标签： Trinidad and Tobago

A family of ten from Williamsville, left homeless after a devastating fire destroyed their two-storey home on Pooran Street on November 4, is expressing profound gratitude for the outpouring of public support. Elaine Mohammed, the 53-year-old matriarch and a cancer survivor, shared her heartfelt appreciation for the community’s generosity in an interview with Newsday on November 7. The family has already received essential grocery items and clothing from kind-hearted individuals. ‘I am grateful to all the people who reached out to us. Even if it is only one brick, we would be thankful, because if 100 people give one brick, that’s 100 bricks,’ Mohammed said. Despite the challenges, the family remains hopeful of rebuilding their home. Mohammed, who is unable to work due to her age and health condition, emphasized her reliance on faith and community support. Her husband, Kamaludin, is set to retire next month at the age of 60. The family, including their young grandchildren, is currently staying in a cramped room at the back of the damaged house. The fire, which broke out on the first floor while the family was on the ground floor, left them with nothing. Mohammed, overwhelmed by the incident, experienced a spike in her blood sugar and blood pressure, requiring emergency medical attention. ‘I was stressed. I had to be taken to the hospital because of my sugar and blood pressure,’ she recalled. Despite her health scare, Mohammed discharged herself to be with her family. The prompt response of the Mon Repos Fire Station contained the flames, but the family lost everything. Local officials, including Princes Town MP Aniya Ali and councillor Vincent Raghoo, visited the family to offer support. Those willing to assist can contact the family at 355-4449.

In the wake of a violent altercation on November 4 involving male and female students outside Barataria North Secondary School, the Education Ministry has swiftly responded by bolstering security measures. Education Minister Michael Dowlath announced on November 6 that additional police patrols have been arranged for several priority schools, including Barataria North Secondary, to ensure student safety. The ministry expressed deep concern over the incident, emphasizing its commitment to addressing indiscipline and disruptive behavior within educational institutions. The school, which had previously been selected for on-campus police presence, is now under heightened scrutiny. The ministry has mobilized various units, such as the School Supervision Division and the Student Support Services Division (SSSD), to implement interventions aimed at fostering a safe and conducive learning environment. An ongoing investigation into the brawl is being conducted, with the ministry advocating for a ‘whole-of-community approach’ to student discipline. This includes engaging parents, guardians, and other stakeholders to reinforce behavioral support systems and encourage positive student engagement. The school’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA) has urged students with relevant information to report it to trusted staff members and reminded them of their responsibility to uphold the school’s reputation. The PTA also cautioned against sharing or posting recordings of such incidents on social media, stressing the importance of handling evidence responsibly.

The state has committed to releasing additional documents in multiple lawsuits filed by police officers challenging the 2023 corporal promotion exercise. This decision follows earlier disclosures in June, where individual merit list scores from the promotion process were made public. The lawsuits arose from a contentious promotion round in September 2023, which saw 861 constables promoted to corporal out of 2,342 candidates. The process was halted due to complaints about a ‘glitch’ in the Order of Merit List (OML), prompting internal audits and legal actions. In February, courts granted the constables permission to pursue a judicial review, emphasizing the need for transparency to ensure fairness and public trust in the police promotion system. The officers argue that withholding scores fosters suspicion of favoritism and undermines morale. Over 100 officers have filed similar claims, with a decision expected in January 2026. Acting ASP Gideon Dickson, president of the Police Service Social and Welfare Association, highlighted the officers’ frustration and demotivation in a February 2024 letter to then-Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher. Internal affidavits revealed data discrepancies between audit results and consultant reports, leading to a revised OML in January 2024. Deputy Commissioner Junior Benjamin defended the refusal to release scores under the Freedom of Information Act’s exemption provision. The officers’ attorneys, Keron Ramkhalwhan, Shalini Sankar, and Annesia Gunnes, are seeking full disclosure of individual scores and related documents from the Promotion Advisory Board.

In a significant move to bolster Tobago’s workforce, the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) and the National Training Agency (NTA) have formalized a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at equipping the island’s current and future workforce with globally competitive skills. The agreement was signed on November 6 at the Victor Bruce Financial Complex in Scarborough, Tobago, in a ceremony attended by key stakeholders, including NTA chairman Chandar Gupta Supersad, parliamentary secretary Hansen Narinesingh, and THA Secretary Petal Ann Roberts. The initiative, known as the Tobago Training Needs Assessment project, is set to conclude by October and is designed to identify skill gaps, prioritize economic sectors, and align training programs with labor market demands. Narinesingh emphasized the project’s importance in addressing the challenges posed by rapid technological advancements, artificial intelligence, and shifting global labor markets. He highlighted the need for purposeful skills, adaptability, and innovation to ensure Tobago’s workforce remains competitive. Roberts underscored the initiative’s role in preparing Tobagonians for future job markets, aligning training with economic opportunities, and fostering equitable development across Trinidad and Tobago. Supersad described the assessment as timely, stressing its potential to create responsive training programs and national occupational standards tailored to Tobago’s needs. The project aims to empower Tobagonians, particularly youth, by connecting them to meaningful training and real-world opportunities, ultimately driving economic growth and development on the island.