Carib Scope

分类： society

  • As four in ten adults ‘lack certification’, ministries to join literacy strategy

    As four in ten adults ‘lack certification’, ministries to join literacy strategy

    Barbados is confronting a significant educational challenge as recent data reveals over 40% of the adult population lacks formal certification, prompting a coordinated government response. This literacy deficit is increasingly viewed as a critical barrier to workforce development and economic participation, compelling the Ministries of Labour and Education to formulate a comprehensive national strategy.

    The issue gained prominence during House Estimates discussions for the Ministry of Labour’s appropriations, where Education Transformation Minister Chad Blackman emphasized the severe limitations poor literacy skills impose on adult citizens. Labour Minister Colin Jordan acknowledged the sensitive nature of adult education, revealing that his ministry has strengthened collaboration with the Ministry of Technological and Vocational Training over the past six months, particularly through apprenticeship initiatives.

    Erika Watson, Programme Manager at the Ministry of Labour, provided lawmakers with details of the emerging national strategic plan. “Our focus has been on developing a national strategy that recognizes the multitude of stakeholders involved in addressing adult literacy,” Watson explained. “We need a framework that facilitates coordination and pulls all efforts together.”

    The strategy will prioritize functional literacy—equipping adults with practical skills necessary to capitalize on labor market opportunities, enhance workplace effectiveness, and realize their full potential. Minister Jordan further proposed establishing skills sector councils to guide workforce development in priority industries, with the first council focusing on renewable energy already in development.

    These industry-led councils will identify emerging trends, skill gaps, and future development needs across key sectors. Watson elaborated that the councils will “inform education and training, career guidance work, and employment promotion strategies.” The government plans to establish at least four such councils this year covering renewable energy, construction, tourism, and information technology services.

    Concurrently, Minister Jordan acknowledged underutilization of International Labour Organization (ILO) resources and committed to leveraging these international resources more effectively to support Barbados’ literacy and workforce development objectives.

  • Two missing after molasses barge sinks off East Coast Demerara

    Two missing after molasses barge sinks off East Coast Demerara

    A significant maritime emergency response has been activated following the sinking of a molasses-laden barge off the coast of Guyana, leaving two crew members unaccounted for. The incident involving the vessel TRADER III occurred in the early hours of Monday morning approximately 9.5 nautical miles from Buxton on the East Coast Demerara.

    The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) confirmed it received a distress signal at approximately 1:00 AM local time, indicating the specialized cargo vessel was experiencing catastrophic failure while transporting molasses from Berbice to Georgetown. The barge was fully loaded with the viscous industrial commodity at the time of the sinking.

    Emergency protocols were immediately initiated following the distress call, mobilizing a multi-agency search and rescue operation. Captain John Flores, MARAD’s Emergency Operations Coordinator, is leading the coordinated effort with substantial support from the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard. The vessel’s owning company is also providing assistance to authorities in the ongoing operation.

    The search mission continues across the affected maritime zone as authorities work to locate the two missing crew members. The circumstances surrounding the sudden sinking of the specialized transport barge remain under investigation by maritime safety officials. Further updates are expected as the search operation develops and more information becomes available about this industrial maritime incident.

  • Caribbean urged to improve population data for stronger policy decisions

    Caribbean urged to improve population data for stronger policy decisions

    Caribbean governments are embarking on a critical mission to revolutionize their population data systems, recognizing that outdated information frameworks are inadequate for addressing contemporary regional challenges. This urgent call to action was delivered by Jennifer Hunte, Permanent Secretary of Barbados’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Development, during the inauguration of a landmark regional workshop focused on statistical modernization.

    The gathering represents a significant collaborative effort, uniting statistical experts, urban planners, and technical specialists from across CARICOM member states alongside international partners including the United Nations Population Fund (WorldPop), the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and the European Commission. This five-day intensive program aims to fundamentally transform how Caribbean nations collect, analyze, and utilize demographic information.

    Central to this initiative is the implementation of the internationally recognized Degree of Urbanization (DEGURBA) methodology, which provides standardized frameworks for classifying urban and rural settlements. This harmonized approach addresses a persistent challenge in regional planning: the inconsistent definitions of community types across different jurisdictions that have historically hampered comparative analysis and policy development.

    Hunte highlighted Barbados’s progressive policy landscape, citing recently implemented frameworks including the Physical Development Plan Amendment 2023, the National Population Policy 2023-2040, and the Economic Recovery and Transformation Plan 2026. However, she emphasized that these ambitious programs require substantially more granular and reliable data to achieve their objectives effectively.

    The Permanent Secretary outlined multiple pressing challenges driving this data revolution, including increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, accelerating population aging, and contracting labor forces. These demographic and environmental pressures necessitate completely reimagined approaches to physical development and resource allocation across the region.

    Workshop participants will engage in practical, hands-on training sessions focusing on developing and validating small-area population estimates before advancing to applied DEGURBA methodology implementation. This technical foundation will enable the generation of harmonized settlement classifications and policy-relevant analysis that accurately reflects on-the-ground realities.

    Beyond technical skill development, the initiative aims to strengthen institutional capacity within national statistical systems throughout the Caribbean. The ultimate goal is to produce exceptionally detailed, timely, and actionable data that can transform how governments plan services, allocate resources, and address the needs of vulnerable populations—particularly girls, adolescents, youth, and women across Caribbean societies.

  • Dominican authorities open “Life Points” to assist women at risk

    Dominican authorities open “Life Points” to assist women at risk

    The Dominican government has unveiled a groundbreaking national initiative to address the critical issue of gender-based violence, introducing a network of safe havens known as ‘Life Points’ for women in immediate danger. This strategic intervention, spearheaded by Interior and Police Minister Faride Raful, provides vulnerable women with alternative access points to seek urgent protection and support without the initial requirement of visiting formal law enforcement or prosecutorial offices.

    The program was formally activated following a high-level convening of the Joint Task Force, under the leadership of Vice President Raquel Peña. Initial operational sites have been established across key government and public locations, including the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the Ministry of the Interior and Police, the Ministry of the Presidency, the Provincial Government of Santiago, and a branch of Farmacia Los Hidalgos on Avenida Abraham Lincoln in Santo Domingo. Personnel at these designated points have undergone comprehensive training to serve as certified first responders, equipped to initiate emergency protocols and coordinate directly with the Dominican National Police and the Public Ministry.

    Concurrent with this preventative measure, official data reveals the scale of the national response. Thus far in the current year, the police’s Specialized Directorate for Attention to Women and Domestic Violence has provided aid to 1,695 individuals and successfully extracted 49 minors from high-risk environments. Law enforcement actions have led to the arrest of 630 perpetrators linked to domestic and gender-based violence offenses, with extended protection and follow-up services extended to 5,994 victims. To enhance this systematic approach, authorities are developing a standardized risk assessment instrument designed to meticulously evaluate each reported case and calibrate the necessary level of protective intervention.

  • APUA Workers Return to Duties After Minister Nicholas Meets with Union Following Industrial Action

    APUA Workers Return to Duties After Minister Nicholas Meets with Union Following Industrial Action

    In response to recent labor unrest, Antigua’s Public Utilities Minister Melford Nicholas has successfully mediated between utility management and union representatives, resulting in the immediate resumption of normal operations. The high-level meeting brought together executives from the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) and leadership of the Antigua Trades and Labour Union (AT&LU) to address grievances that had prompted industrial action among covered employees.

    The discussions, characterized by both parties as constructive and cordial, focused on unresolved issues within the ongoing Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations. Minister Nicholas facilitated dialogue that enabled all stakeholders to articulate concerns and clarify positions while reaffirming their shared commitment to peaceful resolution mechanisms.

    Following productive exchanges, union representatives agreed to direct their members to return to work immediately, ensuring no disruption to essential public services. The successful intervention demonstrates the effectiveness of tripartite dialogue in resolving labor disputes within the country’s critical infrastructure sector.

    All participating entities have committed to continuing negotiations, scheduling a subsequent meeting for March 11, 2026, to finalize agreement terms on the matters raised. APUA has reiterated its dedication to maintaining transparent communication channels with employee representatives while ensuring uninterrupted utility services for the citizens of Antigua and Barbuda.

    The resolution highlights the importance of institutional conflict resolution frameworks in maintaining industrial harmony within essential service sectors, potentially establishing a precedent for addressing future labor relations challenges in the Caribbean nation’s public utilities sector.

  • UWI Five Islands to Host Public Lecture and Performing Arts Showcase

    UWI Five Islands to Host Public Lecture and Performing Arts Showcase

    ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – The University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus is set to present an integrative event merging intellectual discourse with cultural celebration on Thursday, March 12. The occasion, orchestrated by the School of Humanities and Education, will feature a Distinguished Public Lecture alongside a Performing Arts Showcase, offering free admission to all community members.

    Central to the event is an academic address by Professor Dave A. Louis from the University of Houston. His lecture, ‘Navigating Multiple Worlds: Caribbean Identity, Social Invisibility & Establishing Positionality in the Academy,’ will critically examine the complex dynamics of Caribbean identity formation and the nuanced experiences of Caribbean academics operating within international educational institutions.

    Complementing the scholarly dialogue, the evening will transition into a vibrant cultural concert highlighting regional artistic excellence. Attendees will experience diverse performances from the UWI FIC Singers, the Five Islands Primary School Choir, the AGHS Honeybee Theatre, and the Pandemonium Steel Orchestra.

    The gathering will commence at 4:30 p.m. in the campus cafeteria. University representatives emphasize that this initiative aims to foster public engagement with academically-grounded conversations relevant to Caribbean societal contexts while simultaneously honoring and promoting the region’s rich performing arts heritage.

  • APUA Workers Asked to Resume Duties After Talks with Minister

    APUA Workers Asked to Resume Duties After Talks with Minister

    Utility services in Antigua have returned to normal after successful mediation between government officials, union representatives, and management of the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA). The resolution came after Monday’s industrial action prompted emergency talks involving Public Utilities Minister Melford Nicholas, executives from the Antigua Trades and Labour Union (AT&LU), and APUA’s leadership team.

    The high-level meeting focused on addressing worker grievances outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement, with both union stewards and management participating in substantive discussions. APUA characterized the negotiations as productive, noting that the dialogue enabled both parties to achieve clarity on key issues while demonstrating mutual commitment to ongoing communication.

    Following the breakthrough in talks, union leadership formally instructed their members to return to their positions and restore full operational capacity. The parties have scheduled subsequent negotiations for Wednesday, March 11, to advance discussions toward comprehensive resolution of remaining concerns.

    The swift resolution prevented prolonged disruption to public utilities while establishing a framework for continued constructive engagement between labor and management representatives.

  • Resident British Commissioner Commends Young Athletes at CARIFTA Trials

    Resident British Commissioner Commends Young Athletes at CARIFTA Trials

    In a vibrant celebration of Commonwealth Day 2026, the British High Commission in Antigua and Barbuda partnered with the Antigua and Barbuda Athletics Association (ABAA) to emphasize the pivotal role of youth engagement and sports within the Commonwealth network. The collaborative initiative, held on March 5th at the YASCO sports complex, served as a platform to connect generations of athletes, fostering a spirit of international camaraderie and athletic aspiration.

    The event featured an assembly of several distinguished Commonwealth Games veterans who shared their profound experiences and competitive journeys with an audience of more than 60 emerging young athletes. These seasoned athletes delivered motivational presentations, offering invaluable insights and inspiration to the next generation of Antiguan and Barbudan sports representatives.

    British Resident Commissioner to Antigua and Barbuda, John Hamilton, addressed the gathering, highlighting the nation’s significant upcoming role on the Commonwealth stage. “Antigua and Barbuda will be hosting the prestigious Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting later this year,” Hamilton stated. “You have demonstrated a strong interest in the work of the Commonwealth, the legacy of the Commonwealth Games, and the importance of collaboration across our nations. I hope the encouragement from athletes who have represented Antigua and Barbuda in the past will serve as inspiration in your own sporting journeys.”

    Further extending its support, the British High Commission contributed to the CARIFTA trials held on March 7th and 8th, which saw intense competition among over 150 athletes. All participants were awarded certificates acknowledging their athletic achievements, accompanied by informational materials about the Commonwealth and the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

    This sporting initiative also served as a precursor to a major diplomatic event, as Antigua and Barbuda is set to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in November, the largest gathering in the Commonwealth calendar. Commissioner Hamilton extended gratitude to the ABAA for their diligent efforts in integrating educational components about the 56-member Commonwealth organization into the recent athletic activities.

  • Dominica to see audit of fire hydrants as system is upgraded

    Dominica to see audit of fire hydrants as system is upgraded

    Following a devastating fire incident, Dominica’s National Security Minister Rayburn Blackmoore has mandated an immediate nationwide audit of fire hydrants, declaring fire emergencies matters of national security. The directive came during a formal ceremony where two new trucks were handed over to the Fire and Ambulance Service, highlighting critical infrastructure vulnerabilities exposed by the March 2nd blaze that destroyed multiple buildings including a Jollys Pharmacy branch in Roseau.

    Minister Blackmoore emphasized that fire personnel must have ‘immediate, unfettered access’ to functional hydrants during emergencies, sharply criticizing the current practice of having to locate personnel to unlock hydrants during critical moments. ‘This nonsense of having to call men when they are sleeping and looking for someone to come unlock hydrants has to stop in this country,’ Blackmoore stated unequivocally.

    The comprehensive audit will be conducted jointly by the Fire and Ambulance Services and the Dominica Water and Sewerage Company Ltd (DOWASCO), with particular focus on housing development areas to ensure both sufficient numbers and strategic placement of hydrants. The minister framed the recent fire as a learning opportunity to evaluate emergency response effectiveness and address systemic gaps in the island’s disaster preparedness infrastructure.

    Authorities have confirmed the March incident resulted in no injuries but revealed pressing needs for infrastructure modernization. In response, the government has mobilized multiple resources including financial incentives for fire personnel as part of broader efforts to upgrade the island’s emergency response capabilities.

  • Paddlers Received at Belcan Bridge with Drums and Roaring Cheers

    Paddlers Received at Belcan Bridge with Drums and Roaring Cheers

    In an unprecedented display of solidarity, participants of the 2026 La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge transformed the traditional competition into a powerful protest march on March 9th. More than twenty canoe teams arrived at Belcan Bridge in perfect synchronization, creating a striking visual of unity as they paddled in a single straight formation with no team advancing ahead of others.

    The emotional arrival was amplified by hundreds of supporters who gathered at the bridge with drums, music, and enthusiastic cheers. As the canoes approached, paddlers raised their oars and Belizean flags in a coordinated gesture of national pride and collective purpose.

    Participants articulated that their demonstration aimed to preserve the fundamental spirit of the historic race. One competitor emphasized to News 5 Belize: ‘The people are the ones that support us and motivate us and give us the strength to paddle.’ Another paddler framed the protest in emotional terms: ‘This is about love; it’s about Belize. We don’t want the race to die out.’

    Jesus Linares, President of the Belize Canoe Association, who actively participated in organizing the protest arrival, stated: ‘A lot of people thought this was talking, but this was not all talking.’ The movement garnered support from former participants as well, with ex-paddler Raynard Humphreys noting from the Civic Center observation point: ‘I am extremely impressed and proud to see that our Belizeans, for once, we stand up to something.’

    The demonstration represents a significant moment in Belizean sporting culture, showcasing how athletic events can serve as platforms for community expression and cultural preservation.