标签： Grenada

On the occasion of International Day of Education 2026, UNESCO’s Caribbean Regional Office Director Eric Falt has issued a compelling call to address the critical educational disparities facing young males across the region. While Caribbean youth continue to demonstrate remarkable capacity for innovation and social transformation, alarming data reveals a troubling pattern of male disengagement from formal education systems.

Statistical evidence indicates a pronounced gender gap in educational completion rates, with boys constituting the majority of out-of-school youth throughout the Caribbean. This trend manifests most severely at the upper secondary level, where male dropout rates reach concerning proportions. The consequences of this educational deficit extend far beyond the classroom, creating ripple effects that diminish economic prospects, limit life opportunities, and increase vulnerability to violence and high-risk behaviors.

UNESCO’s research underscores that traditional educational frameworks frequently fail to address the specific needs and learning styles of male students. The organization emphasizes that effective solutions must involve youth as active participants in designing the systems that shape their futures. Successful initiatives across the region demonstrate that when boys are given meaningful voice through Youth Forums, SDG 4 Youth networks, and community consultations, their educational engagement and success rates improve significantly.

Comprehensive approaches combining mentorship programs, digital skills training, and practical pathway connections have proven effective in maintaining male student motivation. Furthermore, UNESCO identifies the critical importance of addressing structural barriers including poverty, restrictive gender norms, inadequate school access, and insufficient workforce preparation programs.

The organization’s findings confirm that educated males demonstrate greater resilience against violence and social marginalization while contributing more substantially to family and community stability. UNESCO advocates for policy reforms that prioritize equitable funding, targeted support systems, and educational environments that reflect the lived experiences of all students.

This International Day of Education serves as both celebration and call to action—recognizing youth potential while demanding inclusive, responsive systems that transform disengagement into participation and unrealized potential into tangible achievement for every Caribbean student.

The Grenada Postal Corporation (GPC) has announced a significant operational transition for its St. George’s facilities. Beginning Monday, February 2, 2026, the corporation will temporarily relocate its main operations from Burns Point, the Public Workers Union Building collection point, and Bruce Street Post Office to a newly established facility within the National Cricket Stadium compound.

The relocation process will commence with the closure of the PWU Building collection point after Tuesday, January 27, 2026. A temporary suspension of GPC Global services is scheduled from January 28-30, 2026 to facilitate the physical transition of operations. Full services will resume at the new location on February 2, 2026, maintaining regular business hours from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM.

Customers can access the new facility through Gate 6 of the National Cricket Stadium via two primary routes: from the River Road Hump Bridge proceeding east on Queen’s Park Road, or from the Western Main Road heading west on Queen’s Park Road. Detailed directional instructions have been provided to ensure seamless navigation.

The corporation emphasizes that all essential services will remain uninterrupted following the relocation, including GPC Global, registered mail, standard letter and parcel post, express mail services, and postage stamp sales. Post Office box customers will maintain access to their boxes at both Burns Point and Bruce Street locations throughout the transition.

GPC management has expressed appreciation for customer understanding during this operational shift and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining service excellence throughout the relocation process.

The Grenadian government has launched a substantial cultural investment initiative exceeding EC$650,000 through its Community Steelpan Programme (COMS-PAN), signaling a strategic commitment to youth development and cultural preservation across Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique. The program officially commenced in Carriacou on January 16, 2026, with targeted participation of 20 youth per parish in selected communities.

Tourism, Creative Economy and Culture Minister Adrian Thomas characterized the investment as foundational to Grenada’s cultural future, emphasizing that national development extends beyond physical infrastructure. “Investment doesn’t always refer to roads, bridges or buildings. We must also invest in music and culture,” Minister Thomas stated. He compared the creative economy’s potential to “a volcano, just waiting to erupt,” noting its capacity to generate foreign exchange comparable to traditional exports like nutmeg and cocoa.

The government’s vision includes achieving self-sufficiency in steelpan production and maintenance. While initial instruments were sourced from Trinidad, Minister Thomas outlined plans to develop local expertise: “We want to develop our own tuners. We do not want to continue depending on others. We want to build our own capacity.”

Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs Minister Tevin Andrews welcomed the program as tangible action against cultural decline. “This is not lip service. We recognise the challenges facing our culture, and while some say it is dying, we are taking deliberate action to revive it,” Minister Andrews asserted. He expressed aspirations to reestablish steelpan music across communities as historically present in L’Esterre, Harvey Vale, Six Roads, Mt Royal and Bogles.

Chief Cultural Officer Kelvin Jacob explained that COMS-PAN addresses systemic challenges including instrument accessibility and the absence of structured musical ensembles. “The goal is to expand community steelpan ensembles as hubs for youth development, cultural celebration and sustainable growth,” Jacob noted, adding that the vision includes training arrangers, tuners and manufacturers to ensure long-term cultural sustainability.

The program will operate from the Mt Royal panhouse, home of Shakespeare Mas, with weekly classes scheduled Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5-7 PM.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Lands and Forestry has officially announced the commencement of ornamental plant sales for the year 2026. According to the Agronomy Division, the sales operation will initiate on Monday, January 26th, 2026, at the Ashenden Propagation Station.

The ministry has established specific operational protocols for the event, confirming that onsite payment facilities will be available exclusively during designated hours. Prospective purchasers may complete transactions at the station between 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM daily throughout the sales period.

This annual event represents a significant initiative by the agricultural authorities to support horticultural enthusiasts and promote botanical diversity within the region. The Ashenden Propagation Station, known for its extensive collection of ornamental species, serves as a central distribution point for quality-assured plants.

The ministry’s announcement provides advance notice to allow adequate preparation for both commercial buyers and gardening enthusiasts. Such coordinated sales events help regulate plant distribution while ensuring quality control and phytosanitary standards are maintained.

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