarked on a transformative career-building journey with the 2026 iteration of the Taste of Wadadli Junior Chef Academy, a targeted six-week immersive training initiative crafted to nurture emerging talent in the island nation’s key hospitality sector.

Running from July 13 through August 21, the program moves beyond textbook learning to place young participants directly in professional commercial kitchens at some of Antigua and Barbuda’s most respected hotels and restaurants. Under the close guidance of seasoned, expert chef mentors, students will gain on-the-ground practical experience that lays a foundational understanding of day-to-day operations in the fast-paced food service and tourism industries.

The six-week training period will conclude with a high-stakes public Cook-Off Challenge, scheduled to take place between August 25 and 28. This capstone event will give each trainee the opportunity to demonstrate the technical skills, creative vision, and professional habits they have refined during their internship placements. The overall champion will be unveiled at a formal awards ceremony on September 3, where they will officially receive the title of 2026 Taste of Wadadli Junior Chef.

A standout new addition to this year’s academy is an expanded regional partnership with the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association, opening exciting international opportunities for the competition’s winner. The top-performing student will earn an all-expenses-paid trip to the Turks and Caicos Islands in 2027 to join the Junior Lit’l Chefs Program, a component of the territory’s popular TCI Hospitality Adventure Camps. During the exchange, the young chef will train alongside leading Caribbean culinary professionals and connect with other like-minded young people pursuing culinary careers from across the region.

Program organizers have emphasized that the initiative would not be possible without the generous support of key community and industry partners. The academy is sustained in large part by the support of the Isaac family, who back the program as a living tribute to the late Ted Isaac, a beloved figure in Antigua and Barbuda’s hospitality community. Additional sponsorship and in-kind support comes from Global Ports Holding, which operates Antigua Cruise Port, as well as all participating accommodation and dining venues, volunteer chef mentors, secondary school teachers, and a range of other community stakeholders that have contributed time, resources, and expertise to the project.

At its core, the Taste of Wadadli Junior Chef Academy was created to address a key need in Antigua and Barbuda’s economy: nurturing homegrown young talent to fill roles in the country’s largest economic sector, tourism and hospitality. By providing accessible, hands-on training early in young people’s educational journeys, organizers hope to inspire more secondary school students to pursue long-term, rewarding careers in culinary arts and hospitality across the twin-island nation.