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Authorities in Antigua and Barbuda have issued an urgent plea for public assistance in locating 56-year-old Dawn Anjella Simon, a volunteer soldier with the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF), who has been reported missing. Simon, a resident of Bolans Village, was last seen in the Bolans area on Sunday, November 9, 2025. Despite extensive searches conducted by officers from the Bolans Police Station in surrounding communities, her whereabouts remain unknown. Simon is described as 5 feet 4 inches tall, with a brown complexion and medium build. The police are urging anyone with information to contact the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) at 462-3913, the Bolans Police Station at 462-1080, or call 911 immediately. The community’s cooperation is crucial in ensuring her safe return.

In a heartfelt letter to the editor, a concerned parent has shed light on the distressing conditions at Antigua Girls’ High School, calling for urgent intervention from the Ministry of Education. The parent, a single mother, expressed deep frustration over the school’s rigid enforcement of rules, which she claims has created an environment of fear and disrespect rather than discipline and learning.

Since the arrival of a new principal in September, the school’s atmosphere has shifted dramatically. Rules that were once enforced with reason and leniency are now applied with harsh rigidity. For instance, students are required to wear only Hoppers brand shoes, a policy that has caused significant hardship for families. The parent shared her own struggle: her daughter, unable to wear Hoppers due to a foot condition, was repeatedly sent home for wearing alternative shoes, despite the family’s financial constraints.

The letter also highlighted the emotional and physical toll on students. One incident involved a teacher punishing a student with spinal injuries by assigning her 200 lines to write three times, ignoring her medical condition. Another incident saw the principal publicly humiliating a student during Independence celebrations, leaving both the child and her mother deeply embarrassed.

Teachers, too, are reportedly suffering under the new administration, with many taking extended sick leave due to stress. The school’s internet is often turned off until late in the day, disrupting lessons and leaving both teachers and students unproductive.

Financial burdens on parents have also escalated. For the 2026 graduation, students are being asked to fundraise $20,000, including $7,000 for the church venue—a demand that is unrealistic in these challenging economic times.

The parent’s plea extends beyond her own child. She writes on behalf of all students and teachers who feel voiceless and overwhelmed. She urges the Ministry of Education to intervene, visit the school, and listen to the concerns of teachers, students, and parents without administrative interference. The parent emphasizes that discipline should build character, not break spirits, and calls for the restoration of Antigua Girls’ High School to a place of dignity, compassion, and learning.

Bernard de Nully, President of the Antigua Trades and Labour Union (AT&LU), has emphasized the critical need for increased dialogue and consultations to address the pressing challenges confronting workers across the Caribbean. His remarks followed a specially convened session of the Caribbean Conference of Labour, which united trade unionists and employer representatives to deliberate on workers’ rights and other urgent matters. The meeting, facilitated by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the CARICOM Secretariat, underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in achieving labor-related goals. De Nully highlighted the necessity of social dialogue, stating, ‘We came to the understanding that social dialogue is quintessentially important if we are to meet the objectives that we set for ourselves.’ Among the key issues discussed was migration, with de Nully stressing that all workers, regardless of nationality or migrant status, must be guaranteed the right to free association and trade union representation. ‘These are rights that are enshrined in our Constitution,’ he affirmed, reinforcing the legal foundation for these protections.