Carib Scope

分类： society

  • K-9 Roni joins Royal Saint Lucia Police Force

    K-9 Roni joins Royal Saint Lucia Police Force

    The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) has significantly bolstered its operational capabilities with the acquisition of K-9 Roni, a specially trained police dog generously donated by the French government. The canine specialist arrived on the island earlier this week accompanied by his handler, with formal training sessions scheduled to commence imminently with local K-9 unit officers.

    Police Public Relations Officer Zane Romulus confirmed that Roni’s integration into the force will substantially enhance the unit’s effectiveness in security operations. Concurrently, the RSLPF is developing comprehensive management protocols for its K-9 division, featuring ambitious infrastructure plans including state-of-the-art kennel facilities, specialized transportation systems for canine safety, and meticulously structured veterinary care programs.

    An official handover ceremony is being organized for the coming weeks to formally recognize this international security collaboration. This development follows high-level discussions between RSLPF delegates and French security counterparts during a January 19th visit to Martinique, where meetings were conducted with both the Gendarmerie and French Navy authorities.

    These diplomatic engagements, stemming from the ninth Franco-Saint Lucia Joint Security Meeting held in October 2025, have additionally paved the way for expanded training opportunities across multiple RSLPF units. The forthcoming programs will emphasize capacity building and strengthened cross-border cooperation mechanisms to effectively address regional security challenges.

  • Ciceron R.C. Combined wins schools Backyard Garden Competition

    Ciceron R.C. Combined wins schools Backyard Garden Competition

    In a pioneering initiative blending education with agriculture, Ciceron R.C. Combined School has emerged victorious in Saint Lucia’s inaugural Schools Backyard Garden Competition. The event, organized as a cornerstone of the Consumer Affairs Department’s Food Security Campaign during Business Month activities, saw Millet Primary School and Anse La Raye Primary School claiming second and third places respectively.

    Seven educational institutions from District Four participated in this innovative program, receiving vital seed contributions from the Taiwan Technical Mission. Students were tasked with establishing functional gardens while meticulously documenting their agricultural journey through video submissions. Additional participating schools included La Croix Maingot Combined School, Roseau R.C. Combined School, L’Abayee SDA Primary School, and Odsan Primary School.

    Educators observed remarkable student engagement throughout the project. Omica Common, Special Education teacher at the winning institution, noted how students incorporated traditional gardening techniques from their grandparents. The initiative sparked such enthusiasm at Anse La Raye Primary that Science teacher Lillian Stephens reported increased demand for farming club membership, leading to expanded projects including organic pesticide production and handmade flower pots.

    The Taiwan Technical Mission provided comprehensive support under Project Lead Maria Jaganath, who helped transform outdoor spaces into practical learning environments. The mission awarded monetary prizes to top-performing schools alongside recognition for all participants. This collaborative effort received additional backing from Saint Lucia’s Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Equity.

    At the January 15, 2026 awards ceremony held at the Archbishop Kelvin Felix Pastoral Centre, Dr. Charmaine Hippolyte-Emmanuel, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Equity, praised the project’s alignment with national youth development and food security objectives. She emphasized how the initiative demonstrated successful implementation of policy through effective partnerships, creating tangible community outcomes while acknowledging the crucial support from school administrators and staff.

  • UN urges governments to prioritise education funding on International Education Day

    UN urges governments to prioritise education funding on International Education Day

    In a powerful address marking International Education Day, UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued an urgent call for governments worldwide to elevate education funding as a paramount priority in national budgets and development agendas. The January 23rd observance highlighted education’s critical role as both a fundamental human right and essential catalyst for opportunity, dignity, and global peace.

    Guterres revealed startling statistics indicating that over 200 million children and youth remain excluded from educational systems due to intersecting crises of poverty, discrimination, conflict, displacement, and natural disasters. He emphasized that closing persistent gaps in financing, access, and educational quality requires immediate coordinated action from governments, international partners, and donors.

    Parallel developments emerged from the Caribbean region, where the Caribbean Development Bank convened a youth symposium addressing regional educational challenges. Participants identified three critical areas demanding urgent intervention: intelligent integration of technology in learning environments, mandatory implementation of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs, and strengthened collaboration among families, educational institutions, and communities.

    A significant generational divide surfaced regarding technological adoption, with students reporting that many educators and parents lack digital literacy, resulting in excessively restrictive technology policies. Symposium recommendations included comprehensive digital literacy programs for adults to facilitate more effective, safe, and responsible technology use in education.

    Youth representatives particularly emphasized the necessity for practical, hands-on learning experiences, advocating for TVET to become compulsory throughout Caribbean educational systems. They argued that these skills provide essential preparation for future economic success despite not being widely integrated into current curricula.

    Guterres specifically highlighted the importance of incorporating youth perspectives in policy formation, stating: ‘We particularly need to listen to the voices of young people themselves, and act on their pleas for qualified teachers, relevant skills training for a changing world, and equitable access to technology.’ His concluding appeal urged global collaboration to ‘build inclusive, resilient and innovative education systems for all people.’

  • UWIFIC Guild of students to Host Inter-Campus Guild Council Meeting in Antigua

    UWIFIC Guild of students to Host Inter-Campus Guild Council Meeting in Antigua

    The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus is preparing to welcome student delegates from across the Caribbean region for the upcoming Inter-Campus Guild Council Meeting, scheduled to take place in Antigua over five consecutive days. This significant gathering will assemble student representatives from all five UWI campuses—Cave Hill, Mona, St. Augustine, Global Campus, and the host Five Islands campus—under the ambitious theme “Beyond the Council: A New Order of Leadership.

    The event represents one of the most substantial regional student leadership initiatives of the academic year, designed to foster enhanced collaboration, shared governance structures, and progressive advocacy among the university’s student bodies. As the hosting institution, UWI Five Islands will spearhead comprehensive discussions, interactive workshops, and strategic planning sessions concentrating on leadership development, effective student representation, and policy proposals with system-wide implementation potential.

    Kerron McKenzie, Guild President of the UWI Five Islands Campus, articulated the meeting’s profound significance, stating: “This transcends conventional formalities. We are building meaningful regional connections, fortifying inter-campus unity, and establishing foundational frameworks for sustainable initiatives that will advantage students throughout the entire UWI network.” McKenzie further emphasized the ICGC’s distinctive value as a platform for exchanging best practices, addressing common student concerns, and developing adaptable proposals that respect campus diversity while advancing a unified regional vision.

    A central thematic focus of this year’s deliberations will be legacy-building within student governance frameworks. Participants will explore mechanisms to ensure contemporary decisions generate enduring value, maintain operational continuity, and preserve institutional memory within guild leadership structures.

    The selection of Antigua as host venue underscores the growing influence of the UWI Five Islands Campus within regional student governance, positioning it as an emerging center for collaborative dialogue and innovative thinking within the broader UWI ecosystem. Campus organizers perceive this meeting as a definitive moment that reinforces purposeful leadership, regional solidarity, and the creation of lasting institutional legacies for future generations of UWI students.

  • UNDP Engagement Highlights St. Kitts and Nevis as Regional Leader in Crime Prevention

    UNDP Engagement Highlights St. Kitts and Nevis as Regional Leader in Crime Prevention

    BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – The Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis has gained significant international recognition for its innovative public health-oriented strategy in combating crime and violence. This acknowledgment follows high-level discussions between the nation’s Citizen Security Task Force and representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

    The dialogue occurred during the Task Force’s inaugural 2026 meeting, presided over by Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew. This meeting coincided with a UNDP assessment mission evaluating how the Federation’s prevention-focused framework could serve as a blueprint for broader Caribbean regional initiatives against criminal activities.

    Established in 2024, the Citizen Security Task Force has implemented a comprehensive societal approach that integrates law enforcement agencies, educational institutions, youth advocates, government officials, business leaders, and religious organizations. This collaborative model addresses crime fundamentally as both a public health concern and social development challenge rather than purely a law enforcement matter.

    The results have been transformative: the Federation has witnessed a remarkable 76% reduction in homicides, achieving single-digit homicide rates for the first time in more than twenty years.

    Prime Minister Drew emphasized that international attention validates both the model’s effectiveness and the collective national effort behind its success. “Today’s recognition celebrates a novel and thoughtful methodology toward citizen security,” stated Dr. Drew. “This approach conceptualizes crime and violence not merely through a law enforcement lens but as multidimensional public health and social challenges. The credit belongs to the people of St. Kitts and Nevis who partnered with government, embraced prevention, and took ownership of their safety.”

    The Prime Minister further noted that the model’s expanding influence creates opportunities for regional impact. “We take pride that our progress can now help shape solutions throughout the Caribbean. If our experience can assist other nations in enhancing safety, resilience, and social stability, that represents a contribution we are honored to make,” he affirmed.

    Eartha Carey, Coordinator of the Citizen Security Secretariat, indicated that UNDP’s engagement reinforces the importance of maintaining momentum throughout 2026. “This international interest confirms that prevention strategies work when communities are actively engaged and properly supported,” Carey observed. “Our current focus involves deepening outreach efforts, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring that achieved progress becomes sustainable long-term.”

    UNDP officials have suggested that St. Kitts and Nevis’ methodology could significantly influence discussions surrounding a proposed Regional Action Plan addressing crime and violence as public health issues. This development aligns with Caribbean leaders’ continued prioritization of prevention mechanisms, social investment, and regional cooperation frameworks.

    The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis reaffirms its commitment to enhancing citizen security through evidence-based policies, community involvement, and international collaboration, with the ultimate objective of ensuring safety and security for all citizens, residents, and visitors.

  • Unemployed woman to pay $450 for injuries caused by water bottle

    Unemployed woman to pay $450 for injuries caused by water bottle

    A 23-year-old unemployed resident of Sandy Bay has been sentenced to financial penalties after admitting to assaulting a fellow villager with a water flask on New Year’s Day. Antonette Nero appeared before Magistrate Kaywanna Jacobs at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on Monday, where she pleaded guilty to charges of causing actual bodily harm to Avise Woods.

    According to evidence presented by Police Constable 977 Fergus, the altercation originated from a verbal dispute between the two women at a local shop in Sandy Bay around 5:30 p.m. on January 1. Following the initial confrontation, Woods had moved to sit by the roadside when Nero approached and threw a purple water flask that struck her on the right leg, resulting in visible injuries.

    Defense attorney Charmaine Walters appealed for judicial leniency during proceedings, proposing alternative sentencing through a bond arrangement. Walters presented mitigation circumstances suggesting the flask had been intended for Woods’ son-in-law rather than Woods herself.

    Magistrate Jacobs determined Nero demonstrated potential for rehabilitation and required redirection rather than imprisonment. The court imposed a compensation order of EC$300 payable to the victim by February 20, with a three-month incarceration alternative for non-payment. An additional fine of EC$150 was levied, due by March 6 under threat of one-month imprisonment.

    The sentencing notably fell below standard guidelines, which could have mandated an eight-month prison term. The prosecution was represented by Inspector of Police Corlene Samuel, with PC 573 Young conducting the investigation.

  • Antigua Cruise Port, AIDA Cruises Host Students Aboard AIDAperla for Educational Ship Visit

    Antigua Cruise Port, AIDA Cruises Host Students Aboard AIDAperla for Educational Ship Visit

    Antigua Cruise Port has launched an innovative educational initiative in partnership with AIDA Cruises, offering students from St. John’s Catholic School an immersive learning experience aboard the AIDAperla cruise vessel. The program specifically targets youth career development within the maritime and tourism industries.

    Under the guidance of Aubrey Miranda, General Manager of AIDAperla, and supported by the ship’s dedicated crew, participants received comprehensive operational insights during their onboard tour. The hands-on session provided practical exposure to cruise ship management and broader maritime industry operations, creating tangible connections between classroom learning and real-world applications.

    This educational visit represents a strategic component of Antigua Cruise Port’s sustained commitment to youth engagement and career development. The program deliberately emphasizes the cruise sector’s substantial contribution to national economic stability while encouraging students to consider professional opportunities within tourism and maritime services.

    As an integral member of the Global Ports Holding network, Antigua Cruise Port maintains its support for initiatives that forge stronger connections between academic institutions, community advancement, and the cruise industry. These efforts aim to develop local talent and create sustainable career pipelines that benefit both students and the maritime sector’s future workforce needs.

  • Column: Een mening is geen vrijbrief

    Column: Een mening is geen vrijbrief

    In an era where the boundaries between fact and opinion increasingly blur, media organizations face growing pressure to publish content that may not meet journalistic standards. Wilfred Leeuwin’s analysis presents a crucial examination of how editorial discretion fundamentally differs from censorship—a distinction vital for maintaining integrity in public discourse.

    Media outlets serve as curators rather than bulletin boards, employing professional judgment to evaluate both news and opinion pieces. This process involves rigorous fact-checking, contextual analysis, and ethical considerations before publication. The rejection of content that fails these standards represents not suppression of free speech but adherence to professional journalism principles.

    The core issue emerges when individuals conflate editorial decisions with censorship. A hypothetical example illustrates this distinction: someone claiming ‘teachers never do their work’ at a school may express legitimate frustration, but the factual inaccuracy of ‘never’ makes the statement unreliable. While the opinion that ‘improvement is needed’ remains valid, the presentation of falsehoods as facts crosses into unacceptable territory.

    True censorship involves state intervention or powerful entities suppressing speech through intimidation, revoked licenses, or publication bans. This represents a genuine threat to democratic discourse by controlling and limiting public debate. In contrast, editorial rejection based on factual inaccuracies protects the quality of public conversation.

    A more subtle threat emerges through self-censorship—when journalists avoid sensitive topics due to fear of political pressure, advertiser reactions, lawsuits, or online backlash. This dangerous trend prioritizes safety over truth, contrary to journalistic codes like the Code of Bordeaux which warns against fear-driven decisions rather than careful editorial judgment.

    Freedom of expression remains a fundamental right, but it carries responsibilities. Journalism operates as a profession with established rules, norms, and ethical boundaries designed to maintain honest and reliable public discourse. The refusal to publish factually questionable content demonstrates editorial backbone, not suppression.

    Rejected opinion pieces can always find alternative platforms, preserving freedom of speech while maintaining quality standards. The essential distinction lies between suppressing voices and preventing the dissemination of carelessly constructed arguments built on emotion rather than evidence.

    Ultimately, media organizations must balance the protection of free expression with their duty to provide accurate, responsible journalism. This requires courage to uphold standards even when facing accusations of censorship, ensuring that public discourse remains founded on verifiable facts rather than unfounded assertions.

  • Conflict met minOWC escaleert: Leraren technisch onderwijs leggen werk neer

    Conflict met minOWC escaleert: Leraren technisch onderwijs leggen werk neer

    Suriname’s technical and vocational education system faces imminent paralysis as the Union of Teachers in Technical Education (BLTO) initiates severe industrial actions. Educators across lower and secondary vocational programs (LBO and MBO) have withdrawn their services indefinitely, demanding full settlement of outstanding payments that the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture (minOWC) failed to deliver.

    The crisis escalated Thursday when BLTO members expressed profound disappointment with Minister Dirk Currie’s inadequate response to their grievances. The union asserts that ministry officials demonstrate insufficient regard for vocational teachers’ welfare and vulnerable professional position.

    At the heart of the dispute lies the government’s failure to process November 2025 payments specifically earmarked for vocational instructors, despite fulfilling financial obligations to other educational departments. The ministry also disregarded its January 2026 deadline to resolve payment arrears and reportedly rejected a proposed supplementary payroll solution from its own directorial team.

    BLTO leadership emphasizes their continued efforts to maintain constructive dialogue despite these setbacks, presenting multiple proposals to prevent further damage to vocational education. They specifically highlight the accelerating brain drain of technically trained educators—a persistent issue crippling the sector’s sustainability.

    With negotiations yielding no results, the union’s action plan mandates that day and evening program instructors cease work until all outstanding salaries are settled. Key demands include payment of salaries for newly hired teachers, part-time staff, and overtime compensation before January 31, 2026.

    In an unprecedented move, the union is appealing directly to Suriname’s President. BLTO urges the head of state to: urgently implement teacher revaluation processes, expedite review of their petition submitted today at 09:00 hours, and address systemic policy and operational bottlenecks within vocational education. The mobilization includes a mass gathering at Independence Square at 08:30 hours for collective demonstration.

  • Arrest Made in Double Murder of Sarita Deliverymen

    Arrest Made in Double Murder of Sarita Deliverymen

    In a significant development regarding the brutal December 2025 murders that shocked Belize, authorities have made an arrest in the double homicide of Sarita delivery drivers Raynard Raymond Garbutt and Robert Alexander Crawford. Harry Nathaniel Trapp, a 49-year-old mechanic from Santa Elena Town, now faces two counts of murder for the execution-style killings that occurred along the Hummingbird Highway.

    The victims, aged 22 and 43 respectively, were discovered on December 11, 2025, near Mile Forty along a feeder road off the main highway. Both men had been shot in the back of the head and were found face down. Their delivery truck was located abandoned with its cash compartment emptied, leading investigators to classify the case as a robbery that escalated into a double murder.

    After weeks of intensive investigation that included forensic analysis, witness interviews, and review of the truck’s GPS data—which showed the vehicle stationary since 3:48 p.m. on the day of the murders—police identified and apprehended Trapp. The arrest represents the first major breakthrough in a case that has drawn national attention and devastated two families.

    Garbutt, who had recently become a father, and Crawford, one of nine siblings, were described by loved ones as victims of a senseless and deeply cruel act. Trapp is scheduled for arraignment in the coming days where he will formally respond to the double murder charges.