标签： Barbados

Julian Pierre, First Vice-President of the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) and Chairman of its Occupational Safety and Health Committee, has reiterated the urgent need for a standardized industrial cleaning schedule across all public schools. This appeal follows the repeated closure of Deacons Primary School due to a persistent rodent infestation. Speaking to Barbados TODAY during the union’s Professional Development Workshop at Sky Mall, Pierre highlighted that Deacons Primary School was forced to shut down twice in one week—on Monday and again on Thursday—due to the ongoing issue. He also revealed that St Matthew’s Primary School faced similar challenges in recent weeks. Pierre emphasized that while industrial cleaning was conducted at Deacons Primary School, rodent droppings were still found in several areas, underscoring the need for thorough and consistent cleaning practices. He called on the Ministry of Educational Transformation to ensure that cleaning contractors adhere to stringent health and safety standards. Pierre acknowledged recent improvements in the management of the Education Technical Management Unit (ETMU), which has implemented rodent-proofing measures such as installing door sweeps and sealing gaps. However, he stressed the importance of establishing a formal maintenance schedule, particularly during school holidays, to prevent infestations and maintain healthy learning environments. Pierre noted that many older schools have not undergone deep cleaning in over a decade, with some never having received industrial cleaning at all. Despite these challenges, he commended the ETMU for its increased accountability and improved oversight of contractors. The Ministry of Education Transformation has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the latest closure of Deacons Primary School.

A 66-year-old man, Audwyn Marshall, tragically passed away during his routine morning walk along the Mighty Grynner Highway on Thursday. Marshall, a resident of Wilkinson Road, Lower Richmond Gap, St Michael, was discovered unresponsive near Stansfield Scott & Co. Ltd. at the southern end of the highway. His family believes he may have succumbed to a heart attack, a suspicion later confirmed by local authorities. The incident came to light when a passerby recognized Marshall and promptly alerted the police, who then informed his family. Shaddriese Marshall, his great niece, recounted how the police arrived at their home to deliver the devastating news. ‘A lady passing by noticed him and knew him,’ she shared. ‘My mom came down to identify the body.’ Marshall was remembered as a reserved individual who cherished moments with his family and led a quiet life. His sudden demise has left his loved ones in deep sorrow.

In the wake of the tragic shooting of 30-year-old Kadeem Jelani Maycock on Wednesday, members of the Executive Coalition NGO are advocating for intensified community-driven initiatives to address escalating violence. Maycock, a resident of 3rd Avenue, Chapman Lane, St Michael, was fatally shot near his home, where he had been living with his grandmother until her passing two months prior. Henderson Williams, Chief Executive Officer of the Coalition, recounted that the incident occurred while he and his team were engaging with locals about the forthcoming ‘We Gatherin” activities, slated to commence in November. Williams emphasized that this tragedy highlights the pressing necessity for robust social engagement and youth intervention programs to curb violence in vulnerable neighborhoods. He reiterated the Coalition’s dedication to collaborating with government bodies and community members to foster trust and reinforce neighborhood unity.

Authorities are actively investigating a deadly shooting incident that took place on Wednesday evening at 3rd Avenue, Chapman Lane, in St. Michael. The tragic event unfolded around 7:45 p.m., claiming the life of 30-year-old Kadeem Jelani Maycock, a resident of the same address. According to preliminary reports, Maycock was seated among a group of individuals when an unidentified assailant, wearing a mask, approached and fired multiple shots at him. Emergency services were promptly dispatched to the scene, but Maycock was found unresponsive and showed no signs of life. A medical doctor later confirmed his death at the location. The St. Michael Police Department has issued a public appeal for information, urging anyone who witnessed the incident or possesses relevant details to come forward. Witnesses are encouraged to contact the Criminal Investigations Department at 430-7189 or 430-7190, the Police Emergency number 211, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477. The investigation remains ongoing as law enforcement seeks to uncover the motive behind the shooting and identify the perpetrator.

Several months ago, I purchased a delicate piece of measuring equipment. Upon its arrival, I meticulously inspected it, stored it safely, and studied its manual to avoid any mishaps. Over time, as I used it repeatedly and confirmed its reliability, I began to trust its durability and no longer treated it as fragile. This experience draws a parallel to how people approach the Bible. Many keep it untouched, unread, or approach it with fear and skepticism, often influenced by misconceptions. However, the Bible is far from fragile; it is a robust and transformative document that has shaped human history. The Bible encompasses the teachings of Jesus, prophetic guidance from God, detailed historical accounts spanning 4,000 years, genealogies, proverbs, songs, and predictions of future events. Authored by various individuals over millennia, it stands as an unparalleled historical and spiritual classic. Its authenticity is supported by archaeological findings and historical standards, such as the documented existence of Jesus and His crucifixion under Pontius Pilate. Reading the Bible offers profound insights into humanity’s past, present, and future. It encourages endurance, understanding, and hope. Some seek hidden codes or patterns within its text, such as the recurring mention of fourteen generations in Matthew’s Gospel. This pattern has sparked discussions about transformative figures like Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed, who emerged fourteen generations apart. Mohammed, a descendant of Abraham through Ishmael, initially preached monotheism and the teachings of the Bible before his message evolved. Over subsequent generations, religious leaders across Judaism, Christianity, and Islam often prioritized tradition over the Bible’s teachings, leading to conflicts and misunderstandings. Identifying transformative figures in the fourteen-generation pattern remains a complex but intriguing endeavor. The Bible, as a historical and spiritual guide, continues to inspire and challenge readers to reflect on their lives and the world around them.

This week, the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) is celebrating Teachers’ Week by honoring 11 remarkable educators with the esteemed Top TIER Awards. These awards recognize their unwavering dedication, impactful service, and profound influence on students’ lives. The culmination of the week-long celebration will be the President’s Reception, scheduled for Friday at 7 pm at the BUT Headquarters in Merryhill, Welches. Here, the awardees will receive both the President’s Choice and Top TIER Awards under the theme, “Teachers – The Heart of Educational Transformation.”

The 2023 recipients include Jeffrey Odle (President’s Choice – St Leonard’s Boys’), Bradley Murray (Lester Vaughan School), Ulric Batson (Hilda Skeene Primary), Hugh Griffith (Ignatius Byer Primary), Shamel Edwards (Ministry of Educational Transformation), Sonia Wickham (St Luke’s Brighton Primary), Fabian Massiah (St Leonard’s Boys’), Erika Leacock (The Lodge School), Natasha Agard (St Lucy’s Primary), Brenda Chaplin-Edwards-Drakes (Gordon Greenidge Primary), and Joanne Derrick-Harris (Derrick Smith School and Vocational Centre).

According to Cherise Rock, BUT Public Relations Officer, the Top TIER Award celebrates educators who “inspire, encourage, and respect” their students and colleagues. Rock also announced the first Top TIER teacher for 2025, emphasizing the award’s significance in recognizing excellence in education.

Shamel Edwards, a peripatetic reading teacher at the Ministry of Educational Transformation, expressed her gratitude for the recognition. “I feel so honored and blessed. I do everything with my heart, and their win is a win for me,” she said. Meanwhile, Jeffrey Odle, the President’s Choice Awardee from St Leonard’s Boys’ School, shared his joy after over 40 years in education, stating, “It’s probably the first time I’ve been recognized for anything.”

Fabian Massiah, a Physical Education teacher at St Leonard’s Boys’, also expressed his gratitude, saying, “Twenty-one years isn’t 21 days. I do it for the boys, and I believe my purpose is here.”

Teachers’ Week will continue with a Professional Development Workshop on Thursday at the Sky Mall Seminar Room, focusing on the theme “AI is Here,” before concluding with Friday’s President’s Reception, where the Top TIER teachers will be formally honored.

In an innovative approach to fostering understanding and inclusion, Blackman and Gollop Primary School transformed its school hall into a vibrant classroom filled with curiosity and laughter. On Wednesday, a puppet show organized by the Kiwanis Club Pride of Barbados and the Barbados Council for the Disabled helped young students grasp the realities of living with cerebral palsy. Using colorful puppets and engaging storytelling, the event aimed to educate children about disabilities in a relatable and accessible way. Roseanna Tudor, Operations Manager of the Barbados Council for the Disabled, emphasized the importance of early awareness. ‘Our puppetry programme, part of Disability Awareness Day celebrations, has been instrumental in teaching primary school and nursery children how to interact with and understand their peers with disabilities,’ she explained. Tudor also highlighted the need for teacher training to support inclusive education, stressing the necessity of sensory rooms, calm spaces, and resources for children with ADHD or autism. The puppet show featured Carl, a character with cerebral palsy, whose story illustrated the challenges of movement and coordination. Puppeteers like Joy-Ann Grazette-Corbin addressed students’ questions, showcasing how children with disabilities can thrive with proper support. Sheldene Williams, a teacher at the school, shared her experience of having a student with cerebral palsy in her class, noting how inclusion has enriched the learning environment. ‘Through Isabelle, our students are learning that everyone, regardless of ability, has something valuable to contribute,’ she said. The Barbados Council for the Disabled plans to expand the puppetry programme to more schools, building on the overwhelmingly positive response from this event.