Senator Irene Sandiford-Garner is looking forward to a future where Barbadian schools are using textbooks and learning materials published by local, qualified teaching professionals.

She expressed this during an address she gave at the graduation ceremony of the Class 4 students of the Charles F. Broome Memorial Primary School, which was held at the Hilton Hotel recently. She formally congratulated the institution’s Principal, Dr. Monica Walton, for taking the time, energy and determination to achieve the highest possible educational certification.

“I salute you as one of the growing band of teachers and administrators who have dedicated themselves to earning the same PhDs as their University lecturers and tutors. I look forward to the day when all primary and secondary principals in Barbados will emulate yourself and will be referred to as Doctors of Philosophy,” she said.

She added, “I anticipate your joining the ranks of teachers who have published book material for use in our schools at all levels. We absolutely need to reduce Barbados’ dependence on reading and learning texts published in other CARICOM countries or from outside our region.”

Walton noted that one of her main reasons for pursuing this major goal was to ensure that she remained on the cutting edge in terms of providing the very best level of education for her students.

“The staff at the Charles F. Broome Memorial Primary continues to seek out opportunities that would enable them to remain on the cutting edge. To this end, professional development is seen as a priority for all,” she said.

Walton boasted of the staff’s professional achievements and noted that she is extremely proud of the work that her staff had put in to achieve their goal of being on the cutting edge. She also acknowledged the work of one of their teachers, Trudi Harris, who recently had her work published in the Erdistonian – a professional magazine – which allows her to be publicly known as a recognised, published author.

The Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council is encouraging local institutions to offer more technical and vocational programmes and to offer these subjects up to at least a degree level.

That’s according to Henderson Eastmond, Executive Director of the TVET Council, who said there is a still a long way to go in terms of raising the standard of technical and vocational education in this country, especially in areas such as technology. As such, he contended that the Council will be working relentlessly over the next few years to ensure that such programmes come on stream.

The Executive Director made the comments while speaking at a media briefing yesterday morning to introduce the WorldSkills Barbados Team that will be headed to Abu Dhabi this October for the 44th WorldSkills Competition in October.

“The Council is aggressively trying to push the institutions to move especially the tertiary level institutions like the Polytechnic and the Barbados Vocational Training Board as well as Community College to raise the level of the standard of their training, higher level technical qualifications at least to the degree level. We think that after 50 years of independence we should be there,” he said.

In fact, Eastmond contended that this is the route these institutions must go if Barbados is to remain competitive. He made the point while noting that it has been suggested that for a country to be competitive, 60 per cent of its workforce should have technical certificates.

“We have to make our country more competitive, it means we have to fire on more than one sector, not only tourism. We want to help put our people in the position that we can reduce that $800 million food bill. We want to resuscitate manufacturing in such a way, we will not be able to export right away, but that will be the thrust, that’s where you get your foreign exchange from… If there are small things that we import that we can make here we would like to equip our people to make them and that is thrust of the TVET Council, that is our mandate,” he stated.

With that in mind, Eastmond added that with the possibility of Barbados engaging in offshore drilling for oil, it is imperative that Barbadians are also properly trained to work in that sector.

Meanwhile, reflecting on the competition in October, Eastmond said it is more than a competition, as the experience helps to promote technical and vocational education and expose Barbadians to a world class event. He said through the trip, those attending, competitors and experts will also learn new skills and techniques that they can bring back to Barbados and share with others. (JRT)

A flood warning was issued for the island yesterday, and Barbadians can expect more showers today.

The tropical wave presently affecting the Windward Islands continued to generate some pockets of moderate to heavy showers, periods of rain, occasional gusty winds across Barbados last night, and into the early hours of this morning.

According to the Barbados Meteorological Service (BMS), with lingering moisture and instability, some occasional shower activity is likely this morning, with a gradual improvement in conditions expected by late this afternoon, as the wave progresses westward.

Around 10 a.m. yesterday, the BMS issued the Flood Warning until 6 p.m.

BMS’ Weather Bulletin stated that the axis of a tropical wave, currently moving across the Lesser Antilles, has been generating cloudy to overcast skies, moderate to heavy showers, periods of rain and isolated thunderstorms across Barbados, starting a few hours before the warning was issued.

“Some flash flooding is already occurring due to the standard nature of the soils from rains experienced earlier this week. A further deterioration in conditions is expected during the course of the afternoon and into tonight; rainfall accumulations of at least 50 to 75 mm (two to three inches) are possible,” the bulletin stated, also warning residents in flood prone areas to exercise caution and remain on the alert.

A Flood-Warning means that flooding is imminent or is already occurring. This Warning may be extended if necessary.

As a result of the heavy showers, a number of events scheduled to be held yesterday were cancelled.
(AH)

The Labour Department joined the congregation of the Bethel Pentecostal Church in Drax Hall St. George for a service marking the beginning of Occupational Health and Safety Week.

Among those who joined members of the department were Toni Moore, General Secretary of the Barbados Workers’ Union; Roslyn Smith, General Secretary of the National Union of Public Workers; and Vincent Burnett former Chief Labour Officer.

After a lively song service, Senator Dr. the Honourable Esther Byer Suckoo, Minister of Labour, Social Security and Human Resource Development, addressed the gathering. Suckoo, who is a member of the rural church spoke on what is required from both employee and employers in the work environment. Locally this year has been designated the national year of productivity with the theme for the week of festivities being, “Safe Workplaces are Productive Workplaces.” The Minister stated, “Safe workplaces do not happen just by themselves. Safe workplaces happen because there is a deliberate effort, there are policies put in place and procedures to make sure that happens.”

She shared that when she was appointed to the position she was not au fait with the field, but as a doctor she was cognisant of the injuries that could occur. She expressed, “When I came to the Ministry of Labour, though I did not have a trade union or other labour management background, I came from the position of knowing all of you, and knowing what you suffered within the workplace – so I set to work to make sure that we could correct some of those things.”

Byer-Suckoo continued to list some of the changes that were made and some of the acts that were proclaimed during her tenure. This included the introduction of a Minimum Wage Board, which also deals with the terms and conditions at work, the Holiday with Pay Act, the Shops Act. Legislation to deal with Sexual Harassment in the workplace is also on stream. An emphasis is being placed on having these changes documented since the environment is not static and foreign interests that operate in our environment are not aware of how our paradigm works.

The week’s festivities will include seminars at the Accra Beach Hotel and Spa. They are geared towards raising awareness and giving guidance on specific issues. Practical methods on improving health and safety will also be discussed. Other matters to be addressed include the provocative topic of drug testing in the work place and also the solution to violence in the business environment. She noted that since a large portion of the legislation uses the term “reasonably practical” the department is focussed on bringing clarity to the term.

Various workplaces and industrial estates around the island will be visited and information will be disseminated related to safety and health. The Minister stated, “Apart from what we are doing, we are encouraging other organisations to join with us to promote safety, health and productivity in their work places; So they can have health fairs and they can have health inspections by safety committees.” She also called for a renewed focus on the practice of safety drills. Lectures and posting general information to educate teams about safety practices relevant to the organisation through announcements or the use of the intranet were also encouraged.

The ultimate goal is to have a safety and health culture which promotes the reduction of accidents in the workplace since prevention is better than cure. Byer-Suckoo concluded, “There are no shortcuts to being productive and there are no shortcuts to safety and health.” (ST)

One school Principal’s advice to parents who have children entering secondary school for the first time, is to “Let God lead”.

This critical piece of advice came recently from Principal of Gordon Walters Primary School, Tyrone Marshall, as he delivered the Principal’s Report for the 2016-2017 academic year, during the Class of 2017 Graduation Ceremony held at the Christ Church Parish Church Hall, also known as the Ivan Harewood Centre.

“Parents, we are living in times of a seeming upheaval in bullying, sex, violence, crime, homosexuality, but this is the world that the Creator saw fit to allow your children to be born in. This is the time in Earth’s history, that you have been given the mandate of parenting. What does that all mean? It means that the creator God has confidence in you, that with His help and guidance, the child whom He has entrusted in your care, can make it through all the meanderings of this life,” Bishop told the parents gathered.

“With all of what we see going on with social media in secondary schools, you must have some concerns, but like I said before in another place, the same God who took your child through primary school – will take them through secondary. He who began a good work in you, will be faithful to complete it,” he stressed

Turning his attention to the academic performance of students in this year’s Common Entrance Exam, Marshall noted that thirty two students completed the exam and all gained entry into Government secondary schools.

“Congratulations to all of you. All of you deserve praise and honour. All of you should be sitting and walking proudly today,” he told the Class of 2017.

He then added, “Special mention must be made of our most outstanding boy, Brandon Byer-Maloney and our most outstanding girl, Ryanna Waithe. Brandon scored 97 on the Mathematics paper and 93 on the English paper with a B in Composition. He will be going to Harrison College. Ryanna scored 92 in Mathematics and 89 in English with a B in Composition. She will be going to Combermere. Two quality students who worked hard and consistently, and reaped their just reward.”

International Co-operative Day was recognised on July 1st and the National Co-operative Committee celebrated this day by hosting a morning fair in the Church Village Green Park where persons got the opportunity to come out and view the goods that were put on display by the union members.

Despite the rainy weather, Verdon Sealy, a committee member of the National Co-Operative Planning Committee expressed that even though there was an occassional trickle of people coming into view the goods, he was happy with the turn out.

“We are a little hampered by the rains, but we would still go on regardless. Today is an event that has been sanctioned by the UN as they have designated the first Saturday in July to be Co-operative Day,” he said.

He noted that the day was used to celebrate Co-operators around the world. He added that it was a day that usually saw quite a bit of community spirit as many people usually came out to support the movement.

“So this day is really a day to celebrate and appreciate what we do as a co-operative movement,” he said.

Undene Whittaker, Chairperson of the Women’s Entrepreneurial Co-Operative Society, headed one booth at the fair, which sold products that were made by the members of the Women’s Entrepreneurial society. She noted that the Co-Op movement in Barbados was becoming recognised and added that they were in the process of re-building their own Co-Operative movement.

She revealed that the Women’s Entrepreneurial Co-Operative Society was rather young and was currently in the process of learning the rules and stipulations of the law in regards to correctly heading their movement. However, she noted that this did not hinder them from taking part in International Co-Operative Day as they were there to show their support despite the dismal weather.

Patrons attending the 2017 First Citizens Pan Fusion will not only enjoy performances of a variety of musical genres but this event will feature a tribute to musician, the late Adrian “Boo” Husbands.

Event Coordinator, Karen Pestaina revealed this recently while addressing a press conference held at First Citizens Office, Regus Building at #1 Welches, St. Thomas.

This year is the seventh edition of First Citizens Pan Fusion and it occurs on July 14th at Ilaro Court. Pestaina further explained that this event, which will carry the theme “Legends and Prodigies” will comprise four segments. Two of the latter sections will be “Track vs Steel” and the After Party which will feature entertainer, Lil Rick. Meanwhile the former segments will have a different focus with the section, “Uncut” featuring Trinidadian musician, Dane Gulston.

“We have broken Pan Fusion into four sections. The first being the tribute to Boo Husbands. When I wanted to do this, the first person that I could think of was Nicholas Brancker, he was extremely close to Boo. So Nicholas and a lot of Boo’s friends will be coming together and even though Boo does not have any original music, we knew the wide expanse of different genres that Boo loved and this is what is going to be portrayed by Nicholas and his friends. Then we go onto a section called Uncut, our very own [David] “ZigE” Walcott and his band, Azúcar Orchestra… ZigE has put together various pannists, all different ages to be performing and is going to give us some wonderful music.”

Also addressing the press conference was Chief Executive Officer of the National Cultural Foundation, Cranston Browne. He told the media that the popularity of the First Citizens Pan Fusion event has been intensifying.

“The growing interest in this event reached its pinnacle with over 1000 attending in 2016, its largest patronage to date. You can expect the usual pantastic experience with a line-up highlighting the best of local, regional and international musicians performing various genres of music fused with the steel pan music from some of the finest pannists, saxophonists and percussionists in the region.”

Meanwhile, in her remarks Chief Executive Officer of First Citizens Bank, Carole Jean Marie shared her delight about the growth. She said the bank was “pleased to see how the event has grown over the years catering to a wide cross section of young, middle age and older musicians as well as patrons and the like. In particular, I am proud… of the quality of the production including the delivery and the overall content of the Pan Fusion programme that has always remained consistently high with a spectacular fusion of local, regional and international musicians delivering an interestingly high quality mix of traditional and contemporary performances under the stars.”(MG)

Omari Drakes, Attorney at Law has advised Human Resource Professionals in Barbados that they are the gatekeepers until there is sexual harassment legislation.

He was speaking recently at the Human Resource Management Association of Barbados (HRMAB) seminar at the Cave Hill School of Business tackling the controversial topics of sexual harassment, sexual orientation and social media in the workplace.

Drake indicated, “In terms of Sexual Harassment, there is no specific legislation but because we don’t have any legislation does not mean that there is no recourse…. but I’m aware the Minister of Labour did say she expects to have the legislation in place before the next general elections ...I don’t know if it will happen but it is imminent and until then HR professionals are gate keepers.”

He continued, “Until we have legislation, ensure that in your handbook it speaks to conduct which can be considered sexual harassment, actually this will make the life of lawyers easier if there is a case of sexual harassment in your office, you can turn to a document and say your handbook states the following ...”

Drakes highlighted that sexual orientation issues are challenging, he admitted, “I can’t say that I have much experience in that area but this is going to be one of the more difficult things to deal with in Barbados at this stage and it is because they is no real help from the authorities, we have to rely again on Common law as with sexual harassment.”

“The challenge is that there is also a mindset that we will have to break down until we get that done, I suspect sexual discrimination based on sexual orientation will be difficult to deal with in Barbados...I believe there is legislation on the cards for that as well.”

He also touched on issues with social media. According to him, “The use of social media is a ticklish area because it depends on a case by case basis. If I’m using the office computers to go on Facebook etc. then they are well in their right to monitor what I’m doing, if I’m doing it from my personal phone to do what I want to do, you can’t restrict that unless you have a policy in place that says no use of personal cellphones between certain times etc. …”

“However, going beyond that, using the example of the infamous eyebrow girl scenario, if you are using your personal devices and you broadcast what you are doing and it gets in the public domain and it has an impact on your company, you can be dismissed ….” (NB)

MINISTER of Agriculture Dr. David Estwick has a vision for the agricultural sector, which will see increased crop production and reduced levels of importation of produce that are being grown locally.

In fact, during a recent launch of the new Integrated Knowledge Management System, the Minister revealed that on the heels of this new ICT project, steps are on the way to enhance the power of the Barbados Agricultural Development Marketing Corporation to achieve this goal.

“We will be asking the Cabinet to approve that a number of products that we now import into this country, that we have the capacity to produce locally, that those products be brought under the BADMC’s management and BADMC becomes the sole importer of those products and they would only be imported when there are net deficits that cannot be produced locally.”
According to the Minister “...We don’t want to distort the market, but we believe strongly that in order to help our domestic farmers to enhance their capacity to produce the product, we have to give them some breathing space to allow them to enhance that capacity and the operation by going to Cabinet and asking Cabinet to bring it under the BADMC a lot of products that we can produce locally.”

These items include lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, onions, sweet peppers, pumpkins and squash, sweet potatoes to name a few, pointing out that some vegetables such as broccoli, which cannot be grown locally, would not be on the list.

In order to solidify linkages between the agricultural, manufacturing and hotel sectors, he said the island must reach the point where production capacity and marketing are enhanced. “We are confident our two systems under this Knowledge Management System are going to allow the agriculture sector to pay a much more effective role in national development,” he said, adding that the Cabinet paper has already been prepared.

This new ICT platform he said, would give planners, buyers and sellers in a web-based forum, an indication of available volumes of produce and provide forecasting for local production. “The new system is intended to enhance the interconnectivity of the stakeholders in the area of agriculture so that the supply and demand side would be effectively integrated in a real-time ICT platform.”

The Minister also outlined plans to establish the capacity to grade products locally. “Once we have the capacity to grade products it allows the manufacturing sector, and hotel sector that require a sustained quality of product and quantity of product to be realised. That situation will allow for the farmer to have his particular product brought to the BADMC, for a nominal administrative fee and that would be graded and packaged to the particular consumer, whether hotel, supermarket chain or private house,” he explained. (JH)

WHY not an IMF programme?

That’s the question put on the table by Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of the West Indies, Dr. Justin Robinson, as he weighed in on the recent visit from a team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the subsequent report issued.

Speaking on the talk show Walter.2 yesterday morning, Dr. Robinson said that the team stated in its report that, if implemented as envisaged, the 2017 Budget would lead to substantial gains toward improving the public finances. It also outlined the fact that the economy continues its recovery on the back of a stronger tourism programme, however improving the public finances remains a critical challenge.

According to Robinson, the report also stated that government financing requirements were challenged as banks reduced their sovereign exposure. He said this added to the fact that foreign reserves fell below 12 weeks cover with no way to access funding other than through the Central Bank. To this end he said Government essentially went into the Budget in a crisis.
He explained that when a country finds itself in that position, a strong response is needed. “One of the options on the table is to go into an IMF programme.” “If you do an IMF programme you get access to financing, so it solves that problem. You also get that financing in foreign exchange so it helps boost the reserves. So one of the questions we might have to speculate is why not an IMF programme?” he queried

“…The fact that you are in a programme also unlocks other types of programmes. IADB and others are likely to come on board. We can only speculate, but we usually look at these reports to get some guidelines.”

He stressed however that in looking at the benefits, to go the route of the IMF, the details of the package must be fully assessed.

“The IMF is saying you have an urgent problem. We think the package you have brought here will go a long way in reducing the problem, but they are of the view that in the longer term you have to deal with the transfers and your debt service.

“In my own judgement, IMF programmes tend to focus a lot on debt sustainability. I suspect that an IMF programme would likely like between $300-350 million a year cut out of transfers. In Barbados that is not easy to get. Getting that is going to require a big transformation, a lot of sacrifice.”

He said these transfers can be found in major social programmes including QEH, Education, support for the tourism sector, and sanitation to name a few.

“If you are to get 300-350 million out of that … that’s a lot of pain … a lot of these social services define Barbados,” he said. “I can only speculate that the required cuts in the social services and likely adjustments to the debt might be reasons why the government is steering away.

“If you were to go into an IMF programme, government would have to be prepared to make some cuts in the social sector and there would have to be some adjustment on the debt. It is difficult for me to see how we get to debt sustainability without a more aggressive debt structuring programme where you are going to cutting the principle on the debt.”

He cautioned that while the home-grown programme is “tough”, an IMF programme would be equally as painful or more so. “I think the two packages would be the same size, what would differ is the mix of measures.”

In the final analysis, the Dean opined that the home-grown option or taking an IMF package are the only two alternatives to be taken.

The Dean also told the moderators that what jumped out at him from the IMF statement was the expectation that inflation would move from 3.2 to about 6.7 per cent because of the National Social Responsibility Levy and the expectation that it would return to normal in about two years. He said this figure is a lot less than what some pundits have been predicting, going as high as ten and 15 per cent inflation. “I think that is something the authorities need to keep their eye on,” he warned.

Dr. Robinson also asserted that as the country seeks to deal with the fiscal challenges, the Government should now focus seriously on the investment side of the economy. “That is the way they can try to cushion, they need to get projects, get investments going,” he said.

The Dean commended the Finance Minister Christopher Sinckler for being forthright in the 2017 Budget, acknowledging that there has been frustration in the society, after seeing different versions of programmes rolled out over the years that were not enough to address the scale of the problem. (JH)

THE Fair Trading Commission (FTC) is yet to make a final decision on the SOL/Barbados National Terminal Company Limited merger. This has been stated by Mrs. Sandra Sealy, CEO of the FTC.
She was responding to a weekend press report which suggested that the Commission had rejected the merger.

Sealy said yesterday that the Preliminary Findings Report (PFR) referred to in another section of the Press was sent to the Applicants only.

She also said that the Applicants were required to respond to the PFR by June 30, 2017 and had subsequently requested and given additional time to submit their responses.

“The Commission will analyse these responses before making its final determination on this matter, following which the Applicants and the public will be notified,” the CEO added.

It is the latest development on the matter. Government said it wanted to sell the BNTCL in order to raise at least US$100 million to shore the country’s net international reserves and to lower the fiscal deficit.

The Regional Security System (RSS) has long identified transnational criminality and its spill over effects as a priority area.

Executive Director, Captain Errington Shurland, said that with the acceptance of transnational crime as a significant security threat, and the documented correlation between reduced levels
of criminal activity and development, it is imperative that the RSS sub-region strives to tackle the rising tide of transnational criminality.

He was at the time addressing the opening of the Maritime Operations and Planning Course, held at the HMBS Pelican, yesterday. The course is one of the first under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) Project.

Captain Shurland highlighted that the project aims to enhance the capabilities of law enforcement and border security personnel, augment existing projects in correctional facilities that rehabilitate drug offenders and provide them with alternative skills, as well as to improve public awareness regarding key law enforcement issues such as drug enforcement and human rights issues in the RSS Member States.

“Maritime Operations Planning in the current and future security environment is critical to mounting and executing successful operations in the Maritime Domain… The majority of our threats in the sub-region come via the sea. It is therefore important that you – the present and future operations room managers and coast guard commanders are suitably equipped with the tools and skills needed to effectively and efficiently co-ordinate and oversee the successful planning and execution of operations in our areas of responsibility,” he told representatives from the seven RSS Member States.

The RSS Executive Director also revealed that over the next three weeks participants will be exposed to a number of concepts and tactics that will broaden their horizons and create a path that will enable them to think differently about what they are required to do to achieve the ultimate objective, “to stem the illegal activity that threatens our borders and have the potential to adversely affect the socio-economic, socio-cultural and political activities that provide for good governance of our respective countries and disrupt the lives of our people in particular the youth in our countries”.

Silvia Kofler, Chargé d’ Affaires Delegation of the European Union to Barbados, Eastern Caribbean States, OECS and CARIFORUM shared that the 10th EDF already placed considerable emphasis on security with projects worth approximately EUR$18 million – which has permitted them to establish solid partnerships with multiple sectors of the region, including IMPACS, the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) and the RSS.

In fact, she disclosed that under the 11th EDF, the EU has strengthened this priority area of support by earmarking EUR$44 million for crime and security-related programmes.
“We believe in the value of contributing our best resources and capabilities to alliances and partnerships and to enable others with fewer resources to make their contributions as partners and assume responsibility in their own regions.

“We believe that only willingness to analyse and make decisions in a common approach can achieve what in a globalised world no nation – whatever its size – can successfully and permanently do; resolve conflicts or manage threats on its own,” Kofler said. (TL)

THE delay in the implementation of the foreign exchange fee (FXF) does not necessarily mean government will not be able to meet its expected tax take.

Word of this from outspoken Agriculture Minister Dr. David Estwick while speaking to members of the media recently. Some social commentators have argued that the delay would lead to prolonged austerity.

Dr. Estwick stressed that his position on the Budget presented by Finance Minister Christopher Sinckler remains consistent with the likes of KPMG, PWC and Deloitte, as it relates to the likely impact of the measures to be implemented. However, with respect to the deficit as a result of shortening the time for roll out of the fee, the former Minister of Economic Affairs said this situation would have to be monitored and managed.

“If it were linear, that is, that the activities that are being taxed, the transactions, if they were all linear every month, at the end of the day you get a quantum. However, you have a situation where you have a lot of festivals, which means there are going to be clumped and enhanced transactional activities between Carifesta, Crop Over....so basically your evaluation mathematically has to take these things into consideration.”

“I don’t deal with these matters any longer but I still follow some of them. My understanding tells me therefore that one can still achieve the goals even though you have shorter tenure because you now have clumped transactional activity coming on stream coming very soon.”

“Maybe the Minister of Finance and the Central Bank Governor were considering those types of activities when they agreed to have the roll out pushed back a little bit,” he told the media.

On June 27 in a press release from Central Bank Governor (Ag) Cleviston Haynes, it was revealed that the two percent fee on purchases of foreign currency will now go into effect for cash, bank drafts and wire transfers on Monday, July 17, 2017 as opposed to July 1.

Credit, debit and travel cards will become subject to the fee from September 1.

According to Haynes, the delay is to allow the public to become familiar with the new fee. “These additional two weeks will give us the opportunity to educate Barbadians about the FXF so that they are clear on what types of transactions it relates to and how it will be applied. This will help to ensure that there is a smooth and orderly introduction of the FXF.”

Haynes revealed that the extended lead time for credit, debit and travel cards is to allow commercial banks and other credit card providers a longer window to adjust their computer systems. “We have been in consultation with The Barbados Bankers Association and, based on their feedback, we will provide them with additional time to complete the work that needs to be done so that cardholders will be able to clearly identify what portion of their payment for foreign purchases is due to the FXF,” he said.

All persons conducting purchases of foreign currency will be required to pay the FXF, except residents and non-residents making payments from their foreign currency accounts, including entities in the International Business and Financial Services (IBFS) sector. The FXF is also not applicable to foreign currency sales related to the settlement of transactions for the bulk purchase of petroleum, diesel or jet fuel, where documentary evidence has been provided to the authorised dealer.

A public education campaign will be rolled out to explain the changes to the general public. (JH)

Parkinson Memorial Secondary School Principal, Ian Holder is pleased with the positive changes seen in students following their participation in the Triple-H (Help, Hope, Heal) Youth Development Programme.

He shared this with the gathering at Monday’s graduation ceremony conducted at the School.

Triple-H is a component of an overall project being conducted by the Project of Improved Access to Justice in the Caribbean (IMPACT Justice). This group is funded by the Government of Canada under an agreement with the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus.

A total of 20 pupils, 10 boys and 10 girls, between the ages of 13 and 16 were involved in the Programme which was conducted twice weekly from January 11th to February 28th and from May 18th to June 8th.

Speaking more about the inaugural initiative, Regional Project Director for the IMPACT Justice Project, Professor Velma Newton said the Programme was “a large component of the Project called, Alternative Dispute Resolution.”

“We train persons and speak to individuals and groups about not resorting to violence to solve their problems, not fighting, being rude to your parents, friends, teachers and those with whom you come into frequent contact. Thinking of consequences before you act in haste, and apologising when you have wronged someone; trying to make mark, a good one, in your community and in the wider Barbadian society.”

Professor Newton further pointed out that some of the areas covered included the importance of setting goals and striving to achieve them, teamwork through sport, the effects of crime on the victims and also on the perpetrators as well as academic development focusing on Mathematics and English.

She expressed a hope that the students who took part would take the information learnt back into the school and community. Also that they “will remember that they can make a difference and be positive role models for others.”

THE Needham’s Ballroom at the Hilton Hotel was a buzz of excitement as it played host to the 2017 Graduating Class of the Charles F. Broome Memorial Primary School recently.

Large smiles appeared to be permanently plastered on the face of each graduate as they waltzed across the stage to collect their prizes. The room erupted with cheers of approval and pride as Shania Thomas collected the Joyce Morris Memorial Award for being the Student of the Year, the Wendy Howard Memorial Award for achieving the highest score in English and the Principal’s Award.

Thomas also received prizes for earning the highest overall score in the Barbados Secondary Schools’ Entrance Examination (BSSEE). Abianna Fenty also shared the Principal’s Award and the Wendy Howard Memorial Award with Thomas.

Another top student, Vanessa Greenidge, went on stage to collect the Ladine Clarke Memorial Award for achieving one of the highest scores in Mathematics in the BSSEE and the Kirk Layne Memorial Award for good work in Academics, Sports and Culture.

Principal of the school, Dr. Monica Walton, expressed that she was extremely proud of the students’ achievements and applauded them on the completion of the first phase of their educational journey. She encouraged them to be of good character as they entered into their new schools in September.

She expressed that she expected them to continue being caring, hard-working, have a positive attitude, respectful, ambitious, confident, truthful, responsible students who had high expectations for themselves. She encouraged them to accept responsibility for their actions and reminded them that with every action followed a consequence.

“I offer the heartiest congratulations to all of you and trust that you will take your character in hand as you go forward to a bright future. You are here to achieve; the world is your oyster. You have a sense of purpose,” she concluded. (CLF)

Acknowledging that we live in a technological era, Senator Irene Sandiford-Garner warned students of the Charles F. Broome Memorial Primary School against the incorrect use of social media.

Her warning came as she addressed the students at their graduation ceremony, which took place at the Hilton Hotel recently.

“I want to warn you against using social media for negative and non-productive purposes. All of you know how to use cell phones; use them for phone calls, research and reading articles that interest you,” Sandiford-Garner said.

She noted that in these current times, students were often seen using social media for the wrong things as some young people were seen in videos or pictures, engaging in acts that would bring shame to them, their family or their schools, and using abusive and offensive language.

Sandiford-Garner reminded the young children that whatever they do, record and put on social media would remain there.

“Imagine growing up, and you’re probably in an important job, or settled with a family, one day seeing embarrassing videos of yourself appearing online. You could be living in any part of the world and that beautiful life you have created for yourself could come crashing down because of something you did as a young person,” she said.

Sandiford-Garner went on to tell the students to carry their “S.W.A.G” with them wherever they went. She noted that their success, willpower, attitude and goals were all components of their “S.W.A.G” and expressed that this was something that they should hold onto as they progress through life.

To the parents, the Senator encouraged them to continue to support their children or guardians as it will take more effort as they go into secondary school.

“They are your charges and you must do whatever you have to, to ensure that these bright, motivated young people remain that way. The older they get, the harder it will become. Good parenting is hard work, but the effort is worth it,” she said.

THE importance of local fishing communities to the health and wealth of the country has been underscored by an Opposition Member of Parliament and with it a call for clarity on the future of one of the popular fish markets on the island.

Speaking at the Weston Fisherfolk Association’s awards ceremony over the weekend, parliamentary representative for St. James North, Edmund Hinkson, stressed that fisherfolk are members of the private sector and for a long time fishing has been a significant area of local economic activity.

In fact, he estimates that there are thousands of persons who are directly or indirectly involved in the fishing industry, with over 2 000 fishermen, and 500 fish vendors as well as those employed in fishing plants.

However, he said there are issues affecting the industry, including the need for concessions to be given to alleviate fuel costs.

“Certainly there is a case that the same way the government can give concessions to the big tourist industries and the big conglomerates, … there is certainly a case that has to be made out for the fishing industry.”

He told the audience in the packed Weston Community Centre that Government also needs to be forthcoming about the future development of Weston fishing site.

“About two, three years ago, I was invited to a meeting here with UNDP whereby there were plans to renovate and extend the fish market... haven’t been told as parliamentary representative what has become of those plans. That organisation was willing to, I believe, grant the Barbados Government a few million to extend the fish market...,” he said.

Hinkson also stated that there has been some talk that the fish market would be closed and the land will be sold and permission granted for tourist development. “Where information is lacking rumours fly about,” he said.

“What are their plans for the development of this area. For the development of it? If they are planning to sell the Crown land upon which the fish market sells as well, essentially closing off Weston as a fishing community? Especially in light of the fact that we haven’t heard anything in recent times in terms of the redevelopment of the fish market which we were hearing up to two years ago...”

“Government has a duty to tell us what is the future. What are the future plans to develop the fish market,” he exhorted.

Additionally, Hinkson bemoaned that the fire station at Weston has been closed and it was announced that it will not be repaired. He said this means that none of the five northern parishes on the island have a fire station.

“The fire station has been part of this community. It has served fundamentally as part of the community but not only in terms of responding to fires,” he said, adding that officers in uniform also serve as a deterrent to criminal activity in the area. (JH)

THE Community Development Department (CDD) is prepared to do its part to help reduce the incidence of chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCDs).

That’s according to Chief Community Development Officer of the CDD, Patricia Hackett-Codrington. She made the comments at the prize-giving ceremony for the ‘Healthy Living Poster/Notebook Competition’ held at the Warrens Office Complex yesterday morning. In winners’ row were Zyanna Waithe-Marshall and Ashleigh Turney of Hilda Skeene Primary who won the second and third places respectively, and Tahirah Mann of The Rock Christian School who placed first.

“We recognise as a department the importance of all interventions at all levels… We are hopeful as a department that we can play a supportive role to the Ministries of Health and Education and that together we can achieve the goals set in the area of the reduction of NCDs,” she said.

Hackett-Codrington made the point as she noted that their efforts are in keeping with the recognition by the Heads of Government of CARICOM in 2007, that work with CNCDs is a priority since treating such conditions is a significant part of the health budget of the region.

“Coming out of that meeting was the Port-of-Spain Declaration, which put in place a plan to stop the epidemic of non-communicable diseases. Heads are going to be meeting again this week, starting tomorrow (today). This week will be the 10th anniversary of that declaration and they will be evaluating how successful the implementation of the declaration has been. They will look at the gaps and the challenges which are preventing the region from reaching the desired goals. NCDs are also the subject of the international agenda and their reduction is specifically mentioned in Goal 3 of the 2020 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” she said.

However, she maintained that realising these objectives cannot happen unless all hands are on deck. As such, she said that requires all government agencies that are directly in contact with people, as well as community-based organisations and non-governmental organisations to be involved in the process. With that in mind, she indicated that the CDD is cognisant of its role of mobilising the communities and therefore aims at not only being driven by the express needs of the community members, but also engaging in activities which fit into the national development strategy.

“We have therefore set as part of our specific work plan for the next year the development of social education committees which would intervene at the community level with various topics of importance, similarly to how we have used our HIV Committees which have functioned for the last decade,” she added.

With that in mind, she made mention of other efforts by the CDD to encourage healthy living among Barbadians, including the recently launched Community Health Action Management Programme (CHAMPS). She said through that programme, which was launched in St. George, they intend to work with various community groups in the area of health and there are plans to expand it to other communities. (JRT)

Explaining that kung-fu literally translates as “hard work overtime”, lyricist and spoken word artiste Adrian Green told 33 boys at St. Cyprian’s that the world was theirs for the taking as long as they put in the necessary effort.

The multi-NIFCA award winner said that the transition to secondary school was not always easy, and that they would have to confront various issues, including bullying, but reminded the youths to walk with their heads held high and to focus on their
dreams. In addition, he warned them to choose their battles wisely and to learn from others’ mistakes, “because life is too short to make them all by yourself”.

Meanwhile, proud Principal Dave Layne highlighted that with the boys improving on the national average in both Maths and English by attaining an average of 86.18 and 87.63 respectively compared to 51.7 and 76.4, they were more than equipped to go forward in life.

He however insisted that discipline must remain the “glue” to ensuring their continued success. “Do not try to be popular. Do not try to be cool. Do not fear being different,” he added. (JMB)

Finance Minister, Christopher Sinckler has implored the graduates of the Eagle Hall Primary School to maintain their high standards as they enter into the next phase of their academic journey.

He offered this advice while reminding the 32 Class Fours that their academic success is not dependent on which secondary school they attend, rather, it is dependent on the hard work and effort they put in while attending their respective schools.

The St. Michael North West Member of Parliament spoke briefly during last Friday’s graduation ceremony held at St. Leonard’s Boys’ School. It carried the theme “The Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step”.

In his remarks, the Eagle Hall Primary alumnus made mention of an issue at the school which needed to be addressed. In agreement with the Principal, Sinckler said the school’s garden was in need of an upgrade.

The Finance Minister also used the occasion to speak about the Lawson Weekes Education Scholarship. Fourteen selected Class Four students who attend schools within the St. Michael North West constituency will be given this award in coming weeks. The Scholarship is presented by the St. Michael North West Foundation.

Last Friday’s graduation ceremony was additionally addressed by valedictorian Rodnisha Welcome. She encouraged her fellow graduates to remember the values they learnt while at Eagle Hall Primary School and to use them as they continue their academic journey.

Drawing on the theme, Welcome additionally reminded them that the journey to success starts with the initial step. She also urged her schoolmates to remember the Eagle Hall School’s motto, and not to waste their God given potential, but to focus on their goals and not to forget where they came from. She further told them to continue to strive for excellence. (MG)