标签： Antigua and Barbuda

The Ministry of Works has issued a public advisory regarding scheduled night works in Booby Alley. The operations, set to take place tonight, will involve the use of heavy-duty equipment, necessitating heightened caution from the public. Motorists are specifically requested to comply with designated detours and follow all instructions provided by traffic control personnel. The Ministry emphasizes the importance of safety during these operations and appreciates the public’s cooperation in ensuring a smooth and secure process. Residents and commuters in the affected area are encouraged to plan their routes accordingly to minimize inconvenience.

The ambitious expansion of The University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus has reached a pivotal milestone, with the design phase now officially concluded. Education Minister Daryl Matthew convened a crucial meeting on Tuesday with representatives from the Saudi Fund for Development, the government’s key development partner, to assess progress and outline the next steps. The meeting marked the beginning of a series of sessions involving the development team, project management team, government officials, and other stakeholders to ensure alignment and momentum.

Detailed renderings for the dormitory buildings and sports complex have been finalized, and construction drawings are expected to be completed within weeks. Upon finalization, the project will be opened for international tender, paving the way for construction to commence. Notably, the relocation of the Five Islands Primary School, which must be moved to accommodate the campus expansion, is already underway.

The new campus is designed to be a beacon of modernity and sustainability, incorporating cutting-edge features such as solar panels, advanced water treatment systems, comprehensive IT integration, and accessibility enhancements. A standout component of the development is the establishment of the School of Computing and Artificial Intelligence, which aims to integrate computer science across various academic disciplines.

Minister Matthew expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, ‘This is a very modern campus with a forward-thinking curriculum. It has the potential to transform not only our nation but also the entire region. I am thrilled to witness this transformative development in my lifetime.’ The expansion is poised to significantly enhance educational infrastructure and opportunities in the region, marking a new era for higher education in the Caribbean.

Lehana Simon, a distinguished accreditation officer from Antigua and Barbuda, has been elected to the board of the Caribbean Area Network for Quality Assurance in Tertiary Education (CANQATE). Simon, who currently serves with the Antigua and Barbuda National Accreditation Board (ABNAB), will play a pivotal role in advancing higher education standards across the Caribbean region. Her appointment underscores her unwavering dedication to quality assurance and brings a wealth of expertise to the organization. CANQATE, established in 2004 and headquartered in Jamaica, serves as a collaborative platform for accreditation agencies, government entities, and tertiary institutions. Its mission is to foster mutual recognition of qualifications, promote international best practices, and enhance educational quality across the Caribbean. ABNAB has publicly commended Simon, emphasizing that her selection reflects her significant contributions to the field and her ability to drive meaningful progress in regional education.

Resa B. Nelson, a 21-year-old student from Antigua, has been awarded the prestigious title of 2026 Caribbean Rhodes Scholar. The announcement was made in Barbados yesterday, following an intense selection process involving nine regional finalists. Nelson, who will pursue a Master’s in Biology by Research at the University of Oxford, expressed her deep gratitude and commitment to using this opportunity to benefit the Caribbean region. ‘I want to do amazing work that helps the Caribbean and its people,’ she said, emphasizing her focus on addressing critical needs in biosciences. Nelson also highlighted the significance of her achievement for Afro-Caribbean representation, particularly in the field of cell biology. Meanwhile, Lianna Williams, the sole Barbadian finalist, shared her aspirations to leverage economics to develop stronger social policies for Barbados and the wider Caribbean, tackling issues like youth violence, income inequality, and rising living costs.

In a significant move to enhance local infrastructure, road improvement works are currently underway in Seatons today. This initiative is a key component of a larger, community-wide effort to upgrade and modernize essential public facilities. The ongoing project aims to improve road safety, reduce traffic congestion, and ensure smoother transportation for residents and visitors alike. Local authorities have emphasized that these upgrades are part of a long-term strategy to bolster the region’s infrastructure, making it more resilient and efficient. The works are expected to continue for several weeks, with temporary traffic diversions in place to minimize disruption. Residents have been advised to plan their journeys accordingly and stay updated on progress through official channels.

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.