A fatal road traffic collision between a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle has left one person dead, with witnesses claiming the victim survived the initial impact but lost their life before emergency medical crews could arrive at the crash site. The deadly incident unfolded on the afternoon of May 5, 2026, at the intersection connecting San Juan and Cow Pen Village. Multiple bystanders who were present at the scene immediately after the crash confirmed that the motorcyclist, identified only as the victim, showed clear signs of life in the minutes right after the two vehicles collided. Unfortunately, emergency response teams did not reach the isolated junction in time to intervene, and the victim was pronounced dead before medical care could be administered. As of this evening’s official update, law enforcement authorities have not made any public announcement regarding the identity of the deceased. Investigators are still in the early stages of probing the collision, and no official confirmation has been issued on what factors led to the crash, including whether speeding, impaired driving, poor road conditions, or driver error played a role. This report is adapted from a transcribed evening television newscast, which originally included translated commentary from Kriol-language speakers formatted with a standardized spelling system for public distribution. As the investigation continues, local authorities are expected to release further updates once they have completed their preliminary on-site analysis and witness interviews.
分类： society
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When the Rain Won’t Come, Who Helps Farmers?
As Belize prepares for an unusually severe dry season forecast to bring well below average rainfall between June and August 2026, the Caribbean nation has rolled out its first proactive drought relief program – though gaps in coverage have left many small-scale producers grappling with uncertainty over their livelihoods and family stability.
The new “Anticipatory Action” initiative, a collaborative effort between Belize’s Ministry of Agriculture, the National Meteorological Service, and the World Food Program, aims to pre-emptively support vulnerable farmers before drought destroys their crops. Just weeks after the program was triggered by the grim rainfall forecast, 419 preselected farmers across the northern and western districts of Cayo, Orange Walk, and Corozal are set to receive one-time, no-strings-attached grants of 400 Belize dollars each, disbursed via Western Union. Unlike many government relief schemes, no repayment is required, and no spending receipts need to be submitted.
Andrew Mejia, Director of Extension at the Ministry of Agriculture, explained that the flexible funding is designed to let farmers address their most urgent drought preparedness needs. “They can buy whatever they need – drought-resistant seeds, fertilizers, small irrigation equipment,” Mejia said in an interview. “It’s not a large sum of money, but it will make a meaningful difference for Belize’s small farming operations. While we don’t require receipts for spending, our ministry will conduct follow-up check-ins to understand how the funds were used and whether the support helped farmers weather the coming drought.”
To qualify for the aid, farmers must be registered in the national Belize Agriculture Information Management System, operate plots between half an acre and three acres, and reside in one of the three targeted districts. Even with these clear eligibility rules, many small producers across the country have been excluded from the first round of support, leaving them to cope with soaring input costs and dry conditions on their own.
Abner Cienfuegos, a small farmer who has received support from a separate government program in the past, told reporters that the current dry conditions have already taken a heavy toll on his crops. Increased watering to keep plants alive has pushed up his gas costs dramatically, at a time when global fuel prices are already at record highs. Even as production costs surge, Cienfuegos said he cannot raise produce prices at local markets, where shoppers demand the lowest possible rates.
What has kept Cienfuegos going through the dry spell without access to the new anticipatory aid is the mentorship of Alberto Villanueva, a 40-year veteran of farming in Belize. Villanueva, however, says he has not received any government cash assistance recently, even though he qualifies for support in principle. The veteran farmer emphasized that the need for aid is acute: during drought years, production drops sharply, so extra cash is critical to covering household bills and keeping operations afloat. “It would always be helpful for our family to maintain our bills and everything,” Villanueva said. “Yes, we do need the cash.”
For other farmers, the barrier to aid is simply lack of awareness of the program. Alex Spice, a small producer in Lower Barton Creek, pays official monthly farm taxes and is registered with the government, but had never heard of the Anticipatory Action plan. Spice, who says he prefers to earn his living through his own work rather than seeking government support, supplements his farm income by importing produce from Mexico during lean dry seasons – a safety net that many of his neighbors do not have.
“I’m really not familiar with all these programs,” Spice explained. “I try to make my life with my hands, and I don’t go around asking for support. I don’t even know if I’m eligible for any of these programs.”
Other farmers report repeatedly being locked out of government support, even when they meet eligibility requirements. A Stann Creek district farmer told News Five that he has missed out on multiple relief programs over the years, while many others struggle to complete the registration and outreach steps required to access available funds. The Ministry of Agriculture advises unregistered farmers to sign up for the national information system and contact a local extension officer to access future support, but for farmers already juggling drought stress and rising costs, completing those steps is far from straightforward.
As the dry season approaches, the gap between limited government aid and widespread need has left many of Belize’s small farming communities wondering whether they will be able to keep their operations running and support their families through the coming months. While the new anticipatory program marks a milestone in proactive disaster response in the Caribbean, many producers are still waiting for the support they say they desperately need.
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Restorative Justice: Not Just Time Served, But Lives Changed
On May 5, 2026, a groundbreaking shift in Belize’s approach to criminal justice moved into the public spotlight at a joint symposium hosted by the University of Belize and the Leadership Intervention Unit. Unlike traditional correctional frameworks that prioritize punishment over reform, the event centered restorative justice—a model that reframes the justice system around accountability, victim healing, and second chances for justice-involved individuals. While policy experts and criminal justice leaders debated the future of the approach, the most resonant moment of the day came from a deeply personal firsthand account of life transformation after incarceration.
That story belongs to Lane Grinage, a reform advocate who once served time in a Belizean prison for a criminal conviction that altered the course of his life. When Grinage first entered the correctional system, he confronted the reality of the wrong turn he had taken—and found a new path through the Ashcroft Rehabilitation Center (ARC) program, a restorative justice initiative that teaches participants critical social and life skills to prepare them for reentry into society. For Grinage, the loss of freedom that came with his sentence also brought an unflinching moment of reckoning that pushed him to engage with restorative justice practices. Instead of only completing a court-ordered term, he was guided to confront the real human harm his actions had caused to victims and communities, laying the groundwork for long-term personal change.
Today, Grinage is out of prison and working to support other formerly incarcerated people as they rebuild their lives, but he openly acknowledges that the road to full societal reintegration has been far from easy. The persistent stigma of being labeled an ex-convict continues to create barriers, from employment discrimination to social exclusion that tests his commitment to reform. When asked whether bias against former inmates persists among employers and the broader business community, Grinage confirmed that discrimination remains widespread. Still, he maintains a pragmatic, determined outlook: consistent productivity and personal discipline will eventually open doors for those committed to turning their lives around.
During a discussion at the symposium, Grinage raised concerns about a persistent imbalance in Belize’s correctional system, noting that many facilities still prioritize harsh industrial discipline over meaningful rehabilitation. Nasir Acosta, director of Wagners Youth Facility, responded by affirming that this gap is exactly what restorative justice is designed to fill. Acosta explained that the core work of restorative programs lies in rebuilding the individual sense of self-worth that is often stripped away by the correctional system. Through these initiatives, participants learn to see themselves beyond the label of “offender” or “perpetrator,” developing the internal tools they need to sustain long-term change after reentry.
For criminal justice and criminology students at the University of Belize who attended the event, Grinage’s story offered a tangible, human perspective that cannot be learned from textbooks. Shaheed Mai, one of the participating students, noted that the account brought the theory of justice reform to life, highlighting that real change is possible when people have the drive to improve and access to supportive programming. The symposium closed with a reminder that justice is not only about holding people accountable for harm—it is also about creating space for transformation, one honest conversation and one second chance at a time. This report was prepared by Shane Williams for News Five.
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UB Reviews Wagner Facility’s Restorative Justice Program
In a landmark development for Belize’s juvenile justice reform efforts, criminal justice students from the University of Belize (UB) presented new, on-the-ground research at a national restorative justice symposium on May 5, 2026, offering a data-backed assessment of the Wagner Youth Facility’s flagship restorative justice programming for young male offenders.
The student-led case study, focused exclusively on one of the country’s primary youth detention centers, delivers a nuanced picture of progress alongside unaddressed gaps, turning academic inquiry into a actionable plan for systemic improvement. Lead researcher Shaheed Mai explained that the project, conducted alongside two fellow UB classmates, centered on evaluating whether the facility’s rehabilitative model is successfully breaking the cycle of recidivism for young male detainees.
“Our analysis confirms that the core restorative justice framework at Wagner’s is working,” Mai told attendees, noting that the facility has made tangible strides moving away from traditional punitive models toward a rehabilitation-centered approach. Still, the team uncovered critical unmet needs that are limiting long-term outcomes for detainees. Major gaps identified include insufficient access to vocational training, limited pathways to higher education, and ongoing stigma that leaves young people framed primarily as inmates rather than individuals working toward reinvention.
Mai shared that many detainees currently housed at the facility expressed a strong personal desire to build skills, repair harm done to their communities, and contribute productively after their release — outcomes that are out of reach for many without expanded support systems.
Wagner Youth Facility Director Nasir Acosta welcomed the independent student assessment, echoing the team’s focus on centering holistic rehabilitation to cut down on repeat offenses. Acosta emphasized that therapeutic work to help young offenders process their emotions and understand their actions is a foundational first step to lasting change. “Before a young person can find the internal motivation to make amends to society, they first need to understand themselves,” Acosta explained. “Many arrive here without a clear grasp of their own emotions, how they ended up in detention, or how they can navigate the world after release. That is why therapeutic work comes first — it helps them acknowledge where they went wrong, build self-awareness, and prepare to find their place and do better moving forward.”
The collaborative effort marks a rare example of student research directly shaping public sector reform, with the study’s recommendations set to serve as a roadmap for updating programming at one of Belize’s leading youth detention facilities. This report is adapted from a televised evening news transcript, with Kriol-language remarks standardized for clarity in written transcription.
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Heart Over Hardware: Raheem Nu’Man Proves Greatness Has Many Arenas
Ten-year-old Raheem Nu’Man has built his young life around two very different, equally demanding passions, proving that ambition does not have to fit into a single box. For years, he has nurtured two big dreams: one on the soccer pitch, where he trains to become a professional player inspired by global icon Cristiano Ronaldo, and another in the classroom, where he has long chased a spot at the top of the regional Anglican Schools Spelling Bee Competition. That long-held dream became reality in 2025, when Raheem walked away from the competition with the first-place title, capping off months of disciplined daily study.
In May 2026, Raheem returned to the same competition venue at the invitation of organizers, but this time, he took on a new role: supporter and mentor for the new cohort of young spellers. Accompanied by his father Saleem Nu’Man, the 2025 champion spent the day encouraging competitors, sharing his own experience of the challenge and reward of the competition. For Raheem, the greatest value of the spelling bee extends far beyond the trophy. “The benefit of it is that you get to learn new and challenging words and helps you to know better words,” he explained of what the competition has given him.
What has stood out most to those around Raheem is not just his work ethic or his competitive success, but his uncommon empathy and character. Following his 2025 victory, Saleem Nu’Man recalled being genuinely surprised by his son’s immediate reaction. “Honestly he told me that he felt bad for the ones that did not win, that really caught me off guard. He felt bad winning, being the champion, the level of empathy,” the elder Nu’Man shared.
That empathy comes from Raheem’s own intimate understanding of how much work goes into competing. He recalled the rigor of his preparation for the 2025 event: “For me I personally studied every few days, for an hour or two, studying one hundred words every day. The most challenging part about studying is that everyday after school it was stressful and you have to do it everyday and it was just very nerve wrecking.” His years of preparation were no accident; spelling bee glory was a goal he nurtured from his earliest years in primary school. “It has been a dream of him from infant one, infant two, he always wanted to go into spelling bee. So, going through the years when he told me he was entering I was not surprised,” his father added.
For Jeremy Cayetano, General Manager of Anglican Primary Schools, events like this spelling bee fill a critical gap in modern childhood education. “We know it is important for children to know how to spell especially in this time in 2026 where text language is very prevalent,” Cayetano explained, noting that the competition aims to foster a love of language and mastery of core skills that will serve students for life.
With his spelling bee title secured, Raheem now turns his attention to the next set of goals he has set for his future. He plans to continue pursuing his two passions long into adulthood: “Well, me personally I would like to be a football player and a police officer. I like the law and sports,” he shared.
In the 2026 competition, Jair Gordon of Saint Andrews Anglican in the Cayo District took home the first place title, carrying on the legacy of excellence that Raheem helped establish a year prior. For Raheem, though, his experience has already taught him a lesson far more valuable than any trophy: success is not only about winning, but about the heart you bring to every challenge, and the kindness you show to others along the way.
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Students toast end of 11-Plus exams with afternoon of relaxation
After weeks of focused preparation and high-stakes testing, primary school students across Barbados kicked off their post-exam celebrations on Tuesday, trading textbooks and study guides for pool splashes, group games and shared meals at two specially organized venues across the island.
The first major celebration hub was Savannah Beach Hotel, where three local schools – Charles F. Broome Memorial Primary, Eden Lodge Primary and The Rock Christian School – gathered for a full day of low-pressure fun designed to help young learners decompress after hitting one of the biggest academic milestones of their primary education. The hotel pulled out all the stops for the annual tradition, providing students with a catered lunch, bottomless non-alcoholic drinks, organized group activities, and full access to the property’s dedicated Kids Club and swimming pool.
Kerri Phillips, Kids Club Manager at Savannah Beach Hotel, explained that the post-11-Plus outing has grown into a beloved yearly ritual for both the hotel and local school communities. “This is something we do every year for the kids. The parents pay a small participation fee, and we cover all amenities and food for the day,” Phillips shared in an interview, adding that while the hotel schedules structured games for later in the afternoon, the pool has remained the unrivaled star attraction year after year. “Once they’re in the pool, that’s it. They enjoy it,” she said with a laugh.
Beyond giving students a well-earned break, the event has also served as a positive introduction for local families to the hotel’s full range of family-focused services, from children’s birthday parties to other group recreational experiences. Phillips noted that feedback from participating schools and parent groups has always been overwhelmingly enthusiastic, with many marking the outing on their calendars years in advance. “The response is always beautiful,” she said.
Across the island at Buzo Osteria Italiana, a popular Hastings eatery, another group of students from Charles F. Broome Primary, Wilkie Cumberbatch Primary and Luther Thorne Primary marked the occasion with a special celebratory lunch, while students from All Saints Primary erupted into cheers and impromptu dance parties on the grounds of The Coleridge and Parry School immediately after turning in their final exam papers. Multiple local media outlets captured candid images of the joyous day, showing groups of students posing with their teachers, preparing to dig into their meals, and celebrating with their classmates after months of hard work.
The 11-Plus examination is a landmark assessment for Barbadian primary school students, marking the end of their primary education and determining placement for secondary schooling, making post-exam celebrations a long-held cultural tradition for school communities across the country.
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Education chief defends teachers amid extra lessons criticism
As anxiety over widespread private tutoring ahead of Barbados’ high-stakes 11-Plus entrance examination continues to build, the island nation’s top education official has pushed back against widespread criticism that classroom teachers lack commitment, instead laying the blame for over-reliance on extra tutoring on parental pressure for access to elite public schools.
Dr. Ramona Archer-Bradshaw, Barbados’ Chief Education Officer, delivered a robust defense of the country’s teaching workforce in comments to reporters this week, rejecting the broad claim that most educators are underperforming in their core roles. She argued that sweeping criticism of the profession is unfair and inaccurate, noting that the vast majority of Barbadian educators go far beyond their contractual obligations to support student success, particularly ahead of the high-stakes 11-Plus exam that determines secondary school placement.
“What I do know is that because some parents place a premium on certain schools in Barbados, they go all out to make sure that their children can have access to certain schools, and that is the reason why some of our parents will seek lessons for their children,” Archer-Bradshaw said. “I will not stand here and say that all of our teachers across the system are not teaching as they should. That would be very disingenuous of me.”
The education chief emphasized that the island’s teaching community consistently demonstrates extraordinary dedication to their students. “I can tell you that the teachers across Barbados generally give 110 per cent. They’re committed to the children of Barbados,” she said. Beyond delivering required academic content, Archer-Bradshaw noted that many teachers prioritize building critical life skills and positive social attitudes in young learners, devoting uncompensated extra time to reinforce concepts before the 11-Plus. Teachers across all primary grade levels – from Classes One through Four – often volunteer extra hours on weekends and during the Easter vacation to help students consolidate their knowledge, she added.
Archer-Bradshaw did not shy away from acknowledging performance gaps within the teaching workforce, however. She confirmed that a small share of teachers do not currently operate at their full potential, but stressed that most underperformance stems from a lack of targeted support rather than intentional neglect of duties. To address this gap, the ministry already deploys a team of education officers, master teachers, and instructional coaches to work directly with underperforming educators in schools, helping them build their skills and reach their full potential for the benefit of students.
Looking ahead, the ministry is moving forward with sweeping education transformation initiatives designed to elevate the island’s education system to global top rankings within six years. A key pillar of this agenda is a new national quality assurance framework, expected to launch within the next 12 to 24 months, which will establish clear, standardized benchmarks for effective teaching, school leadership, and high-performing school institutions. “When this quality assurance framework comes into play… this will indeed help us to move on to the trajectory of being the number one education system in the world,” Archer-Bradshaw said.
Another controversial reform currently moving forward is mandatory teacher licensing, a policy Archer-Bradshaw defended as a global standard for professional accountability and continuous improvement. She argued that licensing ensures all educators maintain up-to-date, cutting-edge teaching practices, a non-negotiable requirement if the country is to hit its goal of becoming a global leader in education.
Recognizing ongoing pushback from teaching unions, Archer-Bradshaw confirmed the administration remains committed to open, constructive dialogue with the Barbados Union of Teachers and other relevant labor groups. “We have regular meetings with the Barbados Union of Teachers as well as other unions. Of course, I will wait until we have that meeting and we will have a robust discussion as to the benefits of licensing, the disadvantages, and see where we can meet each other halfway or whole way,” she said.
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Calm before challenge as pupils sit 11-plus exam
On a bright Tuesday morning, hundreds of young test-takers across Barbados stepped through the gates of examination centers, carrying a unique blend of jittery nerves and quiet determination to tackle one of the most high-stakes milestones of their early academic careers: the Barbados Secondary School Entrance Examination (BSSEE), more widely known locally as the common entrance exam.
At one key testing site, Frederick Smith Secondary School located in the parish of St James, 124 pupils drawn from four local primary schools – St Silas Primary, St Albans Primary, Good Shepherd Primary and St James Primary – gathered alongside their families ahead of the opening bell. What stood out most among the gathered parents was a widespread, deliberate shift in priorities: for the vast majority, supporting their child’s emotional wellbeing took clear precedence over chasing a top exam score.
For Alinka Simon and her 11-year-old son Ronaldo, a student from St Albans Primary, the morning unfolded with the quiet rhythm of a normal school day. Simon remained steady and unflappable as she waited with her son, emphasizing that she had placed no extreme performance pressure on him. “He was calm and he was just ready for whatever comes,” Simon shared. “I don’t have any expectations. Whatever he does, that’s it.” For his part, Ronaldo was open about the weight of the moment, admitting a small dose of pre-test anxiety. “I’m feeling a little bit nervous. Last night, I was just trying to sleep… just trying to get the adequate sleep I needed,” he explained.
Claire Gittens, a Year 6 student from St Silas Primary, described her lead-up to the exam as an emotional rollercoaster. Speaking to reporters from Barbados TODAY, she recalled, “Yesterday I was almost going to cry, but I went by my auntie and I cooled off. I’m feeling nervous this morning.” Her mother Gina was quick to reinforce her message of unconditional support, saying, “Whatever she does is good with me, but you know she is going to do well.”
Consistent, low-pressure preparation was the approach taken by many parents of students from Good Shepherd Primary. Iyoka Lewis, mother of candidate Ariel Daniel, explained that she had supported her daughter’s study routine steadily in the lead-up to test day, but shared the same no-expectation mindset as other parents. “I went over her lessons about five days a week,” Lewis said. “Honestly, I really don’t have any expectations. I just want her to go in there and give her best. Whatever she does is well done.” Like many of her peers, Ariel described her pre-exam mood simply as “anxious.” For fellow candidate Rynisha Gilkes, the plan was to push past her fear and give the test her all. “I’m feeling kind of nervous and I’m scared to do the exam, but I’m going to go in there and try my best,” Gilkes said.
Beyond the support from parents, waiting teachers also played a key role in calming students’ nerves on the morning of the exam. Standing proudly with her group of students from St James Primary, educator Katrina Beresford projected a calm confidence that she hoped would settle her students’ nerves ahead of the test. “I feel calm and confident they will do their best,” Beresford said. “A lot of work went into preparing for today. They worked hard, they’re dedicated, they’re committed, and I believe that they will come out even better than I even expect.”
As the morning bell rang across the testing center, students slowly filed into their assigned classrooms to begin the exam. Outside the gates, parents lingered, some in quiet prayer for their children, others engaging in soft conversation with fellow parents, all waiting patiently for their children to complete this defining early academic milestone. Images captured ahead of the bell captured the outpouring of support across the site: a jubilant group of Good Shepherd Primary students laughing together ahead of their test, a candidate pulled into a warm, reassuring embrace from her mother, a teacher offering words of encouragement to a nervous pupil, and one student securing goodbye hugs from both parents before stepping into the testing hall.
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Residents, PTA condemn brazen attack near children, urge crackdown
On a Tuesday morning, as parents dropped off their children for classes and primary school students across the island sat for high-stakes common entrance examinations, a brazen act of violence unfolded just meters from Eden Lodge Nursery School on Sorrel Lane, sending shockwaves through the tight-knit Barbadian community. The incident, which unfolded around 8:25 a.m., saw a lone gunman approach an intended target and open fire with multiple rounds. Remarkably, the man targeted in the attack managed to flee the gunfire unharmed, and no children or bystanders were injured or killed in the shooting. Still, the proximity of the violence to a campus full of young children, timed exactly at the start of the school day, has triggered widespread panic among parents and deep anger across a neighborhood already stretched thin by a recent surge in violent crime.
Local law enforcement at Barbados’ District ‘A’ Police Station immediately launched a full investigation into the attack, cordoning off the shooting scene to process evidence. Photos from the scene captured a damaged vehicle left by the gunfire and anxious parents gathering outside the school to retrieve their children, images that have underscored the disruption to the community’s daily routine.
For long-time residents of Eden Lodge, the shooting represents a painful break from the area’s decades-long reputation as a quiet, family-friendly neighborhood. Many expressed utter disbelief that such a reckless act could be carried out so close to vulnerable young children. One distraught grandmother, whose grandson attends the nursery’s Year Two class, spoke for many in the community when she condemned the shooters’ blatant disregard for innocent life. “The shooter, whoever they are, they don’t care about man, woman, or child,” she said. “I loss for words because these children were in the nursery. To know I have my grandson in Year Two there, this is nonsense. It is unacceptable. Words cannot say how I feel about these people.” She joined other residents in a direct appeal to Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, urging urgent, aggressive action to curb the island’s rising crime wave.
Another resident, who was resting in his home when the gunshots rang out, described the sudden shattering of the neighborhood’s long-held peace. “I hear shots while resting on my bed, and I just tell the madam: ‘Get down.’ That was about it,” he recalled. “This area was quiet for years, and all of a sudden this new generation is bringing different things. The fact that it happened in front of a school is so painful. To know little innocent children would be at high risk while parents are at work… it is sad.” Like many community members, he called for a full, sustained crackdown on criminal activity in the area to restore a sense of safety for local families. “This area needs a cleaning—a healthy cleaning. I pray to God and hope that the culprits are found,” he added.
The Barbados National Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (BNCPTA), led by president Nicole Brathwaite, issued a scathing condemnation of the attack, framing it as a fundamental violation of the safe space that schools are obligated to provide for children. “The BNCPTA condemned this shooting in the strongest terms,” Brathwaite said in an official statement. “This is not just unfortunate; this is unacceptable.”
As word of the shooting spread quickly across social media and local gossip networks, dozens of anxious parents rushed to the scene to reach their children, prompting the BNCPTA to issue an urgent appeal for calm to allow law enforcement and emergency responders to secure the campus and account for all students. The organization emphasized that following official police protocols was the fastest and safest way to reunite families. “We urge parents to stay as calm as possible and follow The Barbados Police Service’s protocols as they reunite with their children,” Brathwaite said. “Your cooperation helps keep everyone safe.”
Beyond the immediate response to Tuesday’s incident, the BNCPTA used the shooting to call for broader, nationwide action to address root causes of violent crime and protect children’s safe spaces. The organization urged all Barbadians to move past shock and outrage toward collective action, pushing for sustained efforts to eliminate violence from communities and schools. “We call on all parents and citizens to stay vigilant and join us in demanding safer communities,” the statement concluded. “Our children deserve nothing less.”
As of late Tuesday evening, when investigative efforts were still ongoing, law enforcement had not made any arrests in connection with the shooting, and had not yet confirmed a definitive motive for the attack. Police are asking any member of the public with information related to the incident, no matter how small it may seem, to contact District ‘A’ Police Station or their nearest local precinct to assist with the investigation.
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Nerves, excitement fill Princess Margaret School on exam day
On a Tuesday morning at Princess Margaret Secondary School in Barbados, a palpable atmosphere of mixed anticipation and nervousness filled the grounds as 215 primary school pupils from across the island’s St Philip region arrived to sit the high-stakes Common Entrance Examination, a key assessment that shapes secondary school placement for young learners. Two full hours before the first exam bell rang, supporters began gathering beyond the school’s gated perimeter: parents, legal guardians, and primary school teachers clustered in small groups, trading stories of months of preparation and delivering final, heartfelt words of encouragement to the young test-takers. As students lined up to enter the compound, embraces were stretched tight, smartphone cameras flashed to capture the milestone moment, and quiet, hopeful prayers drifted through the crowd before the young candidates crossed through the gates to their assigned exam rooms. For many pupils, the mix of pre-exam nerves and quiet confidence mirrored the collective mood of the day. Cazziah Catwell, a candidate from St Martin Mangrove Primary School, summed up the widespread feeling shared by many of her peers, saying, “I feel kind of nervous, but I think I can do my best and I will get through it.” After months of after-school study, practice drills, and mock exams, other candidates leaned into the confidence their preparation had built. “Going into the exam I felt confident having done preparations prior,” explained Adrian Bailey, also representing St Martin Mangrove Primary School. Kianna Wooding, a candidate from Reynold Weekes Primary School, echoed that enthusiasm, noting, “I was preparing for this for a very long time. So now that the time is here, I just feel excited.” Even so, the unfamiliar exam venue proved to be an unexpected source of anxiety for some pupils, who found themselves out of their usual classroom routines surrounded by peers from other schools. “I’m feeling a little bit nervous. I feel nervous because I’m doing it at another school and I’m surrounded by different people,” shared Ranika Leon-Eversley of Reynold Weekes Primary School. Even candidates who said they felt well-prepared acknowledged a lingering undercurrent of nervous energy. Nefertari McCollin, another Reynold Weekes Primary candidate, put it simply: “I’m feeling pretty good. It’s just that I’m just a little nervous.” Ashoni Hinkson from Bayleys Primary School echoed that balance, saying, “I am a bit nervous, but I think I can do it.” Despite the pre-exam jitters, quiet confidence remained the most common sentiment among the young test-takers. “Today I am doing a Common Entrance Exam and I feel good and I will try my best,” said Nakyra Barrow of St Martin’s Mangrove Primary School. Educators who had spent months guiding their students through preparation also shared a tone of cautious optimism. Cheryl Pearce, a teacher at St Catherine’s Primary School, outlined the intensive work her class had put in, saying, “Lots of oral work, written work, practice, practice papers, etc. I think they’re ready, they’re comfortable and confident, and so am I.” She added that after months of focused preparation, she also felt a huge sense of relief that the exam day had finally arrived. Outside the secure exam room perimeter, tension remained thick among waiting supporters. Parents stayed close to the school gates, many showing visible signs of anxiety as they waited for the exam to conclude. Some clasped their hands in ongoing prayer, hoping their children would be able to deliver their best performance after all the hard work of the preceding months. Photos by Lauryn Escamilla of Barbados TODAY capture the full range of emotion on the day: from the group of supporters waiting outside the school gates, to a father giving a final pep talk to his son, and intimate portraits of the candidates and teacher who spoke on the record about the milestone day.