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superbugs on the rise

October 17, 2016, 9:00 pm
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Antibiotic misuse creating big health problems
QEH CEO, Dr. Dexter James (left), presents Young Physician of the Year in Infection Prevention Control, Dr. Stuart Holder, with an award.

 

QEH CEO, Dr. Dexter James (left), presents Young Physician of the Year in Infection Prevention Control, Dr. Stuart Holder, with an award.
 

 

 

The abuse of antibiotics is leading to strains of bacteria resistant to all antibiotics, and doctors are being cautioned in prescribing these drugs to patients.
 
Expressing concern on the matter, Chief Executive Officer of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), Dr. Dexter James, stated that a prescription system that limits the abuse and misuse of antibiotics is necessary.
 
“Antibiotic resistance has become – not will – it has become a significant health challenge particularly in hospitals, which must be addressed through the rational prescribing algorithms that limits abuse and misuse,” he insisted.
 
In addition, James said that due to accessibility, the public must be made well aware of the impact of these drugs, stating, “As many antibiotics are now available on the shelf and without the need for prescription, public education needs to be heightened on the safe use and side effects.”
 
Addressing the opening ceremony of Caribbean Infection Control Week at the QEH Auditorium yesterday morning, he said that it is worrying that such resistance occurs regularly in hospitals.
 
“At the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, there have been recent concerns about the misuse and abuse of antibiotics by our physicians in the treatment of patients. This has contributed to the incubation and growth of hospital acquired bacteria…It is now accepted globally and regionally that the use of antimicrobial agents is the key driving force for anti-microbial resistance,” he said.
 
James noted that in response to this, last year the Antimicrobial Stewardship proposal had been endorsed by the QEH to help improve patient outcomes, the cost of treatment and quality of care in a cost-effective manner.
 
“There is still a lot of work to be done within our hospital to change the culture and practices of  prescribing patterns of our physicians,” he nevertheless admitted. (JMB)
 
 
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More Barbadians buying local sweet potatoes

October 17, 2016, 9:00 pm
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Agronomist Anthony Maynard and his assistant, Anthony Alleyne, showing Veronica Brathwaite- Pamphile two types of sweet potatoes that can be found in Barbados.

Agronomist Anthony Maynard and his assistant, Anthony Alleyne, showing Veronica Brathwaite- Pamphile two types of sweet potatoes that can be found in Barbados.

 

Barbadians have been showing increased interest in consuming locally grown sweet potatoes.
 
So says agronomist, Anthony Maynard, who has responsibility for the Sweet Potato Research Programme of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and Water Resource Management.
 
“Now that we are pushing the beta-carotene varieties …which are anti-cancer, have a good source of vitamins and minerals, [and are] high in starch, people are looking now more to sweet potatoes than the English potatoes. They are doing chips, they are baking, they are boiling and they are doing a number of things with the sweet potato now,” he explained, 
 
Maynard spoke to The Barbados Advocate at the Agriculture Ministry’s recently held Farmers Market and Culinary Exhibition, held at its Graeme Hall location for World Food Day. 
 
He shared that presently there are about 25 varieties of sweet potatoes that the Ministry is experimenting with through the Programme, and “so far we have isolated about ten that are doing very well”. 
 
 
He added that unlike the old variety of sweet potatoes previously grown, these crops “are earlier maturing varieties and they are almost scabies resistant or tolerant…The varieties too are rich in beta-carotene, which is Vitamin A…the potatoes are also high in starch and fibre and protein.”
 
Maynard reminded members of the public that sweet potatoes can be prepared in a variety of ways, and he encouraged more Barbadians to create different recipes using the local crop.  (MG)
 
 
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Specialist Maths Teachers coming

October 17, 2016, 9:00 pm
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Minister of Education Ronald Jones acknowledges that there is a challenge with the teaching of Mathematics within schools.
 
To remedy this, he revealed that his Ministry will be revisiting the concept of Specialist Mathematics Teachers.
 
He shared this with principals and mathematics teachers gathered for the launch of the Caribbean Teacher’s Series (CTS) Mathematics: Revision Guide from the Teacher’s Desk for Secondary Schools, held at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus, yesterday.
 
“We have a problem with Mathematics in Barbados. We do have a problem with Mathematics teaching in schools, starting from our primary schools,” he indicated.
 
“In the Ministry we started to look at Specialist Maths Teachers. It has been tried before, but it didn’t last. So we are revisiting that concept again of subject specialists, particularly in the area of maths as well as reading in primary schools,” the Minister further noted.
 
“I have seen in the last eight years the move from 67 per cent to 86 per cent of our primary school students scoring 40 and above in English. I have not seen that in Mathematics. One of the best years I have seen was in 2001, when 71 per cent of the students writing the Barbados Secondary School Entrance Examination scored 40 and above. Since then, there has been systematic dip… sometimes you have a little up,” Jones pointed out.
 
Orville Lynch, Human Resource Development Specialist at the Ministry of Labour and a teacher for 40 years, said there are some mathematics teachers within the primary schools who do not fully understand that subject.
 
“You can’t have people teaching maths who don’t understand it,” he stressed.
 
“Maths is not just about working out formulas. Maths is an exploration; it’s like a puzzle… Someone who likes to explore, who can find different ways to solve a problem, is the type of person you want,” Jones pointed out.
 
With students not grasping concepts or having a love for Mathematics at the primary and secondary levels, Lynch, a teacher of 16 years at the Cave Hill Campus, told those gathered, “Come here any Saturday morning and you will find hundreds of students paying to do maths lessons, who should have gone through the school system, that should have prepared them at least for the fundamentals of Maths coming to the University… That is my concern; I am speaking as a teacher.
 
“The students I come across in the business class have little understanding of mathematics, and they leave here with a Management Degree, and their knowledge of maths is extremely weak for people who want to be in business… Don’t ever talk to them about Financial Management, looking at the finances of a business – they are lost, they don’t want to see that exam  paper. Therefore, what we do in that class is make a financial management question compulsory in the exam. They want to be a businessperson and can’t deal with cash flow… can’t understand your books – then you can’t be a businessperson.” (TL)

 

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More male graduates in 2016

October 17, 2016, 9:00 pm
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Advocate Sports Editor, Corey Greaves, accepting his Bachelor of Science Degree, First Class Honours.

Ijahlon Butler accepting his Bachelor of Science Degree, First Class Honours.

Raphel Bascom accepting his Bachelor of Science Degree, First Class Honours.

 

THE University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus in 2016 has recorded the highest number of male graduates it has had “in the past five years”.
 
Sharing his delight at the increase, Chancellor of the UWI, Sir George Alleyne, disclosed this while addressing last Saturday evening’s 49th graduation ceremony held at the campus. 
 
He pointed out that “31 per cent” of this year’s graduating class, which comprised approximately 1 500 individuals, was male. He also shared that 251 graduates obtained degrees at the postgraduate level. 
 
He further pointed out that there has been a reduction in the numbers of undergraduate students graduating on this occasion. However, he expressed a hope that the numbers will be back up next year.  
 
“The undergraduate numbers represent a 12 per cent reduction from 2014-2015 and the largest number is as usual the Social Sciences, followed by Law. Eighty-one of you obtained First Class honours.”
 
Sir George, in his remarks, also highlighted the role the university has in producing graduates who have completed studies in various disciplines.
 
“I must warn here against any false prophets who would question the production of graduates in large numbers and propose specialisation in a few areas which appear to have the greatest material return. It is the total output of graduates that is critical for development. Perhaps some of this thinking arises from the unfortunate commodification of education that sometimes manifests itself in genuflection to the STEM disciplines which are important, but whose production is not the sole function of a university.” (MG)
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Access to education for all in Barbados, says Prime Minister

October 17, 2016, 9:00 pm
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By: 
Peta Rowe-Forde

 

Given the alarming statistics disclosed by Senior Education Specialist, Inter-American Development Bank, Dr. Mariana Alfonso on the low percentage of students who have access to education and the lower percentage among those who leave school with a significant number of CXCs, Prime Minister of Barbados, the Rt. Hon Fruendel Stuart assured that Barbados has dealt with the question of access to education thoroughly.
 
As the 5th International Conference on Higher Education got underway, the Prime Minister stated that every child is entitled to primary and secondary education; whether in the formal school setting or being home-schooled. He went on to say that it is difficult to find a household in Barbados where primary and secondary education has not been attained. Furthermore, the Prime Minister outlined that primary and secondary education is compulsory while tertiary remains optional due to the inability to force adults into contractual agreements. However, Stuart emphasized that the government has provided ways which enables persons interested in tertiary level education to access it even though it may be optional.
 
Another area of education that received the attention of the Prime Minister was access to nursery education. While acknowledging that there have been some issues regarding access at the nursery level, the Prime Minister highlighted charities such as the Maria Holder Trust Fund which have been lending assistance in curtailing the problem.
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International Conference on Higher Education starts

October 17, 2016, 9:00 pm
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Prime Minister of Barbados, The Rt. Hon. Fruendel Stuart (left) conversing with some guests after his feature address.

By: 
Peta Rowe-Forde

 

As the 5th International Conference on Higher Education (ICHE) got on its way on Sunday evening, Prime Minister of Barbados, the Rt. Hon. Fruendel Stuart offered a brief synopsis of how learning traveled across the Western world as well as highlighted three mandates of educational policy during his feature address.
 
Speaking of learning from the ancient and medieval worlds, the Prime Minister stated that education was for the upper class while the lower classes were expected to do nothing more than produce and defend. This, he said was true of Greek and Roman societies until the collapse of the Roman Empire. At this point, the Church was the largest landlord and most education came from them.
 
To date, Prime Minister Stuart outlined that learning is no longer tied to the church and is no longer for a certain class; but its shortcomings are the result of the history of the western world. He went on to state that Barbados, like other territories, started as a slave society and even with the abolition of slavery, the country inherited a system that promoted the metropolitan power while sub-ordinating ourselves. The system, he went on to state, accentuated a steering clear of asking the question, ‘why’ which is changing now. According to the Prime Minister, this custom has had a crippling and paralyzing effect on development and now, we are tasked with making education serve the purpose that we want.
 
This led to the Prime Minister posing the question of, “How will we make effective use of education to help us to achieve goals which we have set for ourselves?” While pointing out that education is irrelevant if it is not pointing in the direction of social policies, such as sustainable development, Prime Minister Stuart admonished that the content of education has to reflect what is happening in society. 
 
Secondly, he noted that the educational system needs to communicate with its beneficiaries (learners and teachers) that education is intended to be a source of empowerment, self-help; and self-respect. Expounding on this, Stuart noted that education is not a luxury; but had to be fought for as a means of self-help. He also added that it is a medium of self-respect and empowerment. Lastly, calling on the saying “Education should prepare people for the world of work”, the Prime Minister stated that while nothing is wrong with that, the system should not only prepare citizens for work; but equal emphasis should be placed on all other aspects.
 
 
 
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COB continues to enhance its products and services

October 17, 2016, 9:00 pm
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From right to left: CEO of the COB Cooperative Credit Union Ltd., Steve Belle; with President Henderson Williams; Professor Dennis Kimbro who will deliver the featured address at the COB’s annual Winston Alleyne lecture and Winston Alleyne, one of the COB’s founding members, in whose honour the lecture was named. 

 

THE City of Bridgetown Cooperative Credit Union Ltd. (COB), unveiled a suite of new services yesterday that will bring added benefits to its members.

 

As the organisation celebrates its 33rd anniversary this week, Chief Executive Officer Steve Belle revealed that these services will help members with their nest egg for retirement, offer assistance to Small and Medium Enterprises in the organisation and help homeowners with their water storage needs.

 

Belle explained that coming to the market within a matter of days will be the re-branded COB Golden Age Projector Plan which replaces the Registered Retirement Savings Plan. According to Belle, “From last year there was a change in the tax rules relative to savings in that product so we had to create a new product.”

 

“In the past you were able to claim up to $10 000 as a tax deduction. With the rules changing in tax laws you are no longer allowed that. So what would happen is that if you continue to save into that plan, what would happen if you made a withdrawal,there would be penalties in terms of withholding taxes.With this plan there are no withholding taxes.”

 

Belle noted that interest rates will also be extremely competitive and will be calculated daily and posted monthly. “The objective of the plan is to ensure at the end of the day you have an adequate nest egg for retirement. We will put some restrictions in relation to be able to withdraw. The restrictions will not be that punitive. If the funds were needed for a medical purpose, education and housing. Those kinds of situations you will be able to withdraw, but if you want to take a cruise for example there will be penalties involved,” he explained.

 

Additionally, the CEO told the media, that as it relates to micro, small and medium sized (SMEs) corporate members and businesses operating as sole traders totalling 9 000 firms, a set of services will also be rolled out to continue to develop the entrepreneurial class of the COB’s membership, with the view of helping them to succeed.

 

“In addition to lending and saving products and services we will be offering a range of services for that category of membership particularly accounting, marketing, legal and Human Resource services.”

 

“A  lot of small businesses, while they are good at doing what they do, they don’t really have the infrastructure. So what we are doing is building out a range of services to help them through that process. So that no longer does the owner have to focus on marketing and finance and tax. They have COB as their institution providing them with those services.”

 

He also revealed that the COB is seeking a sustainable partnership with the Barbados Water Authority in its water tank initiative, which he anticipates can be rolled out within the next month. Also on the cards is an initiative billed COB TV, which is geared for existing and potential nembers via the organisation’s social media platforms, as well as a comprehensive educational and public awareness campaign addressing the usages and benefits of services provided. (JH)

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SUPERSTAR AT CONCERT

October 18, 2016, 9:00 pm
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Rihanna to perform at Independence show

Prime Minister the Right Honourable Freundel Stuart greeting Bay Primary students before a press conference at Ilaro Court to outline plans for the host of activities slated for these final weeks leading up to the culmination on Independence Day.

 

International superstar Rihanna will be in the lineup for next month’s Golden Anniversary Spectacular Mega Concert.
 
The Barbadian-born crooner is scheduled to perform the National Anthem, accompanied by a choir of school children, at the Garrison Savannah on the evening of November 30, Independence Day.
 
Making this announcement, Prime Minister Freundel Stuart said that the concert will be a three-part climax of the island’s 50th anniversary. 
 
He was speaking during a press conference yesterday at his official residence, while outlining the host of activities slated for these final weeks leading up to the culmination on Independence Day. 
 
These include a musical theatre production dedicated in memory of the late Dame Nita Barrow entitled ‘Mirror Mirror, Show Me a Hero’; ‘The Road to Destiny’ Exhibition at the Barbados Museum; the Barbados Food and Rum Festival; ‘Nostalgia’ Evening of Elegance at Ilaro Court; Prime Minister’s Dinner and Ball; ‘One People One Barbados Human Chain Link’; and the reveal of the 50th Anniversary of Independence National Monument, amongst other events.
 
Stuart also disclosed that the University of the West Indies Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies has created the ‘Barbados at 50: The Barbados National Values Assessment 2016’, to answer the questions he has continually posed to the nation since the launch of the independence celebrations: What are the features of Barbadian life lost that we need to reclaim, what features that we have not lost that we need to retain, and what features have we not lost that we have to try and discard as quickly as possible.
 
“Some preliminary results will be made public during the month of November. That primary research study will inform us of the views of the population in relation to where we are as a people at this juncture of our 50th anniversary as an independent nation,” he said. (JMB)
 
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BL&P aiming for greater customer control

October 18, 2016, 9:00 pm
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THE Barbados Light & Power (BL&P) is aiming to give customers greater control over their energy use.
 
So says Managing Director, Roger Blackman, as he reviewed some of the initiatives coming on stream during the opening ceremony of a Renewable Energy Symposium hosted by the BL&P in collaboration with the Media Resource Department and the Ministry of Education.
 
Blackman reminded the secondary and tertiary students in attendance that the BL&P is currently investing in grid modernisation, otherwise known as a Smart Grid.
 
“Projects such as the Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project, which starts this year and involves the installation of 130 000 meters over the next three years, are integral to this goal and will provide two-way communication between us the utility and our customers. 
 
It will allow us to introduce new energy services to our customers and eventually will mean no more interim and estimated bills.” He said it will also facilitate higher levels of distributed renewable energy systems.
 
The managing director also expressed excitement about the soon to be launched Demand Side Management pilot programmes for customers. “These pilots, which will begin within the next couple months, would be done in partnership with two of our schools and one of our hotels. It is hoped this initiative will help customers identify concrete ways to use energy more efficiently.”
 
He stressed that the BL&P’s vision is for a transition to 100 per cent renewable energy and 100 per cent electrification over the next 25-30 years.
 
As it relates to electrification, he explained that electricity by itself represents approximately 40 per cent of the overall energy demand on the island.
 
“The other 60 per cent of energy demand is accounted for in the transportation, commercial and industrial sectors through the use of gasoline, diesel and natural gas, LPG.
“So as a country and as an economy if we intend to get to 100 (per cent) clean energy or greening the economy, it means tackling more than just electricity. It means tackling those sectors that don’t currently rely on electricity, converting them over time to electricity and to clean electricity, so that you can get to 100 per cent clean energy economy.”
 
 
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Welches Primary on the right track

October 18, 2016, 9:00 pm
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Students of Welches Primary as they performed during the entertainment segment.

Students of Welches Primary as they performed during the entertainment segment.

Governor General of Barbados, His Excellency Sir Elliott Belgrave and Member of Parliament for St. James Central, Kerrie Symmonds, share a light moment during the ceremony.

Governor General of Barbados, His Excellency Sir Elliott Belgrave and Member of Parliament for St. James Central, Kerrie Symmonds, share a light moment during the ceremony.

By: 
Regina Selman Moore

Welches Primary School has set out on a mission to provide high quality education, which focuses on the needs of students, in an effort to aid them in reaching their highest potential.

This quest has resonated well with Governor General of Barbados, His Excellency Sir Elliott Belgrave, who recently endorsed the school’s mission, outlined in its newly updated handbook.

“I have been provided with a copy of the school’s handbook of information on the Code of Discipline for parents and students. It was recently updated. It is an impressive document. I would recommend it to the teachers, parents and students and urge them to seek always to observe and conform to the rules and regulations, and the precepts it contains,” Sir Elliott remarked, as he delivered an address at the school yesterday, during his official visit there.

“The Mission Statement: To provide a high quality education which focuses on the individual needs of each student, to the extent that each student reaches his or her highest potential, that is praiseworthy.

“The philosophy of the school is that this school believes that each child has varied and unique talents, and can be guided to develop them, to the extent that each child has the opportunity to become a useful and productive citizen. That is also a philosophy that commends itself to me,” the Governor General further stated.

Sir Elliott pointed out that since he has started visiting primary schools on the island, he has been trying to instil in the minds of teachers the need for them to work harder to uplift the children from working class districts, in order for these students to be able to attain upward mobility. He therefore stressed that the school’s handbook seeks to achieve the goals which he has been advocating, all the while he has been visiting local schools.

Stressing that he did not start at the top, but rather, on the lowest rung of the ladder, as he too came from a working class district, one in Boscobel St. Peter, he nevertheless made it clear that by doing hard work, he was able to achieve success and elevate himself. Students who have ambition, are dedicated and willing to work hard, can also achieve any objective they desire, Sir Elliott advised.

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China-Barbados cultural exchange heightens with ‘Beijing Sunset’

October 18, 2016, 9:00 pm
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(From left) DJs Huang Weiwei and Yang Bing from Beijing, China; Minister of Culture, the Hon. Stephen Lashley; Her Excellency Wang Ke, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Barbados and Raymond Wang, delegation of DJs from China, during the press launch of ‘Beijing Sunset’ at Copacabana Beach Club, Bay Street, St. Michael, yesterday.

(From left) DJs Huang Weiwei and Yang Bing from Beijing, China; Minister of Culture, the Hon. Stephen Lashley; Her Excellency Wang Ke, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Barbados and Raymond Wang, delegation of DJs from China, during the press launch of ‘Beijing Sunset’ at Copacabana Beach Club, Bay Street, St. Michael, yesterday.

BarbadoS and China continue to enjoy a rich and ever growing relationship. In fact, cultural exchanges between the two countries reached new heights in 2016, designated China – Latin America and the Caribbean Year of Cultural Exchange.

In July, The People’s Republic of China most graciously hosted a Barbadian contingent of musicians, headed by Nicholas Brancker and Alison Hinds, that was a featured act at China’s inaugural Guiyang International Music Festival. In addition, Barbadian Visual Artist, Glenis Paul, was facilitated in her participation in an Art Exposition and residency, where she presented artworks that drew heavily from her Barbadian heritage.

“Cultural exchanges is one of the very important pillars of our bi-literal relations,” expressed Her Excellency Wang Ke, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Barbados.

The cultural exchange continues on Saturday, October 22nd, at Copacabana Beach Club, when Groove Beach 246 presents ‘Beijing Sunset’, in association with the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) and The People’s Republic of China.

The event will feature DJs Huang Weiwei and Yang Bing from Beijing, along with eight local and international DJs performing on two stages.

Yesterday, during the press launch, Minister of Culture, the Hon. Stephen Lashley, thanked the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China for its supportive and facilitating role in making such exciting exchanges happen during this important year.

He said that ‘Beijing Sunset’ represents the reciprocity of Barbadian hospitality and friendship with China, via a very contemporary and urban art form that is attracting the attention of the two nations’ youth – the growing popularity of Electronic Dance Music (EDM).

“‘Beijing Sunset’ is therefore designed to encourage a cultural exchange of contemporary youth expressions via this art form, principally between Barbados and China, but also featuring the fusions of DJs from Spain and Denmark. As with the Guiyang Festival, this will be truly an international event, and creates the opportunity for our Barbadian Deejays to be exposed to international trends right here on our doorstep,” he said.

Lashley believes the event will cement the importance of Barbados’ cultural and diplomatic community in making links internationally.

“I believe, going forward, what is going to be necessary is the formation of critical strategic alliances, where youth-led cultural businesses – whether in the area of DJ music are otherwise – are going to form key connections and have co-production arrangements with their counterparts in other countries.

“I believe that this will create the platform for building capacity, it will create the platform by which our young musicians, our young entertainers, can earn the kind of revenue that will help to stimulate the growth of their businesses,” he added.

Chief Cultural Officer at the NCF, Andrea Wells, revealed that ‘Beijing Sunset’ will also showcase the NCF’s Crop Over Junior Soca DJs, giving them the opportunity to work along with some of the island’s and China’s top DJs.

“This cultural exchange will give DJs from different hemispheres an opportunity to display their skills, network and discover new music fusions. Beijing Sunset will showcase a selection of unforgettable music that promotes a Caribbean flavour. This event seeks to display the cultural similarities and differences with the evolution of EDM music in Barbados and the rest of the world.” (TL)

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Ministry focusing on preparing students for the world of work

October 18, 2016, 9:00 pm
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THE Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation is committed to the expansion of the implementation of programmes that are compliant with industry standards and those aimed at preparing students for the world of work.
 
Senior Education Officer in the Ministry of Education, Montege Deane-Bowen, has noted that the focus is on programmes that help students develop the appropriate skills, competencies and attitudes that ensure their readiness for the working world.
 
“The Caribbean Vocational Qualification is now prevalent in most of our secondary schools. Most recently, the Ministry has been paying particular attention to incorporating STEM, as an integral part of our educational system. STEM is the acronym for the academic disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics,” Deane-Bowen pointed out.
 
She was at the time making an address during the Secondary Schools Symposium held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre this week. The initiative formed part of the activities planned by the Barbados International Business Association (BIBA), to celebrate International Business Week.
 
“Students, let me emphasise to you that teamwork and problem solving are the new constants. Employers are looking to employ persons who understand how to work in teams, with little or no oversight. They are also looking for persons who have the ability to look at a task and not only see the outcome, but to also imagine different ways of achieving it,” Deane-Bowen meanwhile commented.
 
During the forum, the Education Ministry’s representative also encouraged the fifth and sixth form students to embrace the opportunities provided to them, even as they look to the future.
 
“How many of you know the career path you want to follow? What are your interests? Now is the time to explore all the possibilities. Work hard to develop your skills and of course your character. Be the best that you can be in this competitive world,” Deane-Bowen advised those present. (RSM)
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Educators participate in renewable energy symposium

October 18, 2016, 9:00 pm
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Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Senator Harcourt Husbands.

 

AS part of activities being held to mark Education Month, a Renewable Energy symposium was held yesterday to provide teachers with practical knowledge in the areas of electricity and renewable energy, which in turn they can convey to their students.
 
The event, held at the Barbados Light & Power’s (BL&P) headquarters, was an initiative of the BL&P in collaboration with the Media Resource Depart-ment and the Ministry of Education, and brought together educators from several secondary and tertiary institutions across the island.
 
Parliamentary Secre-tary in the Ministry of Education, Senator Harcourt Husbands, thanked the BL&P for contributing to the event, as he highlighted the importance of the contribution of the private sector to complement the work being carried out by Government, particularly in the education sector.
 
He said that the seminar fits well with the National Sustainable Energy Policy of Barbados, which identifies a number of key areas including renewable energy, the development of an effective Electric Energy Policy, the development of efficiency in the use of non-electric energy and also the sustainable supply and demand for fossil fuels.
 
Senator Husbands also stated that critical to Government’s policy is the development of energy education and awareness.
 
“In the policy, the Government has committed to ensuring that the general public is aware and informed on all matters related to energy resources. Furthermore, the Government recognises the importance of co-operating with businesses and the NGO sector is key to development and awareness of these sustainable energy goals.”
 
He stressed that Government is committed to the acquisition of satisfactory knowledge by those who work in or will work in the future in the energy sector. “While you do not currently work in the energy sector, you are, as teachers in the classroom, key agents for the development of our young students who may seek careers in the energy sector. While I’m not encouraging you to leave teaching, it is important to recognise that there are exciting careers in the area of energy,” he said. (JH)
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Explore jobs in I.B. sector

October 18, 2016, 9:06 pm
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Business students gathered for the Secondary Schools Symposium held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, as part of the activities for International Business Week.

By: 
Regina Selman-Moore

 

A number of fifth and sixth form business students drawn from secondary schools across the island, have been encouraged to explore possible career opportunities in the international business sector.
 
The encouragement came from Senior Education Officer in the Ministry of Education, Montege Deane-Bowen, as she made an address during the Secondary Schools Symposium held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre yesterday. The initiative formed part of the activities to celebrate International Business Week.
 
During the Symposium, Deane-Bowen noted that the Ministry was happy to partner with the Barbados International Business Association (BIBA), to provide a forum for students to learn more about the international business sector and gain exposure to the career opportunities it offers.
 
“I would like to express our deep appreciation to BIBA for partnering with the Ministry of Education in this week of activities and more specifically, for reaching out to our fifth and sixth form students on this occasion, as the Association seeks to ensitise and expose these students to the many and varied opportunities within the intentional business sector. This week of activities also coincides with Education Month, under the theme “Education: 50 and Beyond,” Deane-Bowen commented.
 
Pointing to the relevance and timeliness of the Symposium, held under the theme, “International Business: Charting Your Course”, Deane-Bowen pointed out that it comes at a time when the country’s plans to celebrate its Golden Jubilee of Independence are well advanced and, as such, persons are called upon to not only reflect with pride on the educational achievements attained thus far, but to approach the future with renewed optimism.
 
“It also coincides with the graduation ceremony of the University of the West Indies on Saturday last, when hundreds of Barbadians gained degrees in management studies and other related disciplines. Today, I post a fundamental question. How many of those graduates would be willing to dispel the myth that International Business is the exclusive preserve of the so-called foreigners and pursue further studies in this area?” the Education rep added.
 
“This is where BIBA is imploring us to embrace the opportunities in the area of International Business. This effort of BIBA to point graduates and school leavers in the non-traditional areas of employment, must therefore be complimented” she remarked, whilst encouraging students to grab the opportunities presented, with both hands. (RSM)
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LIAT CUTTING ROUTES

October 19, 2016, 9:00 pm
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Chairman of LIAT’s Shareholder Board, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves (left) makes a point during a press conference yesterday while Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Freundel Stuart looks on.

Chairman of LIAT’s Shareholder Board, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves (left) makes a point during a press conference yesterday while Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Freundel Stuart looks on.

 

LIAT, the Caribbean airline which currently operates 548 flights per week – consisting of approximately 78 daily flights to 18 destinations – will soon be taking action to remove all non-performing routes, following a commercial assessment to be made by its management.
 
Chairman of LIAT’s Shareholder Board, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, made the announcement yesterday during a press conference which followed LIAT’s Shareholder Government Meeting, held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.
 
Accompanying Dr Gonsalves was Prime Minister of Barbados, The Rt. Hon. Freundel Stuart; Minister of Public Utilities, Civil Aviation and Transport for Antigua and Barbuda, Sir Robin Yearwood; Barbados’ Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Richard Sealy; LIAT’s Chairman Dr. Jean Holder; and LIAT’s Acting CEO Julie Reifer-Jones.
 
In light of a number of limitations facing the airline, Dr.  Gonsalves noted that an action plan was formed, and as part of that plan certain routes will be cut.
 
“A critical review of the schedule has to be fine-tuned. Clearly, LIAT needs to do fewer routes, but do what we are doing much better. So this would mean eliminating some routes and cooperating with third party carriers on those routes. And LIAT has to continue removing non-performing routes as appropriate, based on a commercial assessment,” he pointed out.
 
Noting that LIAT’s management has identified areas where they are seeing negative returns, he suggested that it will be up to management to make the determination as to which routes are to be cut. However, this will be done in accordance with the policy laid down by the shareholders, he stated.
 
Giving the assurance that it will not be a simple “chop and cut”, Gonsalves said that some time will be needed to make key adjustments. 
 
In terms of weekly LIAT flights, figures given indicate that Barbados heads the list with 112, followed by Antigua with 69, and St. Vincent with 49. Other countries down the line include St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Dominica and Grenada respectively.
 
Gonsalves meanwhile revealed that at the Shareholder Meeting, the three shareholder governments were asked to put up an additional $5 million for LIAT.
 
“In going forward, we the shareholders, we are requesting to approve an additional $5 million dollars Eastern Caribbean - to be divided in the proportionate shares between Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Dominica is a shareholder, but given their challenges with Erika, we are not asking anything of them in this round,” he explained.
 
On the heels of that, Gonsalves noted that there is still a long term capitalisation issue to be addressed with the Caribbean Development Bank. It was also noted that the shareholder governments will be looking to have more participation from the other territories which benefit from the LIAT network, and those governments which desire more routes will have to put some money into the airline. (RSM)
 
 
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Barbados scores high on rule of law index

October 19, 2016, 9:00 pm
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BARBADOS is among the top countries in the World Justice Project (WJP) report index, which measures how the rule of law is experienced by the public globally.
 
In its 2016 annual report, the WJP has placed Barbados fourth out of 30 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. It also came in 27th out of 36 high income countries and 28th out of 113 countries and jurisdictions worldwide. 
 
Barbados scored well in other categories of the index as well, which is intended to be the first step in setting benchmarks, informing and guiding reforms, and deepening appreciation and understanding for the foundational importance of the rule of law.
 
The WJP Rule of Law index is the world’s leading source for original data on the rule of law. The 2016 edition expands coverage to 113 countries and jurisdictions from (102 in 2015), relying on more than 100 000 households and expert surveys to measure how the rule of law is experienced in practical everyday situations by the general public worldwide.
 
Performance is measured using 44 indicators across eight primary rule of law factors, each of which is scored and ranked globally and against regional and income peers. 
 
These are: Constraints on Government Powers; Absence of Corruption; Open Government; Fundamental Rights; Order and security; Regulatory Enforcement; Civil Justice; and Criminal Justice. 
 
Barbados received an overall score of 0.67, bettered only by Uruguay (0.72), Costa Rica (0.68) and Chile (0.68) in Latin America and the Caribbean. Antigua and Barbuda received a similar overall score but did not do as well in other categories.
 
“Effective rule of law is the foundation for communities of peace, equity,and opportunity,’ said William H. Neukom, WJP Founder and CEO.
 
He said that no country has ever attained - let alone sustained – a perfect realisation of the rule of law.  (JB)
   
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BRSA: Follow Actavo’s lead

October 20, 2016, 9:00 pm
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President of the Barbados Road Safety Association (BRSA) Sharmane Roland-Bowen showing the reflective safety vests donated by Actavo, alongside Richard Scott, Safe, Health, Environmental and Quality (SHEQ)Manager at Actavo (Barbados); Actavo employees and Executive Member of BRSA, Carson Lee.

By: 
Tanya Lightbourne

 

President of the Barbados Road Safety Association (BRSA) Sharmane Roland-Bowen is calling on local companies to follow the lead of Actavo.
“I admire this company’s commitment to promoting safe driving practices among its employees,” she expressed.
 
Actavo is a leading international strategic operations partner operating in over 100 locations. Its global workforce delivers Industrial Solutions, Network Solutions, In-Home Solutions, Hire & Sales Solutions, Event Solutions and Building Solutions to the world’s leading companies.
 
With a presence in Ireland, United Kingdom, United States and the Caribbean, Actavo is currently rolling out one of the largest fibre to the home networks in the world, among its key clients is Digicel.
 
Striving to deliver on its strategic goal of Zero Harm, the company’s Safe, Health, Environmental and Quality (SHEQ) teams ensure that everyone who works for and on behalf of them, goes home safe every day, including their clients and members of the public who interact with its operations.
 
Road safety is one of the many important areas Actavo impresses upon its employees, which is being reinforced during SHEQ week – 17th to 21st October.
 
“Actavo is one of those companies that takes responsibility and looks out for their employees who drive for work purposes. Policies and procedures are in place to protect their drivers. By protecting their drivers and ensuring that their drivers are competent, they are in turn protecting other road users that their drivers would come into contact with…It is a quality we would like to see embraced by other employers who have people who drive for work.”
 
Roland-Bowen was speaking to the Barbados Advocate at Actavo’s office at Manor Lodge Business Complex, Lodge Hill St Michael after being presented with 150 children Reflective Safety Vests.
 
Richard Scott, SHEQ Manager at Actavo (Barbados) commended the work of the Barbados Road Safety Association, which ties in perfectly with Actavo’s focus.
 
“The main focus which we had from last year into this year is one on driver safety. We are very fortunate to have an extremely good year. We launched a defensive driving programme for our employees. Within that programme we them launched a fleetmatic system which tracks our vehicles giving live feedback of them, that we can tailor our feedback to the employees.”
 
“We have had a decrease in road traffic collision rate of 75%, we also had a reduction in speeding breaches of 90%. This year we intend to focus again on the positive safety culture of driving and again want to focus on actually reducing the road traffic collision rate towards zero…,” he said.
 
With about 90 drivers employed, Scott stressed “If we do feel that a certain driver is not performing to maybe the standard which we require, one of the corrective actions is that they have to go back through the defensive driving programme to assure us that they are a good safe driver.”
 
In addition to the donation to the BRSA, Actavo has pledged its support to BRSA’s “Accident Free Friday” initiative on November 25th.
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PM Stuart on National colours

October 20, 2016, 9:00 pm
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I encourage all Barbadians at home and abroad to come out and be a part of the celebrations for the remainder of the year

 

As the country draws closer to celebrating its Golden Jubilee, Barbadians are being asked to show their patriotic pride by painting the island in ultramarine and gold in November.
 
Commenting on the annual lighting ceremony, which is held on the first day of that month, Prime Minister Freundel Stuart encouraged all persons to also get involved in the venture.
 
“I am urging all homes and businesses in Barbados to literally light up in the national colours so that during the month of November, Barbados will be a sea of ultramarine and gold as we approach the 50th Anniversary of Independence,” he said.
 
Outlining a host of upcoming events winding up to the big climax on November 30, which includes the enhanced Independence Day Parade and the Mega Concert where Barbados’ International superstar Rihanna will sing the National Anthem along with a multi-school choir, Stuart also coaxed communities and the private sector to host their own events.
 
“I encourage all Barbadians at home and abroad to come out and be a part of the celebrations for the remainder of the year,” the PM added.
 
Admitting that the island was facing several internal and external challenges, he nevertheless insisted that locals should use this time to celebrate its achievements.
“It is not the time for us to get distracted by trying to inject poison in the nation’s bloodstream. This is the time for positive efforts, positive engagement. This is our country and we have to make sure that we make it the best that it can be,” Stuart highlighted.
 
Fielding questions from the media on Tuesday at Illaro Court, his official residence, he assured the nation that all the activities for the island’s 50th Anniversary of Independence had not gone over budget.
 
While unable to give a breakdown of the funds, he insisted, “what I can say is up to now, the 50th anniversary celebrations are securely within budget.” (JMB)
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SMARTER NOT TOUGHER

October 20, 2016, 9:00 pm
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Criminologist has her say on call for stiffer gun laws in Barbados

 

Barbados does not necessarily need tougher laws to address the pervasive problem of gun violence. What may be needed is enforcement of the existing laws, namely the Firearms Act.
 
Director of the Criminal Justice Research and Planning Unit (CJRPU), Cheryl Willoughby noted the above, as she fielded questions from members of the media, during a break from the recently held Career Showcase for secondary school students, hosted by her Unit at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.
 
“We have the Firearms Act already. We need to just have those things under that Act followed. Again, as a criminologist, laws only restrict behaviour, they don’t change behaviour and so, we may incarcerate a person for ten years for gun violence, but that does not prevent him from coming back out and recidivating and committing an even more serious offence. 
 
“So I think that in addition to stronger laws, we also need to have strong rehabilitation programmes,” Willoughby stated.
 
“We need to have opportunities for ex-offenders to reintegrate back into society properly, because right now, our recidivism rate is over 60 per cent. People are reoffending as early as six months after leaving prison, so it tells me that we need to either strengthen the programmes up there at the prison or we need to have systems in place at the community level, so that ex-offenders can reintegrate back into society,” she added.
 
Willoughby noted that her Unit conducted a study in relation to the reintegration of ex-offenders into society and the research shows that one of the barriers to re-integration is that of substance abuse.“We have a lot of persons up at (the prison) who are addicted to substances and you cannot treat substance abuse in six months, in a year. It is a long-term process,” she pointed out.“They have problems with having access to employment. Barbados is small and there is a stigma attached to incarceration. Once a criminal, always a criminal, that is the thinking of my fellow Barbadians. So it’s hard then for a person to come back out of prison and get themselves resettled in a career and family situation as well. They have no choice, but to go back on the block and get themselves back into criminal activity again,” the director suggested. (RSM)
 
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International Business Sector making significant contribution

October 20, 2016, 9:00 pm
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Minister of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development, Donville Inniss (right) speaking with President of Barbados International Business Association (BIBA) Gregory McConnie (left) and BIBA Executive Director, Henderson Holmes, at the opening of the International Business Week Conference 2016 at Hilton yesterday.

 

Minister of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development Donville Inniss, has maintained that International Business continues to benefit the lives of Barbadians.
 
The Minister maintained that there are a myriad of positive impacts for the Barbadian economy from this important sector. He explained that, “Many of our citizens appear to have the notion that the area of international business is far removed from the average Barbadian and that it is one in which only the affluent are directly involved. But the evidence reveals otherwise. There is no doubt, that this sector has a multiplier effect, as it touches so many other areas of economic activity across Barbados, including real estate; professional services such as accounting, legal and tax; hospitality; construction; information and communication technology; and even education – industries in which many average Barbadians are employed.”
 

Part of the spin-off impacts of the sector, the Minister maintained, is the economic and social development of the country. “As the second largest contributor to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), second only to Tourism, and apart from contributing almost ten per cent to the country’s GDP, the sector has also generated thousands of local jobs across the nearly 4 000 active international business entities.  Each year these entities pay corporation and other taxes, licence fees as well as salaries, rents, utilities, entertainment and other local expenses – this revenue helps to drive our economy,” the Minister pointed out.

 

He also gave tremendous credit to the Barbados International Business Association (BIBA) for its efforts within the sector. “I wish to again thank BIBA for their outstanding leadership in developing this sector and to reassure you that the Government considers BIBA to be our most critical partner in this industry. I urge those of you who are not members of BIBA, to do so as a matter of urgency and help us to better shape this sector in a more collaborative and cohesive manner.” (NB)

 
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