A sweeping, purpose-driven classroom transformation at Mill Academy has officially launched, reimagining the historic learning institution’s physical and digital infrastructure to remove longstanding barriers to high-quality tech-enabled education for two underserved community groups: enrolled K-12 students and local adult women who previously lacked reliable access to digital skill-building resources. The multi-phase renovation, completed over a six-month period with funding from regional education grants and local corporate philanthropy, replaced outdated, under-resourced classroom spaces with state-of-the-art interactive whiteboards, high-speed broadband connectivity, 120 new laptop and tablet devices, and dedicated modular workstations tailored to accommodate both full-time student schedules and flexible, after-hours learning tracks for adult learners. School administrators noted that the redesign was intentionally structured to move beyond traditional one-size-fits-all classroom layouts, with dedicated breakout zones for collaborative project work, one-on-one tech tutoring, and quiet study spaces for adult learners balancing part-time work and caregiving responsibilities alongside their coursework. For the academy’s 450 enrolled students, the upgraded spaces now enable daily hands-on lessons in coding, digital media production, and data literacy that were previously impossible to deliver at scale, aligning local K-12 curricula with national digital learning standards that prepare young people for 21st-century career paths. For the 87 local adult women who have already enrolled in the academy’s new free evening digital skills program, the transformed classrooms offer a rare accessible pathway to earn industry-recognized certifications in basic computer operations, remote work tools, and digital entrepreneurship, resources that many participants reported were previously unavailable to them due to geographic, financial, and scheduling constraints. Mill Academy’s head of community outreach emphasized that the project was rooted in a core mission to turn the educational institution from a space that served only its full-time student body into a regional hub for intergenerational digital equity, with plans to expand the program to serve an additional 200 adult learners by the end of the 2025 academic year.
分类： education
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Jacito Teaches Belizean Children to Create Opportunities
Against a backdrop of persistent youth unemployment and a steadily rising cost of living across Belize, veteran educator Dr. Carol Babb is rolling out a new educational resource designed to shift young people’s mindset from passive job-seeking to proactive opportunity creation. Released on October 27, 2026, her latest children’s title, *Jacito Becomes an Entrepreneur*, is the fourth installment of her widely popular financial literacy storybook series, which breaks down the traditionally complex mechanics of launching a small business into accessible, age-appropriate lessons for young readers.
The narrative follows the eponymous Jacito, a young child whose casual dream of running a neighborhood dog-care service evolves into a hands-on masterclass in building a sustainable venture. Rather than framing the journey as a trivial childhood fantasy, the story walks readers through every practical step of entrepreneurship: from conducting independent market research, drafting a clear mission and vision, sourcing required supplies, to mapping out operating costs. The story’s central dynamic — a series of tough, probing conversations between Jacito and his grandmother as he plans his business — is directly inspired by the legacy of the late Jane Usher, a beloved Belizean financial literacy pioneer who dedicated decades of her life to advocating for household savings, responsible borrowing, and broad-based financial independence.
Clement Usher, Chief Financial Officer of the Holy Redeemer Credit Union (HRCU), emphasized the timeliness of carrying Usher’s legacy forward, noting that the critical value of emergency savings became universally apparent during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns, when millions of people across the region lost full-time work or were placed on reduced pay, and only households with pre-existing savings buffers were able to cover basic living expenses without crisis. He praised Dr. Babb for translating Usher’s lifelong advocacy into engaging, child-friendly content that reaches a new generation far earlier than traditional personal finance education typically begins.
The preceding three books in the Jacito series have already introduced young audiences to foundational personal finance skills including earning income, budgeting, and setting aside regular savings. This new installment builds directly on that base, demonstrating how those core money management competencies can be combined to launch a self-sustaining business that not only supports the young founder, but can eventually create new jobs for other members of the community. Geridene Reneau, Chief Librarian at Belize’s Leo Bradley Library, highlighted that these lessons are uniquely critical amid current global economic volatility, where fluctuating commodity prices and lingering post-pandemic financial pressures have made household financial resilience more important than ever. She noted that the series does not merely entertain young readers, but arms them with actionable, long-term knowledge that will shape every major financial decision they make well into adulthood.
Unlike many popular simplified narratives that frame entrepreneurship as an easy, fast path to success, *Jacito Becomes an Entrepreneur* is unflinchingly honest about the hard work required to launch a venture. Young readers are guided through the process of calculating startup costs, researching small business financing options, learning the criteria to qualify for a small credit union loan, and mapping out consistent loan repayment schedules. The book’s core thesis stresses that while a creative idea is the initial spark for any new venture, rigorous planning and consistent effort are the only elements that turn a casual dream into a stable, operating business.
Dr. Babb explained that the project grew directly from her decades of frontline experience in Belize’s education system, where she repeatedly encountered young unemployed people who framed their only path to stability as waiting for external employers to offer them a position. Her core goal with the series is to dismantle that pervasive job-seeking mindset, and give children the practical skills and confidence to build their own livelihoods on their own terms. In partnership with HRCU, all credit union member-owners can claim a free physical copy of the new book at any local HRCU branch. The title is also available for general purchase at The Angelus Press location in Belize City, and via the official DigiWallet online Merch Store. -
Ministry of Education Announces 2026 Top Three CSEC Students
Following a full review and resolution of all submitted queries related to the 2026 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination cycle, Antigua and Barbuda’s Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has officially released the nation’s top-ranked student standings, validated by a finalized official report from the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC).
Topping the national leaderboard is Jhordyn Jacobs, a student of Baptist Academy of Antigua, who delivered an unprecedented performance by securing 21 Grade I passes across all subjects they sat for. Claiming the second national position is Kayden Lewis, representing St. Joseph’s Academy, who earned 20 Grade I passes alongside 4 Grade II passes. Third place honors go to Aliane Challenger, another Baptist Academy of Antigua pupil, who notched 20 Grade I passes and 1 Grade II pass.
Education ministry leadership emphasized that these extraordinary results are far more than individual milestones, representing years of consistent dedication, rigorous self-discipline, and relentless pursuit of academic mastery that have sparked widespread national celebration. Officials extended formal commendations not only to the high-achieving trio, but also to their parents and guardians, whose unwavering at-home support, encouragement, and investment in their children’s learning journeys laid a critical foundation for this success. The recognition also encompasses school principals, classroom educators, and the broader school communities across both institutions, whose intentional high-quality instruction, targeted academic mentorship, structured exam preparation frameworks, and thoughtful leadership helped cultivate the knowledge, confidence, and resilience that allowed these students to outperform regional peers.
Ministry representatives further noted that these top results stand as a testament to collective collaborative effort across Antigua and Barbuda’s entire education ecosystem, rather than isolated individual feats, and called on all young learners across the country to draw motivation from the three top performers’ example of perseverance, as they work toward their own distinct academic and career goals. The announcement reaffirmed the government’s ongoing policy commitment to elevating national education standards, expanding equitable learning access, and ensuring every student in the nation has the necessary resources and support to reach their maximum potential. The ministry closed the official statement by extending warm wishes to the three top students as they advance to higher education pathways, expressing full confidence that their future contributions will help drive Antigua and Barbuda’s long-term national development. -
Applications open for Dominica Summer Institute 2027 IT instructors
Dominica’s Ministry of Education, Human Resource Planning, Vocational Training and National Excellence has officially launched a call for qualified local teachers to join the instructional team of the upcoming 2027 IT for Dominica Summer Institute, a targeted professional development and skills-building programme scheduled to take place from July 5 to 16, 2027. The initiative is being delivered in formal collaboration with seasoned educators from Canada’s Alberta Teachers’ Association, who will bring cross-border pedagogical expertise to the two-week immersive summer programme. The ministry is extending an open invitation to all local educators eager to contribute their subject-matter knowledge, classroom experience, and technical expertise to advance digital literacy and IT competency across the island’s education ecosystem. Eligible candidates are advised to review all posted application guidelines before completing their submission via the official dedicated online portal. All supporting information for applicants, including eligibility criteria, role expectations, and the direct submission form, is hosted at the public SurveyMonkey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ITfDApply2027. The programme marks a key step in strengthening Dominica’s national IT education capacity by pairing local teaching talent with international education best practices.
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Forty-two students honoured at Dominica’s inaugural National Schools’ Awards ceremony for academic excellence
Roseau, Dominica – A landmark milestone for Dominica’s education sector unfolded at Goodwill Parish Hall on Monday, as the Caribbean nation hosted its first ever National Schools’ Awards ceremony, celebrating 42 exceptional learners who posted exceptional academic results across the 2025-2026 school calendar. Presiding over the official gathering, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit extended personal, heartfelt congratulations to each of the honourees, emphasizing that their standout results were not products of luck, but the direct outcome of relentless effort, consistent discipline, and unwavering determination over the past academic year. “You have not only exceeded your own personal academic benchmarks, but you have filled your families, your school communities, and every citizen of Dominica with immense pride,” Skerrit told the gathered students, educators and family members in his keynote address. The Prime Minister was quick to frame the national recognition not as a final capstone to their educational journeys, but as a launching pad for future growth, urging the young achievers to continue pursuing higher learning, set ambitious long-term personal and professional goals, and leverage their cultivated skills to drive tangible, positive progress for Dominican society. Skerrit went on to outline the nation’s urgent need for homegrown talent across a diverse spectrum of sectors, ranging from scientific research, civil engineering, primary and secondary education, sustainable agriculture, small business entrepreneurship, public health, creative arts, and a wide range of skilled technical professions. He stressed that no matter which career path each student chooses to pursue, they should approach their work with full commitment, uncompromising personal integrity, and a core focus on public service to their communities. Acknowledging that every young person in Dominica possesses unique, distinct strengths and capabilities, Skerrit reaffirmed the national government’s core commitment to building an inclusive education system that ensures every single child, regardless of background, has equal access to the resources and support needed to identify, nurture, and maximize their natural abilities. He also publicly endorsed the Ministry of Education’s planned expansion of the awards framework to include formal recognition for excellence in visual and performing arts, alongside critical domains including modern foreign languages, agricultural education, community service, cultural preservation, pastoral student support, innovation, creative problem-solving, and campus safety. The Prime Minister noted that this expanded, holistic awards structure sends a clear, defining signal about the type of education system Dominica is working to build: one that prioritizes strong foundational academic literacy and numeracy, while also equipping young people to think critically, collaborate effectively with peers, solve real-world challenges, take pride in their local cultural heritage, and become active, constructive contributors to national life. The cohort of high-achieving students recognized during the historic ceremony also included the nation’s top performers in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, marking a formal national tribute to their exceptional regional exam results.
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Minerd extends preventive class suspension in areas under yellow alert
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – The Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Education, formally known as Minerd, has formally extended targeted preventive class suspensions for Wednesday, October 28, covering all educational institutions situated in high-risk vulnerable zones across provinces currently placed under yellow weather alert, as persistent rainfall driven by a lingering meteorological trough continues to sweep across multiple regions of the country. Education officials clarified that the suspension mandate does not apply on a nationwide scale, granting regional and local school district administrators the flexibility to extend temporary class shutdowns for any additional campuses where on-the-ground weather conditions present verifiable safety hazards for enrolled students, teaching personnel, and non-teaching administrative staff. As part of the official directive, all school leadership teams are required to activate full preventive safety protocols, and implement proactive protective steps to safeguard campus infrastructure, learning equipment, and critical educational resources from potential rain-related damage. Minerd additionally issued a public advisory urging all members of the national educational community, including parents, students, and school staff, to regularly track official public safety bulletins released by the country’s Emergency Operations Center (COE), and strictly follow all updated guidance issued by local education governing bodies to minimize weather-related risks. For ongoing updates on local Dominican news developments, readers may access full coverage via DominicanScope.
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Over 40 Antigua and Barbuda Students Graduate from Monroe University
On October 18, a vibrant, cross-border graduation ceremony unfolded at the Royalton St Lucia Resort & Spa in Gros Islet, marking a major academic milestone for more than 40 learners hailing from Antigua and Barbuda as part of Monroe University’s largest regional graduating cohort. The 2026 graduating class totaled 318 high-achieving students drawn from 10+ nations across the Caribbean, North America, Central America and West Africa, including the United States, Nicaragua and Nigeria. One standout Antiguan graduate, Anthony Dorsett, distinguished himself by earning summa cum laude top honors in the Computer Networks and Cybersecurity program, and was selected to bear Antigua and Barbuda’s national flag during the ceremony’s opening Parade of Flags, a moment of immense national pride for attendees from his home nation. The celebratory event drew a distinguished guest list, led by Monroe University President Marc Jerome, alongside senior university administrative leaders, hundreds of proud family members of graduates, and prominent regional public figures. Saint Lucia’s sitting Education Minister Kenson Casimir delivered an official congratulatory address, praising the graduates’ resilience through post-pandemic academic disruptions and emphasizing the critical role of homegrown and regional tertiary institutions in building the Caribbean’s skilled professional workforce. The event’s keynote address was delivered by highly respected Caribbean academic and public health specialist Dr. Damian Eisenghower Greaves, who challenged graduates to leverage their specialized training to solve pressing local challenges ranging from digital security gaps to public health system strengthening. Established in 1933, Monroe University’s Saint Lucia campus delivers a full suite of accredited undergraduate and graduate programs spanning business administration, healthcare services, criminal justice, hospitality management and information technology, positioning itself as a leading tertiary education provider focused on accessible, career-focused learning for students across the Caribbean basin.
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Union seeks talks on possible school relocation
At the recent Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) annual general meeting held at the union’s headquarters on Monday, executive leaders flagged urgent safety concerns at an undisclosed public school that has grappled with persistent, unresolved infrastructure deficiencies for years. While the union has opted not to publicly name the affected campus, which is earmarked for the national Skills for the Future education upgrade programme, BUT leadership emphasized that the cumulative scope of required repairs far outpaces the timeline for ongoing ministry remediation work, putting staff and students at risk of operating in a compromised learning environment for an extended period.
BUT General Secretary Gilbert Carmichael explained that the union is formally requesting targeted follow-up negotiations with the Ministry of Education to evaluate the feasibility of a temporary relocation arrangement for the school’s entire population during the full remediation phase. “We cannot responsibly keep educators and learners in a space that poses avoidable risks when repairs are projected to drag on for months,” Carmichael noted, adding that the union is currently awaiting an official response from ministry leadership on the proposal.
Leading the union’s occupational safety and health portfolio, BUT Vice President Julian Pierre shared that he conducted an on-site inspection of the unnamed campus roughly two weeks prior, and has been collecting first-hand feedback from the school’s teaching staff to document every outstanding issue, ranging from unaddressed daily operational disruptions to large-scale structural failures. Beyond the immediate crisis at the unidentified school, Pierre is advocating for the education ministry to implement a pre-vetted network of alternative temporary learning spaces across local communities in advance of future emergencies, including repurposed community centres, public pavilions, and local faith facilities that can accommodate full teaching and learning activities on short notice. This proactive pre-planning, he argued, would eliminate the logistical chaos of last-minute searches for suitable space, and streamline the process of moving classroom furniture, learning materials, and administrative supplies during unplanned disruptions.
Pierre also issued a broader systemic warning: ad-hoc remediation projects across all government school sites will deliver no long-term value if the Ministry of Education does not roll out a formal, scheduled, proactive preventative maintenance framework for all public education facilities. He pointed out that seemingly trivial unaddressed defects, such as a single cracked or missing windowpane, can quickly escalate into major public health hazards by enabling vermin infestations, mould growth, and water intrusion. The risk is particularly acute for Barbados’ older historic school buildings constructed with porous soft stone, a material that traps moisture and accelerates mould development when exposed to the island’s increasingly erratic weather patterns, including record high temperatures and unpredictable cycles of sudden heavy rainfall followed by extreme heat.
Notably, BUT leadership took pains to highlight significant recent progress in inter-agency collaboration, noting that the union’s working relationship with the current Ministry of Education administration is among the most cooperative it has seen in decades. Carmichael specifically praised the leadership of Education Technical Management Unit (ETMU) head Wayne Baker, who has overhauled the school maintenance workflow to move beyond the old model of only completing repairs during extended summer holidays: under the new system, minor urgent issues including plumbing failures, broken door locks, and faulty hardware are now routinely addressed after school hours, on weekends, and on short turnaround timelines, with some principal-reported issues logged on a Thursday evening already in the process of being resolved by the following Friday morning.
These improvements have been backed by a historic nearly $290 million education reform allocation announced by Education Minister Chad Blackman during the March national budget, a funding pool that covers all core education costs from personnel salaries and student support services to dedicated school maintenance budgets and classroom resource upgrades. The union also lauded the Ministry of Health for shifting to a proactive environmental health monitoring model for all public schools over the past 12 to 18 months, with routine, unprompted inspections from the Vector Control Unit and polyclinic-based health officers to check bathing facilities, test for stagnant water that breeds disease-carrying insects, and identify emerging health hazards before they escalate, rather than waiting for formal complaints from school staff to initiate assessments. -
Nearly 30 Dominicans among 318 graduates at Monroe University’s St Lucia commencement
On Monday, October 26, 2026, the auditorium of Royalton St. Lucia Resort & Spa in Gros Islet played host to Monroe University’s landmark annual commencement, a cross-border celebration that recognized 318 graduating students drawn from 16 nations across the Caribbean, North America and beyond. Nearly 30 of these honorees hailed from Dominica, marking a notable representation of the Eastern Caribbean island nation’s academic talent within the 2026 cohort.
The joyful, formal gathering drew a wide cross-section of stakeholders: graduating scholars from St. Lucia and neighboring Caribbean territories, the university’s leadership team, teaching faculty, proud family members of graduates, and a roster of high-profile invited dignitaries. Per an official university press release, Monroe University President Marc Jerome joined senior administrative colleagues to personally congratulate the graduating class on their hard-won academic milestones. Following the full formal proceedings, Jerome arranged a dedicated commemorative group photo session exclusively for the cohort of Dominican graduates to mark their collective achievement.
Dominican representation stood out during the ceremony’s opening procession, where Merissa Gabory, an Accounting graduate who earned the institution’s highest summa cum laude academic distinction, marched proudly bearing Dominica’s national flag. She was one of 16 student flag bearers representing every nation included in the diverse 2026 graduating cohort, which counted scholars from Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, the British Virgin Islands, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Nicaragua, Nigeria, St. Kitts and Nevis, Sint Maarten, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia, Dominica and the United States.
The ceremony’s formal proceedings were guided by a team of longstanding university community members: Professor Antonia Laurent-Goodman served as Grand Marshal leading the academic procession, while General Education faculty member Nathalie Jolie-Fanis took on the role of master of ceremonies. Linda Berthier delivered a stirring rendition of St. Lucia’s national anthem, and graduating student Rohan Bennett performed the national anthem of the United States, the country where Monroe University was first established.
Opening remarks welcoming the new cohort of alumni were delivered by President Marc Jerome and Senior Vice President Dr. Alex Ephrem, followed by an official congratulatory address from Kenson Casimir, St. Lucia’s Minister for Education, Youth Development, Sports and Digital Transformation, speaking on behalf of the island’s national government. The event’s keynote address was delivered by Dr. Damian Eisenghower Greaves, a respected Caribbean scholar and public health specialist whose multi-faceted career spans the fields of education, public sector governance, healthcare administration and regional cultural development.
Formal academic announcements were led by Dr. Ernest Ottley, Dean of Academics at the St. Lucia campus, who revealed the recipients of the year’s distinguished academic awards, before Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Jacinth Coultman formally presented the full graduating class for the official conferral of their degrees.
The event’s guest of honor list included prominent regional and international figures: St. Lucia Governor General Felix Finistere and his wife Lady Selma Finistere, Venezuelan Ambassador Lieff Escalona, Moroccan Deputy Head of Mission Dina Melehi, and Sir Arthur Lewis Community College Principal Dr. Winston Phulgence. Monsignor Patrick “Paba” Anthony opened the formal proceedings with an invocation.
Founded in New York in 1933, Monroe University has built its reputation on a core institutional mission of expanding accessible, affordable higher education that prioritizes tangible student career advancement. Its St. Lucia campus, situated along the Vide Boutielle Highway in Castries, delivers accredited undergraduate and graduate programs spanning business administration, accounting, healthcare studies, criminal justice, hospitality management and information technology. The university has also forged a formal partnership with the St. Lucian national government to deliver specialized hospitality industry training programs, designed to equip local residents with the practical skills required to secure stable, well-paying roles in the island’s thriving hotel, restaurant and cruise tourism sectors. -
UWI to honour Caribbean journalist Melvin Claxton and legal pioneer René Baptiste at 2026 Ggaduation
Scheduled for November 14, 2026, the University of the West Indies (UWI) Global Campus’ upcoming virtual graduation ceremony will bestow prestigious honorary degrees on two trailblazing Caribbean professionals whose decades of cross-sector contributions have advanced regional media, legal governance, cultural preservation, and public accountability. Under the 2026 event theme “Built to ADAPT. Ready to LEAD,” the fully streamed ceremony will kick off at 6 p.m. Eastern Caribbean Time, with live public access available via UWItv, Flow EVO, and the university’s official Facebook Live channel. The two honourees, Antiguan investigative journalist Melvin L. Claxton and Vincentian legal and public service stalwart René Baptiste, CMG, will be recognized for their lifelong commitment to uplifting marginalized and underrepresented communities across the Caribbean, as highlighted by UWI Global Campus Principal Dr Francis O. Severin. Claxton, who will receive an honorary Doctor of Letters (DLitt), boasts a 25-year career defined by relentless, high-stakes investigative reporting that has triggered systemic institutional reform. He holds the historic distinction of being the only Black journalist named in a Pulitzer Prize Gold Medal citation in the award’s 110-year history. His landmark 10-part 1994 series “V.I. Crime: Who’s to Blame?” for the Virgin Islands Daily News, produced amid repeated death threats, laid bare rampant failures in local law enforcement; the exposé directly led to the removal of senior public safety officials, criminal arrests of corrupt police officers, and the newspaper’s 1995 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service. Following that breakthrough, Claxton held senior investigative roles at major U.S. publications including the Chicago Tribune, The Detroit News, and The Tennessean, where his deep dives into systemic prison sexual abuse and thousands of unapprehended violent fugitives spurred formal legislative hearings, multi-million dollar public settlements, and the apprehension of more than 3,000 wanted individuals. In his later career, he transitioned to educational media entrepreneurship, founding Epic 4D LLC to build accessible learning platforms such as the Itty-Bitty Book App and interactive faith-based learning tool The Great Bible Race, and was named one of 20 global investigative journalism pioneers in 2025. René Baptiste, the recipient of the honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD), is a towering figure in St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ legal, political, and cultural spheres. First admitted to the bar in 1976, she founded her independent legal practice Baptiste & Co a decade later, and played a foundational role in building the country’s robust, regulated offshore financial services sector. In 2001, she made history as the first woman from the Vincentian Bar to win a seat in national Parliament. During her tenure as Minister of Tourism and Culture, she spearheaded the creation of long-standing national institutions including the National Cultural Foundation, the National Sound Archives, and the Carnival Development Corporation, and led the rebranding and expansion of the country’s annual carnival into the globally celebrated Vincy Mas festival, earning her the beloved regional nickname “Mama Culture.” Her public service track record also includes leading the 2009 national constitutional referendum process, receiving the prestigious CMG honour in 2011, and serving as the inaugural Speaker of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Assembly when it was established in 2012. UWI leadership has framed the dual honours as a deliberate tribute to Caribbean excellence that aligns with the institution’s longstanding mission to celebrate leaders who drive equitable, community-focused progress across the region.