分类： society

A significant payroll crisis is jeopardizing the smooth reopening of schools in Trinidad and Tobago, with hundreds of education professionals facing financial uncertainty days before the new semester. TT Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) President Crystal Ashe revealed that over 100 Business Operations Assistants (BoAs) haven’t received salaries since their contracts lapsed in late November.

These essential administrative staff, who serve as critical support personnel for school principals, worked through December without compensation and face January without employment security. Ashe emphasized the severe operational implications, noting that without BoAs handling administrative burdens, principals must assume additional responsibilities that compromise school management effectiveness.

The situation extends beyond BoAs, with at least 20 teachers reporting missing December paychecks due to alleged administrative discrepancies within the education ministry’s accounts department. Despite these financial hardships, affected staff demonstrate remarkable dedication by preparing to return to classrooms without payment assurances.

Education Ministry officials acknowledged the concerns, stating the matter is “under active consideration” pending Cabinet approvals for contract renewals. The ministry committed to providing “clearer guidance” once bureaucratic processes conclude but offered no specific timeline for resolution.

Compounding the payroll crisis, several schools face infrastructural challenges that threaten Monday’s reopening. Richmond Street Boys Anglican School remains closed due to rodent infestation issues that forced premature closure last semester, with no confirmation regarding remediation progress.

TTUTA leadership characterizes the situation as profoundly concerning, emphasizing that the absence of financial security for education professionals undermines both institutional stability and individual welfare. The association urges immediate governmental intervention to ensure timely payments and contract resolutions before the academic term commences.

Behind the fortified gates of Trinidad and Tobago’s Youth Transformation and Rehabilitation Centre (YTC) in Arouca, 25-year-old Ainsley Grazette is redefining redemption through football. Despite being detained for seven years and awaiting trial for murder, Grazette made history on October 25 by becoming the first YTC resident to compete professionally in the TT Premier Football League tier one, scoring a decisive goal for Prisons FC in his debut match.

Grazette’s journey began in Carenage, where sports were embedded in his family legacy. His mother was an accomplished footballer, and relatives excelled in national tennis. However, his path was derailed by community gang violence, leading to his incarceration. “When I got incarcerated, I sat down and studied my situation,” Grazette recalled. “The same friends I considered… put me through this, but they weren’t there.”

His transformation accelerated through mentorship from Sean Reyes, who oversees YTC’s gym program. Starting as a groundskeeper, Grazette progressed to ball boy before his technical prowess caught coaches’ attention. His integration into prison football teams culminated in the historic professional debut where he scored in the ninth minute, securing a 3-2 victory against Caledonia AIA.

The emotional impact was profound. “Seeing young fellas I grew with calling my number—it brought tears to my eyes,” Grazette shared. His success has inspired younger detainees, with children as young as 12 now seeking football opportunities.

Reyes emphasized YTC’s rehabilitative philosophy: “You can’t want to rehabilitate somebody and have them locked down 24/7. That builds hatred.” The facility employs sports, education, and cultural programs to redirect energies positively. Despite external skepticism about privileges for those charged with serious crimes, Reyes maintains that holistic engagement is essential for meaningful rehabilitation.

Prisons FC coach Dexter Cyrus praised Grazette’s discipline and seamless team integration. The squad now eyes a top-three finish for continental qualification. Grazette remains committed: “Whatever the coach asks, I’m doing it. This year is our year.”

His message to incarcerated youth is unequivocal: “The sky is the limit no matter where you are. Don’t ever be ashamed to be a good person.”

Trinidad and Tobago witnessed significant developments in wildlife conservation and environmental protection throughout 2025, according to a comprehensive report by the TT Field Naturalists’ Club. The year presented both encouraging advancements and disturbing violations in the nation’s ecological preservation efforts.

Law enforcement agencies conducted coordinated operations in March 2025 across Tabaquite, Rio Claro, and Guayaguayare districts to combat illegal hunting activities following the close of hunting season. The multi-agency operation involving the Praedial Larceny Squad, game wardens, and EMBD state patrol uncovered an illegal teak logging operation in Charuma. Subsequently, authorities charged an individual in Whiteland for illegally hunting protected species including a lappe and iguana.

The legal landscape regarding wildlife possession saw clarification when a Brasso Village nature park failed to convince courts that the 2021 seizure of a red howler monkey was unlawful. This ruling established that merely submitting a possession request to the Wildlife Section does not constitute legal permission to keep protected species.

Tragically, December 2025 marked the discovery of a fatally shot ocelot in Grande Riviere, reported by conservationist Len Peters. Veterinary experts at the University of the West Indies’ Zoology Museum conducted a necropsy confirming the animal had been shot, extracting eight shotgun slugs. As Trinidad’s only native wild cat species designated as Environmentally Sensitive since 2013, harming ocelots carries penalties of $100,000 fines and two-year imprisonment.

Marine environments faced parallel challenges, with a distressed whale shark bearing visible injuries found dead near Chaquacabana hotel after being spotted at Peake Yacht Services marina. Meanwhile, proposed development of a 200-room hotel complex at Tobago’s Rocky Point threatened coral reefs serving as nesting sites for protected sea turtles and habitat for endangered elkhorn corals.

Positive developments emerged through judicial and policy channels. The High Court overturned the Environmental Management Authority’s 2018 approval of a massive housing project near St Augustine Nurseries, citing insufficient environmental impact assessment. Justice Robin Mohammed emphasized the EMA’s failure to obtain crucial information regarding micro-climate impacts and agricultural concerns.

July 2025 brought multiple policy advancements including Trinidad’s commitment to the Ocean Coordination Mechanism, International Coral Reef Initiative, 2030 National Biodiversity Targets, and a new National Climate Change Policy. December introduced fireworks regulations prohibiting usage within half-mile radius of forest reserves, national parks, zoos, and animal shelters.

The Solid Waste Management Company’s proposed engineered landfill at Forres Park generated mixed reactions, promising modern waste management while raising community concerns about localized pollution.

Educational initiatives flourished with the publication of the Field Guide of Selected Native and Exotic Medicinal and Edible Plants, while the 2025 Bioblitz event in Maracas documented over 1,000 species through collaboration between the TT Field Naturalists’ Club and University of the West Indies, supported by First Citizens funding.

As the new year unfolds, Caribbean culinary traditions welcome the seasonal arrival of pigeon peas, a legume variety that graces markets from December through March. Food expert Wendy Rahamut highlights the remarkable versatility of these peas, which feature prominently in diverse culinary applications ranging from traditional rice dishes and hearty soups to innovative plant-based burgers and even vegetarian lasagna.

Selecting quality peas requires discerning observation: optimal specimens appear in plump pods with peas nearly bursting through, while smaller peas or visible worm damage typically indicate less desirable second-crop varieties. Rahamut recommends purchasing fresh or frozen peas to enjoy their distinct flavor profile throughout the year.

The article presents three meticulously crafted recipes demonstrating the pea’s culinary adaptability. Chicken Pelau incorporates the legumes into a complex layered dish where marinated chicken undergoes caramelization with brown sugar before combining with pumpkin, coconut milk, and parboiled rice. Pigeon Pea Patties blend cooked peas with sautéed aromatics, crushed potato, and fresh herbs like parsley and thyme, formed into patties for shallow frying. Most innovatively, Pigeon Pea Piononos feature plantain rings stuffed with seasoned pea mixture and baked until achieving a perfect crust.

Each recipe provides precise measurements, detailed preparation techniques, and serving specifications, embodying the cultural significance of pigeon peas in Caribbean cuisine while offering practical guidance for home cooks seeking to explore this seasonal ingredient.

In a striking development within Trinidad and Tobago’s transportation sector, former Works and Transport Minister Jack Warner has issued a compelling challenge to current minister Eli Zakour regarding the implementation of newly doubled traffic fines effective January 1. While expressing support for the punitive measures designed to combat roadway lawlessness, Warner has raised critical questions about whether government fleets will be subjected to the same rigorous standards now imposed on citizens.

Warner’s open letter, composed during his tenure in the People’s Partnership administration (2011-2012), acknowledges the necessity of strengthened penalties to address the escalating disregard for traffic regulations. However, he pivots to two fundamental concerns: the alarming prevalence of jaywalking behavior and the roadworthiness of state-owned vehicles.

The former minister describes an emerging ‘bounce me nah’ culture where pedestrians immersed in mobile devices step into traffic with dangerous confidence, ignoring signals and crossings. This behavior, he notes, endangers both pedestrians and motorists alike, particularly elderly drivers navigating congested thoroughfares.

More significantly, Warner scrutinizes the maintenance standards of government vehicles spanning multiple agencies—including ministerial SUVs, NP tankers, T&TEC, WASA, TSTT vehicles, emergency response units, and PTSC buses. He questions whether these vehicles undergo regular inspections matching the newly intensified standards applied to private citizens. Warner emphasizes that public confidence in enforcement hinges on the perception of equal application to both citizens and government entities.

Calling for full transparency, Warner requested disclosure of inspection protocols, associated taxpayer costs, and implementation timelines if such measures exist. If not, he demands explanation for the exemption. The former minister concludes by commending Zakour’s courage while urging comprehensive, fair, and credible enforcement supported by functioning systems and visible accountability.

In a world increasingly fragmented by political polarization and contested elections, Trinidad and Tobago stands as a remarkable example of democratic resilience and cultural cohesion. Heritage consultant Vel A Lewis presents a compelling examination of how the nation’s diverse social fabric has become its greatest strength.

The Caribbean nation’s stability is rooted in its deeply ingrained democratic traditions, where peaceful power transitions and respect for electoral outcomes have become normalized despite global trends toward election disputes. This political maturity, Lewis argues, is intrinsically linked to TT’s multicultural identity—a rich tapestry woven from Indigenous, African, Indian, European, Chinese, and Syrian influences.

This diversity manifests through vibrant cultural expressions that serve as social coping mechanisms. Carnival transforms tension into masquerade, while artistic traditions like calypso, steelpan, tassa, and chutney provide spaces for resistance and collective meaning-making. The nation’s religious pluralism—encompassing Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Orisha, and Spiritual Baptist traditions—further reinforces shared values of compassion and tolerance.

Despite facing contemporary challenges including crime concerns and geopolitical tensions with neighboring Venezuela, TT’s historical pattern demonstrates a society that “bends without breaking.” The author identifies the distinctive national temperament—both playful and prayerful—as key to this resilience, encapsulated in the popular local saying that “God is a Trini” reflecting collective confidence in overcoming adversity.

Looking toward 2026, Lewis advocates for strategic investment in cultural preservation as essential to sustaining democratic foundations. Priority recommendations include completing the National Museum and Art Gallery restoration, enhancing protection for heritage sites, and strengthening support for visual and performing arts. These investments, the consultant contends, represent not merely cultural preservation but active reinforcement of the resilience that has carried the nation through previous challenges.

The conclusion emphasizes that Trinidad and Tobago’s story of beauty, diversity, faith, and perseverance provides a template for maintaining national confidence amid global uncertainties through purposeful cultural stewardship.

Prime Minister’s emphasis on public safety as a cornerstone of her 2026 agenda has encountered significant challenges regarding fireworks regulation. Despite implementing new fireworks regulations, the government has witnessed widespread public disregard for these measures, prompting calls for more drastic action.

The enforcement mechanism has proven fundamentally inadequate during recent celebrations. Despite explicit commitments from both the Homeland Security Minister and Police Commissioner regarding rigorous implementation, law enforcement agencies remained unable to address illegal fireworks usage effectively. The inherent nature of fireworks – their transient projection and instantaneous combustion – creates near-insurmountable obstacles for identifying perpetrators and collecting evidence, rendering current legislation practically unenforceable.

This enforcement paralysis has created a scenario where non-compliant citizens effectively override law-abiding ones, undermining governmental authority and public safety initiatives. Particularly concerning are official suggestions regarding protective measures, including a proposed half-mile radius of protection for vulnerable populations and recommendations for silent fireworks. These proposals demonstrate a fundamental misunderstanding of both the practical realities and the comprehensive nature of the problem.

The accumulating evidence points toward a single logical conclusion: only a complete prohibition on public fireworks possession can address the core issues of enforcement impossibility and public safety compromise. The government now faces increasing pressure to implement decisive action that matches the severity of the situation.