News

Students Of Cavaliers All-Age Receive Tablet Computers

Published

12 years ago

September 20, 2014

KINGSTON, Sept. 17 (JAMAICA INFORMATION SERVICE PRESS RELEASE): The nearly 100 students of Cavaliers All-age School in West Rural St. Andrew began receiving tablet computers today (September 17), as the Government’s $1.4 billion Tablets in Schools pilot programme was rolled out at the institution.

The school is the second to be equipped, following a similar exercise at Salt Savannah Primary and Infant School in Clarendon, last week.

In July, the school’s staff, comprising six teachers, one guidance counsellor, and the principal, received their tablets and were trained in their use.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Minister of Science, Technology, Energy, and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, described the project’s implementation as “gratifying”, pointing out that the long-term objective is facilitating access by all persons to information and communications technology (ICT).

He assured that “every single student at Cavaliers and every single teacher will get a tablet computer.”
Minister Paulwell said the pilot is important, as if it goes well, then the programme will be rolled out to benefit over 600,000 students, who attend Government schools in Jamaica, and their teachers.

In his remarks, West Rural St. Andrew Member of Parliament, Paul Buchanan, welcomed the project’s implementation at Cavaliers, pointing out that it will provide the basis for the children “to learn and obtain the skills that are necessary to give us… growth.”

“You are one of the pioneer schools…of this programme. We are making a statement that…(you) will be availed of all the resources to ensure that our children get…the best education there can be,” he added.

School Principal, Renée Charlton-Wolfe, said she is “elated” and “honoured’ that her institution is among those selected for the year-long pilot.

She pointed out that the technology will “definitely” assist in advancing the students’ educational development.

“It’s (an ideal) way, I think, of getting them really involved in learning, and we are really excited about the opportunities that this will create for the children,” she stated.

Ms. Charlton-Wolfe also anticipates significant benefits for the teachers “because we will all be able to improve our technical skills.”

Parent Fabian Durrant, whose son was among the first recipients, welcomed the undertaking.
“This is historic; I am sure the children will appreciate and make use of the tablets. I see (the project advancing) the way the children will learn and the way education will be brought across. I am sure that if they find fun in learning, it will be easier for them to…grasp what they (are being) taught,” he said.

Mr. Durrant noted that his nine-year old son, Jevauny, who is in grade four, has been performing well academically, having recorded 11 A’s and 14 B’s in his final report for the 2013/14 school year, and expressed confidence that the Tablets in Schools project, will further enhance his son’s performance.

“I am proud, and quite sure that Jevauny will advance. I appreciate (what) the teachers (are doing for) the children; it’s a good sign of what is happening at the school,” he added.

Simone James, whose daughter, 10-year old Grade Six student, Tianah Polo, was also presented with a tablet, said she is “elated…because (the tablet will) help with homework”, adding that “it will also help with preparations for the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT).”

“The (Tablets in Schools Project is) a very good programme. I am thankful to the Ministry and the E-learning programme for implementing it. Tianah is doing exceptionally well and (the tablet she received) will (enable her to do even better),”
Ms. James said.

The Tablets in Schools Pilot Project, being undertaken by the Ministries of Science, Technology, Energy, and Mining, and Education, is being implemented in 38 educational institutions over the next 12 months. It is targeted at 24,000 students and 1,200 teachers in six pre-primary, 13 primary, five all-age and junior high, 12 high schools, one teacher’s college, and one special education institution.

In addition to the distribution of tablets, the initiative also involves delivery of computers and multimedia devices, including interactive white-boards/projectors, scanners, printers to pre-primary and primary schools. This is in addition to the installation of Wi-Fi at all institutions.

Following a review of the pilot, the project is expected to be rolled out in other institutions across the island, targeting an additional 600,000 students and teachers.

The Tablets in Schools project is being executed by e-Learning Jamaica Company Limited.

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Bahamas News

Royal Bahamas Police Force – ARRAIGNMENT NOTICE

Published

3 days ago

August 27, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

The Bahamas, August 27, 2026 – The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to inform members of the public that several individuals are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 27th August 2026, at 12:00 noon.

The individuals and charges are as follows:

An 18-year-old female is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:

Three (3) counts of Murder
Three (3) counts of Attempted Murder
Three (3) counts of Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
Three (3) counts of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm
Two (2) counts of Possession of Ammunition
Armed Robbery
Abetment to Armed Robbery
Stealing
Receiving

The charges stem from three separate shooting incidents and an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 21st August 2026, and Saturday, 22nd August 2026.

The first shooting occurred in the area of Soldier Road and Baillou Hill Road, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old male.

The second shooting occurred in the area of Joe Farrington Road, resulting in the death of a 52-year-old male.

The third shooting occurred in the area of Gladstone Road, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old male.

The armed robbery occurred at a business establishment in the area of Carmichael Road and Baillou Hill Road.

A 21-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on one charge of:

Murder

The charge stems from a shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, in the area of Samson Street, Nassau Village, which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old male.

A 32-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:

Murder
Attempted Murder

These charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, 24th December 2025, in the area of Graham Drive, Yellow Elder, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old male.

RBPF, PACD

News

Saunders Tells Caribbean Media: Be Seen, Be Heard – But What About TCI

Published

5 days ago

August 25, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”

Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”

Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.

The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.

Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.

Saunders believes AI can help.

He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.

He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.

His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”

For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.

That last sentence is where I think we land the plane. It acknowledges that EJ actually has some us

Bahamas News

Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday

Published

1 week ago

August 20, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.

Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.

According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.

The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.

Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.

However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.

The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.

PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band