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  • Technology : AI in quality control before final validation of State exam results

    Technology : AI in quality control before final validation of State exam results

    Haiti’s public education administration system has hit a new landmark in its digital modernization journey. Fresh off successful reforms that revolutionized the grading process for the country’s official 9th AF exams, the Northeast Departmental Directorate of Education (DDE-NE) has become one of the first regional education bodies in Haiti to integrate artificial intelligence into the quality assurance workflow for official state exam results, rolling out the new tool to uphold fairness in student assessments.

    The core mission guiding this adoption is straightforward: to ensure every student receives a final grade that accurately reflects their own academic merit. In its new role, AI supports human education teams by powering data verification, flagging inconsistent datasets, identifying potential scoring or processing anomalies, and conducting comprehensive reviews before official results are formally validated.

    Crucially, DDE-NE officials stress that the AI system is not designed to replace the education professionals that lead the exam process, including inspectors, data entry specialists and quality control analysts. Instead, it acts as a supplementary decision-support tool that boosts the accuracy, reliability and transparency of the entire assessment pipeline.

    Even small scoring or processing errors can reshape a student’s academic trajectory, opening lasting gaps in access to higher education and future opportunity. For the DDE-NE, this risk justified turning to cutting-edge technology to protect every candidate’s right to a fair evaluation. Behind every exam script are months of dedicated study, significant family financial and personal sacrifices, and a young person’s hope for a more stable future. That stakes mean there is no room for procedural inaccuracies in result processing.

    With the AI-powered system in place, every candidate’s result goes through multiple layers of enhanced checking, ensuring the final published grade aligns precisely with the work the student completed. The DDE-NE reaffirmed that all final decisions on results remain in the hands of trained education staff, while AI adds an extra layer of analytical capability that catches avoidable human error and strengthens public trust in the exam system.

    In a statement accompanying the rollout, the DDE-NE framed the initiative as a blueprint for the future of Haitian education. The department noted that modern, responsible and innovative governance is the foundation of strong public schools, and that this innovation is rooted in one non-negotiable principle: equal fairness for every student.

    “Our commitment is clear: no candidate should be penalized by an avoidable error. Every student has the right to an assessment that accurately reflects their work,” the statement read. “By putting artificial intelligence at the service of official examinations, we are making technology an instrument of educational fairness and public trust.”

  • Revenue Bill Debate Turns Personal for Tax Workers

    Revenue Bill Debate Turns Personal for Tax Workers

    As the debate over Belize’s landmark Revenue Authority Bill intensifies, what began as a policy discussion has devolved into a heated clash over respect for public sector workers, with labor leaders and government officials trading sharp disagreements over the proposed reform’s purpose and impact. The controversy erupted after Prime Minister John Briceño made comments framing the proposed semi-autonomous revenue agency as a structure better suited to hire staff with specialized tax expertise, leaving current employees of the Belize Tax Service (BTS) feeling their qualifications were being publicly undermined. Briceño has pushed back aggressively against that interpretation, defending his comments as a reflection of structural limitations in the existing public sector framework, not a knock on current workers.

  • Protecting Belizeans from Secondhand Smoke

    Protecting Belizeans from Secondhand Smoke

    By 2026, Belize is moving forward with landmark public health legislation that could reshape how tobacco is used across the country’s public spaces, bringing in sweeping new protections for non-smokers against the dangers of secondhand smoke. The ambitious Tobacco Control Bill, which received its first debate in Belize’s House of Representatives on August 1, is aimed at safeguarding both current and future generations from the well-documented health risks linked to tobacco consumption and passive smoke exposure.

    According to Health and Wellness Minister Kevin Bernard, the proposed policy rests on three core evidence-based pillars that align with global gold-standard public health practices. First, the bill seeks to create 100% smoke-free environments across all public spaces. Second, it enforces a total ban on all forms of tobacco advertising, promotion and industry sponsorship of public events. Third, it requires that tobacco product packaging carry clear, truthful warnings that fully disclose the life-threatening health hazards of tobacco use. Bernard emphasized that these measures are not untested innovations for Belize; they have been widely implemented across the globe, with rigorous data confirming their effectiveness in cutting smoking rates, reducing non-smokers’ exposure to toxic secondhand smoke, and preventing thousands of preventable deaths annually.

    The proposed regulatory framework outlines specific restricted smoking zones to expand protections: outdoor public spaces including parks, playgrounds, amusement parks, sports stadiums, historic heritage sites, and dining and drinking service areas will all be designated non-smoking. Additionally, smoking is prohibited within 8 meters of any building window and within 5 meters of any outdoor public space entrance. Beyond smoke-free policies, the bill mandates strict age verification processes for all tobacco purchases, and formalizes a ban on selling tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 – a provision that has earned cross-party backing.

    While the opposition has expressed full support for the underage sales ban, it has raised key procedural and economic concerns about the proposed legislation. Opposition Leader Tracy Panton questioned whether the government had completed sufficient consultation with local businesses that would be affected by the new rules, pointing to unanswered questions about the economic impact of new compliance requirements on small and medium enterprises. Panton also called for a clear, adequate transition period to allow businesses to adjust to the new regulations, noting that meaningful compliance can only be achieved if rules are practical, rather than inherently punitive.

    As the bill moves forward through the legislative process, it represents a major step for Belize in aligning its national public health policy with global best practices for tobacco control, with the ultimate goal of reducing preventable tobacco-related illness and death across the country.

  • Opposition Challenges BEL Share Purchase

    Opposition Challenges BEL Share Purchase

    A controversial proposal to acquire additional equity in Belize’s primary national power utility has ignited a heated political debate in Belize, centered on whether the government is committing tens of millions of taxpayer dollars without sufficient parliamentary and public oversight. Scheduled for a critical Senate debate this coming Tuesday, the plan, formally introduced as the Belize Electricity Investment Bill 2026 during last Friday’s House of Representatives session, would see the government draw $73 million from the country’s Consolidated Revenue Fund to purchase 8,138,020 convertible, redeemable shares in Belize Electricity Limited (BEL).

    Prime Minister John Briceño framed the initiative as a forward-thinking investment in Belize’s long-term energy security, noting that the legislation grants the legal authority for the government to build on its already substantial stake in the critical national utility. Currently, the government of Belize holds 66% of BEL’s outstanding shares, with an additional 30% held by the country’s Social Security Board, meaning more than 96% of the utility is already publicly owned.

    However, Opposition Leader Tracy Panton has raised sharp questions about the lack of transparency surrounding the spending plan, arguing that parliament is being asked to approve a nine-figure expenditure of public money without access to all the data required to fulfill its constitutional oversight duties. Panton emphasized that the opposition supports BEL’s success as a people-owned asset, but that the public is owed a clearer breakdown of why this immediate purchase is necessary, and whether the move functions as an unacknowledged bailout for the utility rather than a planned strategic investment.

    Minister of Public Utilities Michel Chebat pushed back against the opposition’s criticism, defending the government’s timeline and rationale. Chebat noted that robust economic growth across Belize has driven a sharp, sustained increase in national electricity demand, requiring BEL to make large-scale investments to expand and upgrade the country’s aging transmission and distribution infrastructure. The government argues that increasing public equity in the utility will enable the critical upgrades needed to support growing economic activity, while keeping the power sector entirely under national control.

    The proposal has drawn public attention amid ongoing discussions about fiscal responsibility and energy policy in Belize, with the Senate’s upcoming vote set to determine whether the government can move forward with drawing funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the share purchase. This report is adapted from a transcript of an original televised evening newscast.

  • Revellers say Grand Kadooment experience worth the cost

    Revellers say Grand Kadooment experience worth the cost

    As debates continue to swirl around the steepening price tags of Grand Kadooment parade costumes, hundreds of revellers who took part in Monday’s iconic street celebration say the once-in-a-lifetime experience more than justifies the expense — with many international visitors insisting every dollar spent on the festivities was well worth it.

    For Zell and Ortez Hurley, the journey all the way from the United Kingdom to join Crop Over with the popular Aura Experience band was a dream come true, and the pair have nothing but glowing praise for this year’s event. Speaking exclusively to Barbados TODAY on the parade route, the couple labeled the 2024 festival an unforgettable experience that lived up to every bit of their long-held expectations. When asked about the investment they made in their festival outfits, they confirmed each custom costume cost approximately £500.

    The Hurleys did not limit their Crop Over experience to just the Grand Kadooment parade, instead packing their schedule with a full slate of pre-parade activities tied to the festival calendar. “The Sundown fete was complimentary for all Aura Experience participants, we also joined the beloved breakfast fete hosted by Island Mas, and we have plans to attend Cohobblopot this coming Tuesday — Ortez has never had the chance to experience it before,” Zell Hurley shared.

    While Hurley says he is eager to see the Cohobblopot show, he did admit surprise at the festival organizers’ decision to shift the event from its decades-long traditional slot on Sunday night. “For someone who grew up here on the island, this change came as quite a shock. For generations, Cohobblopot was held the night before Grand Kadooment — it gave audiences the chance to see the competing band kings and queens show off their elaborate costumes, and watch top soca royalty perform. Then you could ease into the big jump-up day on Monday. Moving it to Tuesday does change the traditional flow that leads into Kadooment Day. But that doesn’t mean we aren’t still excited to see how the new scheduling works out, we’re looking forward to it all the same,” he explained. Despite the small scheduling shake-up, Hurley emphasized that the entire festival has run seamlessly so far. “I haven’t encountered any logistical missteps or issues at all right now, the whole operation has been really well organized,” he added.

    Roshae Daniel, a first-time Crop Over attendee visiting from Queens, New York who has Bajan family heritage, also pulled out all the stops for her first festival experience, purchasing a premium VIP package from Aura that cost close to $2,000 USD. “I asked a lot of people who have attended Crop Over before which band was the best to jump with, and everyone told me Aura was the top choice. It’s my first time ever coming to the festival, so I figured if you’re going to do it, you might as well go all in,” she said.

    For Daniel, the hefty price tag was completely justified by the quality of the experience. “It was 100 percent worth the investment. The band provided continuous fresh food throughout the parade, they gave out amazing goodie bags filled with custom cups, useful accessories and all kinds of great extras, everything was really well thought out. I would do this whole experience a thousand times over without a second thought,” she shared.

    Daniel also made sure to pack her trip with as many diverse Crop Over activities as possible ahead of Grand Kadooment, attending the popular Neon Jouvert and Sun Mas events to soak up every part of the culture. “I absolutely love the Bajan culture here, the incredible sense of community that wraps around the whole festival… it’s just so much fun,” she said with a laugh, adding “I already got to meet the artist Spice while I’ve been here, that was such a cool surprise. Fingers crossed I also get the chance to run into Rihanna while I’m on island.”

    Daniel, who is staying at the Sugar Bay resort during her visit, also praised the hotel’s warm hospitality, noting that the wide variety of high-quality vegetarian dining options available exceeded all of her expectations.

  • Belize Faces Power Pressure as Mexico’s Grid Struggles

    Belize Faces Power Pressure as Mexico’s Grid Struggles

    Dated August 3, 2026, this report examines a growing energy security crisis rippling across Central America, where Mexico’s struggling national power grid has left neighboring Belize facing growing risks of blackouts and spiking energy costs for residential and commercial consumers.

    For decades, Belize has structured its national energy mix around three core sources: imported electricity from Mexico, domestic fossil fuel generation, and locally produced renewable energy, all overseen by the national utility Belize Electricity Limited (BEL). But in recent years, this long-standing model has fractured, as Mexico confronts a deepening domestic energy crisis driven by overlapping climate and infrastructure challenges.

    Lynn Young, Executive Chairman of BEL, explained that climate change has amplified strain on energy systems on both sides of the border. Rising average temperatures driven by global climate change have triggered a surge in electricity demand, as households and businesses ramp up air conditioning use to cope with extreme heat. “They have been having similar challenges to us with the challenges brought on by climate change,” Young noted in an interview. “That’s something that happens everywhere. It’s happening in Mexico too, so they are having challenges meeting the demand. And when they have the challenges, then sometimes they can’t supply us.”

    While Mexico has begun developing new gas-fired generation facilities to close the supply gap, the projects have faced persistent delays linked to fuel supply shortages. Young acknowledged that these infrastructure upgrades will take years to reach full operation, leaving Belize vulnerable to unreliable imported power through the medium term.

    The crisis extends beyond supply reliability: as Mexico’s domestic demand outpaces supply, the cost of imported electricity has jumped sharply, passing higher expenses directly to Belizean consumers. Rosanety Barrios, an independent energy consultant based in Mexico, confirmed that the crisis has escalated steadily in recent years. She emphasized that Mexico’s core issue is a long-standing shortage of energy infrastructure that has slowed broader economic growth, as industrial investors avoid the country over concerns about consistent power access. “We have a problem with insufficient infrastructure,” Barrios explained. “On top of that, of course, demand normally rises every year as a result of both a growing population and let’s say, the heat, which is becoming an increasingly significant factor worldwide.”

    With Mexico’s crisis showing no near-term resolution, Belize has floated the idea of diversifying its foreign energy imports by adding Guatemala as a second supplier. Early exploratory talks between the two nations have already begun, and preliminary feasibility studies are being funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). But Young warned that a cross-border transmission connection with Guatemala is not a quick fix. “Just the studies alone might take another year or two before we come up with what’s the right size transmission lines, and then you have to start negotiating commercial agreements, not to mention the country level political aspect of it,” Young said. “So that’s gonna take a while before we can do that.”

    Instead, BEL is focusing on a long-term domestic strategy to reduce Belize’s dependence on foreign power. The utility is moving forward with plans to scale up local solar energy generation and accelerate development of other domestic energy resources, with the explicit goal of cutting reliance on costly, unreliable imports from Mexico. Young acknowledged that Belizean consumers are already feeling the financial pressure of higher monthly electricity bills, but he expressed optimism that targeted investments in domestic energy will deliver lower, more stable costs for households within the next several years. This report from Britney Gordon aired for News Five, Belize’s leading evening news broadcast.

  • PM Briceño Says Broadcasting Bill Is Not Censorship

    PM Briceño Says Broadcasting Bill Is Not Censorship

    As the proposed new Broadcasting Bill continues to spark fierce public debate, Belizean Prime Minister John Briceño has stepped forward to push back against accusations that the legislation is a deliberate effort to censor free media, framing the proposal as a long-overdue regulatory update for the modern digital media landscape.

    Briceño emphasized that the core goal of the bill is not to silence independent voices or restrict press freedom, but to address a growing regulatory gap created by the explosion of revenue-generating social media and online news platforms. For years, established traditional media outlets including television channels, radio stations and licensed print publications have operated under clear industry guidelines and accountability standards, but unregulated online news outlets and blogs have been able to operate entirely outside these rules, even as they earn significant revenue from advertising and other commercial activities, the prime minister explained.

    He argued that this unequal regulatory framework has put traditional licensed media outlets at an unfair competitive disadvantage. Many unregulated online platforms routinely publish unvetted information and unconfirmed rumors without fact-checking, eroding public trust in news overall while still profiting from their content. Because these outlets deliver a public service through news distribution, Briceño said, they must be held to the same rigorous journalistic and operational standards that apply to established outlets such as Love FM, KREM, Channel 7 and Channel 5.

    “There’s nothing about censorship. I don’t know how you can come to that,” Briceño told reporters. “Technology has changed, so we can’t continue using the same legislation that was addressing technology of the 1990s. We have to keep up with that, so it has absolutely nothing to do with censorship.”

    As of August 3, 2026, the proposed Broadcasting Bill remains in the public consultation phase, with stakeholders and members of the public still able to submit feedback and recommendations before the legislation moves forward for formal debate and voting. This report is adapted from a transcript of a televised evening newscast.

  • Kadooment vendors chase festival profits

    Kadooment vendors chase festival profits

    When thousands of revellers and spectators flooded the streets for Grand Kadooment 2026, the parade route transformed into a bustling open-air food market, where local and visiting food vendors offered attendees a diverse spread of beloved Caribbean and regional culinary staples. From savoury fried fishcakes and juicy grilled burgers to hearty warming soups and ice-cold refreshing beverages, vendors worked nonstop to meet the steady demand from crowds gathered to watch the vibrant, colourful festival procession unfold.

    One of the first vendors to set up and start serving for the day was Elijah Tafari, chef and founder of Rubes Extraordinary Fishcakes, a well-known local eatery that has built a loyal following across Barbados. Tafari was at his fryer by early dawn, prepping batter and cooking fresh batches of his signature product to serve the steady stream of early arriving festival-goers. Speaking exclusively to Barbados TODAY from his stall on Pelican Island, Tafari shared the secret behind his brand’s decade-long success: his commitment to authentic, filling fishcakes packed with actual fish, which stands as the business’s flagship offering. “Fishcakes are our core product, seven days a week. We offer other items between our main preparation – ham cutters, steakfish sandwiches, and weekly chicken soup on Wednesdays – but we would never open for business without our signature fishcakes ready to serve,” he explained. Now 11 years into running his business, which Tafari launched from a small spot in Collymore Rock, this Grand Kadooment marked his third time participating as an official parade route vendor. With business moving at a steady, strong pace, he shared that he was already pleased with how the day was going, and joked confidently about his product’s superiority over competing vendors: “We take first, second and third place, we leave the rest of the competition to fight for the spots after that.”

    Further down the parade route in the Eagle Hall neighbourhood, first-time Grand Kadooment vendor Shane Thomas, a Jamaican cuisine specialist, called out cheerfully to passing crowds, inviting attendees to sample his signature pigtail red soup. Starting his day at 7 a.m., Thomas has leaned into the authentic roots of his dish, which is made with traditional red peas, slow-cooked pigtail, fresh okra, and creamy coconut milk to deliver an authentic taste of Jamaican street food to festival-goers. “Hot ready red soup, yard man style, good for man, woman and child – everything is fresh and clean, come stop by for a bite,” his call went out to passersby. By midday, Thomas reported that business had exceeded his expectations, and he already confirmed his plans to return as a vendor for Grand Kadooment in 2027, saying simply: “I won’t leave next year.”

    Not all vendors experienced the same level of success, however. Collis King, who set up his burger and hot dog stall directly opposite the Eagle Hall Library – a spot where hundreds of spectators gathered to watch the parade bands pass – said that business had been far slower than he anticipated. King has been set up since 9 a.m. selling burgers, hot dogs, and cold beverages, and shared that his decision to return for the 2027 festival will depend entirely on whether he can turn a profit by the end of the day.

    Across the entire parade route, vendors offered a wide range of treats beyond signature dishes, including fried chicken, additional fishcake options, popcorn, assorted packaged snacks, and a variety of cold beverages to keep attendees cool through the day. To protect public health, local health inspectors also made regular rounds throughout the event, conducting unannounced spot checks to confirm that all vendors were following required food safety and handling standards. This routine monitoring ensured that festival-goers could enjoy their meals without unnecessary health risks during the day-long celebration.

  • Government Moves to Rename DFC as Development Bank of Belize

    Government Moves to Rename DFC as Development Bank of Belize

    In a parliamentary debate held on August 3, 2026, the government of Belize introduced a proposal to rebrand the country’s 63-year-old Development Finance Corporation (DFC) as the Development Bank of Belize, framing the name change as a foundational step to revitalize the institution and expand its role in driving national development. The initiative, however, quickly devolved into a heated public exchange between opposition lawmaker Lee Mark Chang and Prime Minister John Briceño, drawing attention to unresolved questions about the DFC’s controversial history.

    Chang, the area representative for Mesopotamia, pushed back against the proposal, arguing that a superficial name change cannot erase past scandals and mismanagement linked to the long-standing financial institution. He challenged the government to be transparent about the motivations behind the sudden rebranding, noting that the move appears aimed at shedding the DFC’s damaged reputation rather than addressing underlying systemic issues. “We have to look back to what happened in the past to understand why this name change is being pushed forward right now,” Chang stated during the debate, rejecting the government’s framing of the change as a simple administrative adjustment.

    Briceño defended the proposal, emphasizing that the legislative session was only tasked with approving the name change itself, not reopening debates about the DFC’s history. The exchange quickly turned personal when Briceño attempted to dismiss Chang’s questioning, suggesting the lawmaker’s judgment was clouded by heavy medication following a recent surgery. The comment drew an immediate point of order from Chang, who denied he has remained on medication since the second day of his procedure and accused the prime minister of improperly discrediting his arguments by implying he was unfit to deliberate.

    Briceño doubled down on the personal jab in follow-up remarks, reiterating his claim that Chang struggles with clear reasoning without medication, further escalating tensions on the parliamentary floor. Founded in 1963, the DFC has operated under its original name for more than six decades, and the rebranding proposal represents one of the most significant changes to the institution in its modern history. While the government positions the name change as part of a broader push to strengthen Belize’s development finance infrastructure, critics like Chang argue that the government is avoiding accountability for past missteps by focusing on a rebrand rather than substantive reform.

    This report is adapted from a transcribed broadcast of evening television news in Belize.

  • Sex Offenders Registry Bill Gets Broad Support in the House

    Sex Offenders Registry Bill Gets Broad Support in the House

    Nearly half a year of public and legislative debate has culminated in a pivotal step for Belize’s criminal justice reform, as a bill to open the country’s National Sex Offenders Registry to public access has advanced to floor debate in the nation’s National Assembly.

    The Criminal Code Amendment Bill, which would codify the public registry framework, underwent its second reading in the House of Representatives on Friday, August 3, 2026, and earned widespread backing from across the legislative chamber. Despite this broad consensus on the core goal of increasing public transparency and community safety, leading opposition figures have pushed for greater accountability around the supporting systems needed to make the new law effective.

    Opposition Leader Tracy Panton emphasized that the debate over the registry must not end with approving public access. In remarks to the House, Panton confirmed that the opposition bloc would support the legislation, but pressed the ruling government to confirm that sufficient resources and infrastructure are in place to serve victims, who stand as the primary beneficiaries of the reform.

    Panton outlined a range of unaddressed needs, including a sufficiently trained corps of investigators, upgraded forensic testing capacity, expanded and fully funded victim support services, dedicated counseling staff, safe emergency shelters for survivors, sustained DNA testing capabilities, and specialized prosecutors trained to handle sexual offense cases. She noted that without these critical supporting structures, a standalone law amounts to little more than an unenforceable policy suggestion.

    “Laws without having the level of support necessary for operationalizing and protecting the primary beneficiaries of this act is really a mere suggestion,” Panton told the chamber, echoing concerns raised by fellow legislator representing Orange Walk East.

    Foreign Affairs Minister Francis Fonseca, responding to Panton’s remarks, acknowledged the validity of her concerns. He confirmed that multiple government ministries and a wide range of stakeholders have been involved in crafting the bill from its earliest stages, and all parties have recognized the urgent need for supporting infrastructure to give the law tangible impact.

    “She is absolutely right, the resources, support infrastructure is important to giving teeth, meaning to these bills,” Fonseca said. “I know that there are a number of ministries that have been engaged in this work, in putting this bill together, a great number of stake holders and I think everybody has recognized that point and pledged their support to making sure we don’t only have the legislation in place but also to provide the supporting infrastructure.”

    Beyond legislative circles, the proposed amendment has also garnered broad approval from members of the Belizean public, who have repeatedly called for greater transparency around sex offender residency and conviction data to protect local communities. The bill now moves forward in the legislative process, with commitments from all parties to address implementation gaps before it takes effect.