Connect with us

Caribbean News

JAMAICA: Stakeholders Grateful for Ministry of Education’s Robotics Workshop

Published

on

#MontegoBay, December 31, 2021 – Stakeholders and participants in the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Information’s robotics workshop are hoping the new year will bring another staging of the programme, as they have deemed it a fulfilling and worthwhile project which teaches a valuable skills.

The robotics initiative formed part of the Ministry’s Enrichment Programme which was designed to provide students who perform differently from their peers (whether significantly above or below), with instructional experiences that both extend and build.

There are students whose social needs are also not met in the classroom and others that are also possible gifted under-achievers.   In noting certain behaviours, the practitioners who taught in the programme looked for opportunities to provide these pupils with specialised services to assist with their growth for the primary years.

For the summer school, children were placed in performance tiers, a number being in tier three which suggested that they were weak.  The ministry took the decision that regardless of the tier they were diagnosed to be in, they could benefit from these extension activities that stretch the thinking and excite the hands.

Due to the number of children who needed to be assisted, three schools were chosen – Central Branch Primary in Kingston, Golden Spring Primary in St. Andrew, and Corinaldi Avenue Primary in St. James.

Some 32 students were engaged in the initiative with sessions held in groups of eight.

In an interview with JIS News, Principal (Acting) of Corinaldi Avenue Primary Deon Stern-Anglin, stated that the students thoroughly enjoyed the programme.

“They enjoyed themselves; this programme was used to reach all learners…it was a good programme. We would have wanted it for a longer period, but it was an interesting programme. I just want to thank the Ministry of Education region four… This is a school that builds whole persons because we believe in the holistic child, so we take on to these programmes as they come, we are ready to be part of it,” Mrs. Stern-Anglin said.

Principal of Central Branch Primary, Michael Sutherland told JIS News that the children were fully engaged throughout their session.

“Even though it was a long day, they [the students] never seemed to be tired of what they were doing, they loved it, and this is something that I wish that we could have throughout the year in the school, because this is the practical area that most children have interest in, especially our boys. They love this sort of hands-on experience and I just wish that other schools can get to experience the joys they experienced in this workshop,” Mr. Sutherland expressed.

He added that the children who participated were “very focused and [even though it was a long [session], they never seemed bored or even tired, they were really excited…. I would love to have an ongoing summer programme like this, it would be nice to have something like this as a club in the school.”

Children from grades three to six participated in the initiative at the school.

The principal noted that his biggest takeaway from the programme was “no matter how challenged students are, there is always something to grab their interest, and this was one of them.”

Twelve-year-old student of Central Branch, Annabelle Dias, told JIS News that she loved the workshop during the summer period, as the COVID-19 pandemic has been very difficult for some of the students who participated.

Fellow student Vernon Llewelyn stated that he enjoyed looking out for the younger participants during the initiative, however, his favourite part of the programme was putting robotic cars together.

Young Vernon, who was awarded the most outstanding student of the programme, told JIS News that he was proud to receive the honour, and noted that he is seeking to hold on to the title should the programme be held next year.

Enrichment Programme Specialist at the Ministry of Education Shauner Murray, who spearheaded the initiative, noted that the children who participated shone and excelled despite any academic weaknesses.

“That’s the value of enrichment, because in a regular classroom, they would not have been selected for an activity like that because nobody would think they could be exposed to programming although they didn’t do it in detail, nobody would think they could assimilate all of this,” she said.

Ms. Murray also noted that the ministry conducted the programme in partnership with the National Science Programme and Carlong Publishers. Students from the University of Technology (UTech) volunteered as instructors for the initiative.

She noted that Carlong Publishers, who was one of the major sponsors, donated some US$1,000 to purchase all the model cars and robotics supplies. Other supplies were donated by the National Science Programme.

Ms. Murray also told JIS News that enrichment clubs will be placed in the three participating schools, “with enough resources for the children to actually do model cars, robotics and get more involved in auto mechanics.”

“That was not initially our plan but seeing how interested the students are we are now looking at [it]. We want to get mentors for these clubs, people who will be with them online once per month and work with them,” she stated.

Ms. Murray noted that she was not sure if the robotics summer programme will become an annual event.

 

Contact: Serena Grant

Release: JIS

 

 

Continue Reading

Caribbean News

Widow’s Testimony Recounts Night Haiti President Was Killed

Published

on

MIAMI, Florida — Emotional testimony from Martine Moïse, the widow of assassinated Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, has given jurors in a U.S. federal courtroom a chilling account of the night gunmen stormed the presidential residence and killed the country’s leader.

Martine Moïse took the stand this week in Miami as part of the ongoing trial of several men accused of helping plan and finance the July 7, 2021 assassination, a crime that plunged Haiti into political crisis and remains only partially solved.

She told the court that armed men forced their way into the president’s private home in the hills above Port-au-Prince during the early morning hours, firing multiple shots at her husband while she lay beside him. She testified that she was also wounded in the attack and survived by pretending to be dead until the gunmen left the room.

According to prosecutors, the plot involved a group of foreign mercenaries, including former Colombian soldiers, along with Haitian and Haitian-American suspects. Investigators say some of the men believed the mission was to detain the president, but the operation turned into an assassination.

The Miami trial is focusing on the alleged role of South Florida businessmen and others accused of organizing or financing the plan, part of a wider international investigation that has stretched across several countries.

More than four years after the killing, the question of who ultimately ordered the assassination remains unanswered, with suspects still in custody in both Haiti and the United States as the case continues to unfold.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

Continue Reading

Caribbean News

Jamaica Joins Afreximbank Agreement, Strengthening Africa–Caribbean Partnership

Published

on

CARIBBEAN — Jamaica has become the 13th CARICOM member state to accede to the African Export-Import Bank Establishment Agreement, further strengthening economic ties between Africa and the Caribbean.

The development was confirmed during the 50th CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting, where an Afreximbank delegation led by George Elombi and Kanayo Awani met with Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness to advance cooperation.

Prime Minister Holness thanked the bank for its support following Jamaica’s recent hurricane, noting that Afreximbank financing helped restore critical infrastructure including water, electricity, sewage systems and roads, while also assisting reconstruction efforts aimed at building stronger resilience to future disasters.

The meeting also focused on broader development opportunities tied to Jamaica’s membership in the agreement. Discussions included rebuilding and modernising infrastructure such as railways, hospitals and other public facilities, while strengthening regional transportation and trade networks to improve the movement of people and goods across the Caribbean.

Afreximbank has been expanding its presence in the Caribbean as part of its strategy to connect Africa with the region often referred to as “Global Africa.” The bank has already committed billions of dollars in financing and trade support to Caribbean economies in recent years, including funding for infrastructure, trade facilitation and private sector investment.

By joining the agreement, Jamaica gains expanded access to Afreximbank’s financial instruments, technical support and trade networks designed to promote commerce between Africa and CARICOM states.

Regional leaders say the growing partnership could unlock new opportunities in areas such as trade, logistics, tourism, manufacturing and cultural exchange, strengthening economic cooperation between the two regions with deep historical and diaspora ties.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

Continue Reading

Caribbean News

Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

Published

on

Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.

The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.

“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.

“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”

Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.

Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.

Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.

Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.

Photo Caption: 

TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain

Continue Reading

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

TRENDING