Carib Scope

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  • New 50/50 assessment system to begin in 2026/2027 school year

    New 50/50 assessment system to begin in 2026/2027 school year

    Barbados’ Ministry of Education Transformation has announced a sweeping overhaul of the country’s primary-to-secondary school transition assessment system, confirming the long-discussed replacement of the traditional common entrance examination will launch in September 2026. The new framework introduces a balanced 50/50 evaluation model that spreads assessments across two final years of primary education, replacing the current system that relies entirely on a single high-stakes exit exam.

    Education Minister Chad Blackman shared the details of the phased transition during a press briefing at Deighton Griffith Secondary School, outlining which student cohorts will follow the old and new rules. Current second-year primary (Class Two) students will be the first group to complete the revised assessment when they move into Class Three next September. In contrast, the current crop of Class Three students will become the final cohort to sit the common entrance exam in its existing format in 2025.

    Under the reformed system rolling out for the 2026/2027 academic year, half of a student’s final transition score will come from work completed during Class Three, with the remaining 50 percent accumulated through assessments in Class Four. This replaces the current model that hinges on a single three-hour sitting testing English, mathematics and composition at the end of Class Four. Blackman explained the core motivation for the shift: the new structure is designed to give students broader opportunities to showcase their full range of abilities, rather than having their entire academic future determined by performance on a single high-pressure day.

    Chief Education Officer Dr. Ramona Archer-Bradshaw broke down the structure of the new evaluation model, confirming 50 percent of the total score will come from ongoing continuous classroom assessment, while the other half will be determined by standardized end-of-cycle testing. She emphasized that the shift to continuous assessment recognizes that students are multifaceted learners whose abilities cannot be accurately captured by a one-off exam. “They should not be judged by one examination, but they should be judged by what they know and what they can do over a period of time,” she noted, adding that in-class continuous assessment allows educators to accurately measure what students can achieve independently, addressing the common issue of over-parental support on take-home assignments that can inflate scores and mask gaps in learning.

    Despite the government’s framing of the reform as a student-centered improvement, the announcement has drawn mixed reactions from local parents, with some expressing immediate skepticism over the phased rollout. Karen Franklin, a parent waiting for her child at Deighton Griffith Secondary, argued that starting the new system mid-sequence rather than building it into the curriculum from the earliest primary years puts the first cohort at an unfair disadvantage. “To me, if you going to do that, you have to start from full circle not in the middle,” she said, calling for a multi-year delay to the implementation so that assessment can be built into student learning from Reception year.

    Another parent, Marisa Bynoe, said she is adopting a wait-and-see approach to the transition — noting that talks of replacing the common entrance exam have circulated for decades — but she remains concerned about persistent social stigma attached to school placement in Barbados. Bynoe pointed out that cultural norms prioritize admission to a small set of elite government secondary schools, leaving students placed at other institutions feeling marginalized, even when zoning plays a role in assignment. She also noted the widespread hidden cost of this elite school culture: many students enrolled at top-tier institutions end up taking after-school lessons at less prestigious schools to keep up with the curriculum, leaving families burdened with extra education expenses.

    Althea Gill, principal of St Bartholomew’s Primary School, pushed back on the cultural focus on elite school placement, emphasizing that the most critical outcome of the transition process is matching each student to a school that fits their unique needs. “Regardless of where your child ends up after this exam, he or she is in a good place,” she said. “I’ve realised that some schools will cater best to what your child is good at, wherever that child ends up is gonna be the best place for him or her.”

    In response to ongoing public questions and concerns about the reform, education officials announced that public town hall meetings are being planned to walk communities through the new model and address feedback. Full details of these engagement sessions are expected to be released to the public in the near future.

  • Bank Warns Customers About Surge in Phishing Scams

    Bank Warns Customers About Surge in Phishing Scams

    A leading financial institution has issued a pressing public alert to its customer base, warning account holders to steer clear of potential scammers and take immediate action if they encounter any suspicious activity linked to their accounts. In the official advisory released by the bank, security officials stressed that avoiding interaction with bad actors is the first critical step to preventing financial loss and unauthorized account access. Any individual who suspects they have already shared sensitive personal or financial details with unconfirmed third parties has been given clear guidance on how to proceed: they must reach out to the bank directly using the dedicated customer service phone number printed on the reverse side of their official ATM or debit card. This contact method ensures customers connect with verified bank representatives rather than potential scammers posing as bank staff, cutting down the risk of further exploitation. The bank’s dedicated Fraud Team is the central point of contact for all reports of suspicious activity, with analysts standing by to investigate claims, freeze compromised accounts if necessary, and help customers mitigate potential damage to their finances and credit standing. The advisory comes amid a steady rise in phishing scams, social engineering attacks, and fraudulent outreach targeting banking customers globally, as bad actors adapt new tactics to steal personal data and siphon funds from unsuspecting account holders. Bank security officials have reiterated that maintaining vigilance and reporting unusual activity quickly is the most effective defense against consumer financial fraud.

  • BUT reports orderly BSSEE administration

    BUT reports orderly BSSEE administration

    The Barbados Secondary Schools’ Entrance Examination (BSSEE), widely known as the Common Entrance or 11-Plus exam, was successfully carried out across the island nation on Tuesday, with zero major logistical failures or security breaches recorded at any testing site, according to the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT).

    In an interview with Barbados TODAY, conducted hours after thousands of eligible students sat the high-stakes assessment that determines secondary school placement, BUT General Secretary Gilbert Carmichael confirmed the union had not received a single negative report from testing centers around the country. Carmichael highlighted that despite the pressure surrounding this make-or-break academic milestone for young students, local educators handled the transition from pre-exam preparation to active testing with remarkable professionalism.

    Addressing widespread public concerns around student anxiety that typically dominates pre-exam discourse, Carmichael credited the decades of experience and steady temperament of the nation’s invigilating teaching staff for keeping testing environments calm and focused. He explained that veteran educators have honed specific strategies to ease nervous students the moment they enter examination halls, resulting in a low-anxiety atmosphere by the time papers are distributed. “Teachers, given the experience of doing this over a long period of are equipped with the skills to calm students and make sure that they are aware that this is a day where their best interests are at heart. They do everything to make sure that the students feel comfortable,” Carmichael stated.

    Carmichael added that the dominant mood among students after completing the exam was not stress or overwhelm, but a sense of accomplishment and relief. “What I’ll say is that there is a great sense of relief, I’m sure, among students who, following the guidance of their parents and the tutelage of their teachers, certainly gave their best during the examination this morning,” he said.

    The BUT head also addressed questions around accommodations for students with special learning needs, a critical component of inclusive testing policy. While he did not share an exact count of students requiring modified arrangements, Carmichael emphasized that established protocols for supporting these students functioned without a single glitch. The process for identifying, approving, and placing students requiring special accommodations is a well-structured system with clear deadlines that are strictly followed by both parents and educators, he explained, and no challenges were reported in providing an equitable testing environment that allowed these students to sit the exam alongside their peers.

    When asked about an unconfirmed report of a delayed start at The St Michael School testing center, Carmichael urged the public to take a balanced view of the incident, framing it as a minor hiccup in a massive nationwide logistical undertaking. He noted that the union planned to follow up with local union stewards at the site to identify the root cause of the delay, but stressed that even small hold-ups never put candidates at a disadvantage. Under standard exam protocols, any lost exam time due to late starts is fully compensated by extending the finish time for affected students, guaranteeing all participants get the full allotted time to complete their work. “The exam is a very fluid day,” Carmichael explained. “There are things that arise that sometimes are unforeseen, but students are not disadvantaged in any way. Any time that the exam starts late, that time is obviously given back to the students. The teachers from the secondary schools understand that, and they don’t have any challenges with making sure that these students are comfortable.”

    Closing out his formal assessment of the 2024 BSSEE, Carmichael extended the Barbados Union of Teachers’ formal commendation to all participating students, noting that the exam day marks the culmination of years of consistent hard work and academic discipline for young learners. “At this juncture, I would say that the Barbados Union of Teachers salutes all students today and encourages them to continue striving for excellence as they continue on their academic journey,” he said.

  • PM’s statement on the passing of journalist Linda Straker

    PM’s statement on the passing of journalist Linda Straker

    The Caribbean nation of Grenada is grieving the loss of one of its most respected media figures, veteran journalist Linda Straker, whose death was announced with deep sorrow by the country’s government.

    In an official statement released by the Office of the Prime Minister, Grenadian Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell paid tribute to Straker’s decades-long legacy as a trailblazer in the country’s media sector. Hailing her as a fearless reporter who formed the backbone of Grenada’s journalistic community, Mitchell highlighted that Straker leaves behind a durable body of work that showcases her sharp intellectual humor, unwavering commitment to sharing accurate information, and unyielding dedication to uncovering the truth. “Her distinctive voice, incisive questioning, and relentless passion for public storytelling will leave a void that will be deeply felt across the nation,” Mitchell added.

    Throughout her career, Straker built a reputation as a thorough and curious researcher, focused intently on both domestic Grenadian issues and broader regional affairs across the Caribbean. She never shied away from sharing her honest perspectives, or from posing challenging, penetrating questions to public officials during press conferences, government briefings, and open public forums, a practice that cemented her status as a watchdog for the Grenadian public.

    Straker’s far-reaching contributions to the advancement of journalism and open public discourse in Grenada will be honored and remembered for generations to come, per the official statement. On behalf of the entire Government and people of Grenada, Prime Minister Mitchell extended sincere condolences to Straker’s children, immediate family, close loved ones, and all members of the local and regional media community who worked alongside her.

    The statement closed with a final tribute: “May her soul rest in eternal peace.”

  • Fire damages Globe City Plaza

    Fire damages Globe City Plaza

    A large-scale fire broke out at the landmark Globe City Plaza commercial complex in Chase Village, Trinidad on Wednesday, triggering a multi-division emergency response from the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service (TTFS) that kept the blaze contained to one section of the site but left millions of dollars in estimated damage and disrupted dozens of local businesses.

    The fire ignited just after 9 a.m. local time, starting in a wholesale store located on the eastern side of the sprawling compound, which sits adjacent to the Connector Road highway near the Chase Village overpass. The alarm brought dozens of firefighters from across South and Central Trinidad to the scene, with a total of 35 personnel, five fire tenders, and a specialized Bronco Skylift aerial firefighting unit deployed to tackle the flames, acting Deputy Chief Fire Officer Ansar Ali told reporters.

    By midday, crews had successfully stopped the blaze from spreading to adjacent structures, including a foam factory at the rear of the complex and businesses on the western wing. Ali confirmed that the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) provided full support for firefighting operations, with no water supply shortages reported during the response; local media observed at least four truckloads of water delivered to the site within a three-hour window.

    Even after containing the spread, Ali noted that crews would need several additional hours to fully extinguish the fire, as collapsed roofing left smoldering hot spots trapped under debris. Fire teams worked through the afternoon to clear rubble and douse remaining embers. As of Wednesday evening, no fatalities had been reported, though a full sweep of the damaged area was still underway to confirm no one was unaccounted for.

    A preliminary cause of the fire has not yet been determined, with the investigation assigned to the Central Division’s Fire Prevention Investigation team. The full cost of damage is also still being assessed, though Ali gave an early estimated building value of $4 million, with the total value of inventory and commercial contents still unknown.

    The multi-business complex, founded by local businessman RS Jaglal, hosts at least 15 separate commercial operations ranging from retail stores, a hardware outlet, and food service spots to medical clinics, a dental practice, a spa, photo studio, pet supply store, and security firm. A front strip also houses dozens of independent food vendors.

    While two-thirds of the complex was saved thanks to the TTFS response, the incident still disrupted operations across the entire site. One tenant, who requested anonymity, confirmed all power to the plaza was cut immediately after the blaze, leaving all unaffected businesses closed indefinitely with no clear timeline for service restoration. Seven businesses in the fire’s eastern path were confirmed destroyed.

    For some vendors, however, the outcome was far better than expected. The owner of JoJo Gyro, a front-lot food cart, told reporters he was alerted to the fire just 30 minutes after it broke out and rushed to the site, only to find his business completely unharmed. He praised the TTFS for its rapid, effective response, noting crews arrived on scene within an hour of the blaze starting. Local resident Nicholas Britto, who saw thick plumes of smoke rising from his nearby home in Carlsen Field, confirmed the intensity of the fire, saying large flames were visible above the complex as crews worked to bring them under control.

    The heavy smoke from the blaze also triggered major traffic disruptions across the area, prompting authorities to close the Chase Village overpass temporarily. Backups stretched along both northbound and southbound highway lanes as emergency vehicles and onlookers converged on the site. The Ministry of Works and Infrastructure issued an advisory urging motorists to use alternative routes between the overpass and Southern Main Road near Thompson Road for the duration of emergency operations.

    Jearlean John, Member of Parliament for Couva North and the country’s Works Minister, visited the scene Wednesday and expressed deep sorrow for the business owners affected. “I am told that seven businesses were destroyed this morning, which means the loss of property, income, and jobs. It is extremely sad when people sacrifice for their families, for their dreams to lose it all in this terrible and unfortunate event,” John said, adding that she planned to meet with affected workers and business owners to offer support. John noted that senior TTFS leaders commended responding firefighters for their commitment, courage, and dedication, highlighting that their fast action saved roughly two-thirds of the entire complex from damage. Complex owners declined to comment to reporters while emergency operations were ongoing.

  • Highway Attack Leaves Hubert Baptist and Eric Fraser Hospitalized

    Highway Attack Leaves Hubert Baptist and Eric Fraser Hospitalized

    On the afternoon of May 5, 2026, a targeted, broad-daylight shooting on Belize’s Northern Highway left the local community stunned, after attackers ambushed a moving vehicle carrying two men, Hubert Baptist and Eric Fraser, sending their car crashing into a roadside drain. Both victims have been transported to the country’s main public medical facility, Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, for urgent care, while law enforcement officials have launched a full investigation to unpack the motives and details of the brazen attack.

    The incident unfolded just after 3 p.m. in the immediate vicinity of the Haulover Bridge, where first responders pulled Baptist from the overturned wreckage. Investigators processing the crime scene found more than a dozen spent bullet casings scattered across the asphalt of the highway, mere feet from where the vehicle came to rest in the drain. Visible damage to the red SUV targeted in the attack includes multiple bullet holes piercing the front windshield and the driver-side door, confirming the intensity of the gunfire.

    Both Baptist and Fraser are well-known documented gang members who have been featured in local news coverage on multiple occasions over the past several years. Baptist’s history of run-ins with violence and the justice system stretches back years: in 2022, a police raid on the Baptist family home left both Hubert and his brother Earl wounded by non-lethal gunfire, requiring immediate medical treatment for their injuries. More recently, in 2025, Baptist spoke publicly with News Five about his experience of wrongful detention during the 2020 national state of emergency. He was one of 16 men who were ultimately awarded financial compensation for the wrongful detention, and at the time, he openly shared his deep frustration with what he described as a broken legal system that had failed him and other marginalized community members.

    Witness accounts of the attack outline a clear, premeditated ambush: another SUV pulled alongside the victims’ moving vehicle on the busy highway, and an unidentified gunman leaned out of the vehicle to open fire directly at Baptist and Fraser. Law enforcement agencies have not yet released any updates on potential suspects or motives for the shooting, confirming only that the investigation remains active and ongoing. This report comes from News Five correspondent Zenida Lanza.

  • Nehru Geban Tried to Save a Child, Then Police Locked Him Up

    Nehru Geban Tried to Save a Child, Then Police Locked Him Up

    A Belize City father who stepped forward to protect a child he believed was in imminent danger is now behind bars, raising urgent questions about the risks ordinary citizens face when choosing to act compassionately. The case of Nehru Geban has cast a spotlight on the unexpected consequences of doing good, as the father of three says his split-second decision to answer a child’s cries for help ended with his own arrest, which his legal team calls entirely unlawful.

    Geban shared his account of the incident, explaining that he was moved to act when he heard unusual, distressing screams coming from his neighbor’s home. As a parent himself, he said he could not ignore what sounded like a child in peril. When he went to check on the youngster, the child’s mother reacted with immediate hostility, launching into verbal abuse against him. What followed, however, was a far more alarming escalation that unfolded days later.

    On May 3, Geban was resting at home with his three young sons when two unknown men arrived at his door asking for him by name. One of the men, the child’s father, immediately attacked Geban, accusing him of disrespecting his wife and meddling in his family’s affairs. A physical scuffle broke out as Geban acted to defend himself against the unprovoked assault. Geban noted that his decision to intervene was also shaped by recent news of police violence against a child, which reinforced his belief that citizens have a moral and legal right to step in when a minor’s safety is at risk.

    When law enforcement arrived at the scene, Geban told officers he did not accept that he had committed any crime by protecting the child. According to Geban, police then pressured him to drop his legal claims against the two men who attacked him in his own home. When he refused to back down, citing ongoing fear for his safety, he was taken into custody instead.

    His attorney, Norman Rodriquez, has questioned the logic and legality of the arrest, pointing out that officers found two men aggressing against Geban at his residence when they arrived. Rodriquez emphasized that Geban only acted because the child was in obvious need of intervention, and that the attack on him at his home was the unwarranted escalation of the situation. Rodriquez says there is no justifiable basis for the criminal charges against his client.

    Now, Geban is pushing to clear his name and secure accountability from law enforcement. He and his legal team are reviewing all available legal options to file a lawsuit against the Belize Police Department, seeking compensation for wrongful detention and damages for the violation of his rights. The case has left Geban with a troubling question that resonates far beyond Belize City: If a regular citizen chooses to do the right thing and intervene to protect a child in danger, who will protect that citizen from unjust legal consequences?

  • Nightclub Clash Lands ‘Horse’ Garnett Before Court

    Nightclub Clash Lands ‘Horse’ Garnett Before Court

    A local 44-year-old man is speaking out after a violent weekend altercation outside a popular nightclub that has resulted in criminal charges against him and a forthcoming formal complaint against responding law enforcement. Jermaine Garnett, widely known by his nickname ‘Horse’, is now recovering at his home following the May 2 incident at Shisha’s Night Club that quickly spiraled into conflict.

    Following the confrontation, authorities have charged Garnett with two counts of aggravated assault against on-duty police officers. He made his first court appearance shortly after the incident, entered a formal not guilty plea to all charges, and was released after posting the $4,000 bail set by the judge.

    Garnett’s account of the events contradicts the official narrative laid out in the criminal charges. He maintains that he complied fully with police instructions to exit the nightclub, and that the conflict only erupted once the group moved outside the venue. In his account, officers were the aggressors, using excessive physical force that left him with injuries. He claims he was pushed during the encounter, resulting in the harm he is now recovering from.

    To back up his version of events, Garnett is calling on law enforcement agencies to publicly release full surveillance footage from the area surrounding the nightclub, which he insists will corroborate his claims of excessive force. Moving forward, he has confirmed plans to file an official complaint with the Professional Standards Branch, the independent body tasked with investigating misconduct allegations against police officers.

  • Three People Missing, Vanished Without a Trace in Cayo

    Three People Missing, Vanished Without a Trace in Cayo

    Authorities in Belize are engaged in a time-sensitive search operation for three missing individuals who have not been heard from or seen for more than a month in the Cayo District. The missing people have been identified as Kenia Chan, 15-year-old Ezekiel Montejo, and six-year-old Dorian Montejo. Their last confirmed location was Las Flores Village, a small community located close to Belmopan, the nation’s capital, with the last confirmed sighting recorded back in late March.

    Investigators working on the case have outlined the active missing timeline as running from March 31 through at least April 27, and public concern over the three’s fate has grown steadily as each day passes without new leads. Law enforcement officials are issuing a public appeal for assistance from anyone who may have any information related to the disappearance, even details that seem minor or insignificant.

    Investigators emphasize that even an unremarkable sighting or a passing comment someone may have overheard could prove to be the critical breakthrough that helps locate the three missing people. Members of the public who hold information are able to submit it anonymously through multiple channels: they can call Crime Stoppers’ dedicated tip line at 922, submit information through the official P3 Tips mobile application, or reach out directly to the closest local police station to share what they know.

    This report is a transcript of an evening television broadcast, with all Kriol language dialogue transcribed using a standardized spelling system for accessibility.

  • Deceased Dangriga Man Identified in Ongoing Investigation

    Deceased Dangriga Man Identified in Ongoing Investigation

    In the latest update to an ongoing death probe launched late last week, Belizean law enforcement has officially confirmed the identity of a man previously only documented as John Doe. The deceased individual has been named as 53-year-old Eldon Edward Solomon, a local laborer who resided in Dangriga Town, Stann Creek District. The critical breakthrough in the case came after a member of Solomon’s family contacted investigators to formally identify his remains, closing one of the most prominent open questions that has surrounded the probe since it began.

    While the identification marks a major milestone for investigators, the full circumstances surrounding Solomon’s death remain unconfirmed, and the official inquiry is still active and progressing. Local news outlets will continue monitoring developments in the case and publish new updates as additional details are made public by law enforcement authorities.

    This report is adapted from a transcript of an evening television newscast, which notes that all Kriol language dialogue included in the original broadcast was transcribed using a standardized spelling system for accuracy.