THE VINCENTIAN PDF-16-07-21

FRIDAY, JULY

16, 2021

VOLUME 115, No.28

Prison diary mystery Page 4

www.thevincentian.com

Where lies the police force?

Page 10

Featuring Nadia Huggins Page 12

EC$1.50

Relocation process begins Page 13

Parliament on July 6 raised by the Leader of the Opposition Dr Godwin Friday, during the DESPITE THE MANY EXPRESSIONS to the July 8 Meeting of the House. contrary, Prime Minister and Minister of Dr. Friday told the House that there were National Security Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has numerous allegations of incidents where the stated that the police exhibited extraordinary police were said to have manhandled the restraint during the protests that were held on protesters who had gathered outside July 6.

Parliament.

The issue of what transpired outside According to Friday, he was informed of an incident during which a protester was While leader of the Opposition Dr. Godwin Friday pushed by two members of the Rapid (right) gave indication of possible police Response Unit (RRU), aka the ‘Black misconduct during the July 6 street protest in Squad’.

Kingstown, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves lauded the police for their restraint.

Continued on Page 3.

by DAYLE DA SILVA

Diagnostic tests concerns Page 24

2. FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2021. 3.

News 3 Dr. Friday distances party from comments

OPPOSITION LEADER, Dr Godwin Friday has disassociated the New Democratic Party, and by extension himself, from comments that appeared on social media suggesting that what transpired in Haiti ought to happen here.

That country’s President, Jovenel Moïse , was shot and killed at his private residence on July 7. His wife was injured in the attack.

In a Meeting of the House of Assembly on July 8, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves referred to online comments that, “…have been referred to me saying that they want to see…. they want those who did the killing in Haiti must come to deal with the dictator in St Vincent.”

Dr. Gonsalves said that while he was live on radio on July 7, he received a text message that what occurred in Haiti was what happened to people who wanted to hold on to power for too long.

According to Gonsalves, there was concern for his safety by members of his family based on those social media postings and what he had been informed through intelligence.

“I simply said nobody intimidates me, and I’m okay,” he said.

This prompted the Leader of the Opposition to disassociate his party from any affiliation to individuals or groups promoting the message.

Dr. Friday, in his response condemned the killing in Haiti as an abhorrent act, one that the NDP sees in any way as a model for guidance for any actions here or anywhere in the

The assassination of President Jovenel Moïse (left) and the serious injury to his wife has aroused some unworthy comment and references on social media here.

Caribbean or elsewhere.

“So any attempt to try to suggest that this is an inclination, or some position that the NDP may wish to advance, it is totally false, wrong- headed and ought to be stopped in this House.” (DD)

‘Police showed restraint,’ PM

Police Station, and that he was subsequently He said that the officers transferred to patrol. were said to have pushed Dr. Friday called for the the protester dangerously Prime Minister to look into close to an open drain, the matter. putting him in harm’s way.

“Because I don’t know Continuing, Dr. Friday how on one hand you can said he was informed that encourage the another officer, allegedly a professionalism of the police Special Services Unit (SSU) and here you have an officer, approached the officer… exercising his scene and told the RU judgment as a senior officer officers, that that was not in a situation and then his actions get collared by the fact that his mother calls into NICE Radio and that he is from Bequia,” the Leader of the THE OTTLEY HALL MARINA thrust of Opposition expressed AND SHIPYARD is still 2,500 with some functional despite there not being tonnes vehemence. a dry dock. which put But Gonsalves said The other aspects of the an extreme that he was not going facility, so much so the repair of pressure to question the vessels service, staffed by 28 on the 104 Commissioner of employees, generated EC$800,000 lock down Police about any in 2018. bolts, and transfer of any officer.

This information was disclosed in the “I was hoping that

by Senator Julian Francis, weakened we didn’t get into a Minister of Urban Development, state due discussion about what Airport, Seaport, Energy and the to 25 years was heard that Grenadines Affairs; in response to of transpired on a question from Leader of the corrosion, Tuesday (July 6), The ship repair facility at the Opposition Dr Godwin Friday, in half of the bolts on one side because several Otlley Hall Marina and Shipyard Parliament on July 6. failed,” he said. incidents were drawn is operational. to my attention by Francis was asked about the When this happened, the dry observers and also by Ottley Hall Marina and its dock was ruptured, Francis told said. the police,” Dr. operations following the collapse the Parliament.

But the facility was still Gonsalves said. of the Marina’s dry dock in 2019.

Regarding repair work, Francis functioning although it needs “And I would not In his response, Francis said that there were several some clean-up and upgrading. speak to any of those explained that the collapse was options available but none of them Francis did state, however, that reports as caused by corrosion which would be cheap. the advice is not to touch the authoritative other weakened the steel structure of “The repair of the dry dock will repair of the dry dock at this time. than to say that they the dry dock. absorb 80 percent of the repair of (DD) were what I heard.

“When empty, there was an up the cost of the entire shipyard,” he Continued from Front Page.

how it was done.

“Because he recognized the danger and the unnecessary use of force that was being exhibited there, and you would think that that was the end of it,” Friday said.

The Opposition Leader said that he was told that the SSU officer was in fact reprimanded by the Commissioner of Police on his return to the Central

Dry dock too costly to repair

The conclusion on Tuesday is that the police acted with extraordinary restraint in all the circumstances,” he continued.

The prime minister said that the restraint was such that there was a vehicle which was alleged to have broken down and which remained blocking the road for a period of time, before it was moved away.

That matter was being investigated and therefore he was not able to comment further on that incident.

(The driver of that vehicle has since been charged) He said that he had received many reports from a number of different sources about the actions of members of the police force.

“But I will caution the Opposition Leader not to accept the word of a policeman who was transferred by the Commissioner from one unit to another.”

And while Dr. Gonsalves said he told the Commissioner that matters of a security nature was in his domain and he, as prime minister, was not in a position to tell him what to do, he also reminded the Commissioner that persons had the right to protest peacefully and within the framework of the law and that he did not support any police officer beating a peaceful protester.

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4. FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN

Court

Prison diary mystery in officer’s case next Tuesday, July 20 to accommodate out for years, and if need be, he will September 24, the retired Superintendent. ask the Court to summon the 2019 and October RETIRED Superintendent of Prisons When the trial resumed on individual who made that reference.

2, 2019, ‘did agree Brenton Charles is expected to be Wednesday, with Lead Investigator Connell did not say who that with Veron Primus recalled to the witness stand in the case Assistant Superintendent of Police individual was. that a course of of Prison Officer Louis Cupid.

Elgin Richards taking the stand, Chief Senior Prosecutor Adolphus conduct shall be Cupid is on trial in connection with Magistrate Rechanne Browne granted Delpleche said he had suggested to the pursued which if the 2019 escape of murder accused an application by Cupid’s lawyer, Investigator that Connell be allowed the agreement was Veron Primus from Her Majesty’s Grant Connell, to recall the retired to make an application for the retired carried out in Prison, Kingstown.

Superintendent to shed some light as Prison Superintendent to be recalled accordance with The matter has been adjourned to to what happened to the diary for the to the witness stand to shed some his intention, will prison dormitory where light on the issue, as the Investigator amount to the Cupid was working, could not provide any answers.

Commission of the during Primus’ escape Connell, while agreeing to make offence of escaping Retired Superintendent between September 29 that application, indicated that it was lawful custody’. of Prisons and October 1, 2019. unfortunate to have to upset Brenton Primus is Brenton Charles.

Connell reminded the Charles’ retirement, and have him awaiting trial for Court that he was recalled to the witness stand, because the November 2015 granted an application the Investigator has admitted he knew stabbing death of for disclosure of the nothing about the diary which has the 36-year-old Real Estate Agent A 38-YEAR-OLD WOMAN of diary, but to date there record of the area he is investigating. Sharlene Greaves of Dorsetshire Hill.

Georgetown/Mt. Grennan has has been no disclosure.

According to Connell, that diary He was reported missing from Her been slapped with six traffic Connell said that ASP will tell you who, when, where, what Majesty’s Prison, Kingstown around related charges, in connection Richards, as the Lead and why with regard to Primus’ 10 a.m. on October 1, 2019. He turned with the blocking of the road Investigator, should go escape. himself in at the Central Police during a protest July 6 on oath and say what he Cupid has been charged with, Station around 2 p.m. the same day, outside the House of Assembly did with regard to between September 29, 2019 and accompanied by attorney Jomo which was in session. locating this diary, in October 2, 2019 in Kingstown, ‘being Thomas, a few hours after the police Koreen Ballantyne, said to order to facilitate the employed in the public service in St. had issued a wanted bulletin for him. have been a participant in the order for disclosure, and Vincent and the Grenadines as a Primus was taken before the protest, has been charged if the diary doesn’t exist, prison officer did, in abuse of the Serious Offences Court the following with, being the driver of he must say so. authority of his officer, an arbitrary day where he pleaded guilty to PD962, failed to remove that According to Connell, act prejudicial to the rights of the escaping lawful custody, and was vehicle when requested to do so by a Koreen it is public knowledge Superintendent of Prisons, to wit, sentenced to 16 months in prison.

Ballantyne police officer in uniform, when the that reference has been conspired to aid in the escape of Veron Cupid is on suspension pending the vehicle was placed in such a position made to the dormitory Primus from lawful custody’. outcome of his matter. so as to cause obstruction to the free flow of diaries not being filled Cupid is also charged with, between traffic.

Ballantyne is also charged with driving that vehicle without being the holder of a driving permit, and driving without insurance. She is additionally charged with playing a musical instrument without the written permission of the CHIEF Magistrate Rechanne lawyer, he would have ended up age, no previous convictions, his Commissioner of Police, causing unnecessary Browne has lauded attorney with a tougher sentence. remorse, and corporation with the obstruction to traffic, and causing inconveniences Grant Connell for his sterling She pointed out that the police. to the public in exercise of their rights. mitigation plea on behalf of his maximum penalty for gun or She told Laidlow, “You are still All six offences were reportedly committed on client - Mickel Laidlow of Old ammunition possession in the young.

You have an opportunity Hillsboro Street, Kingstown around 4:45 p.m on Montrose.

Magistrate’s Court is seven years to redeem yourself.”

July 6.

Laidlow had changed his plea in prison, and there are In mitigation, Connell told the Ballantyne was summoned to appear in Court to gun and ammunition charges sentencing guidelines which she Court that the gun was never on Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to the from not guilty to guilty on must follow. brandished, that his client charges when she stood before Chief Magistrate Monday, and was sentenced at Laidlow did not receive the full cooperated with police, and was Rechanne Browne who was presiding over traffic the Serious Offences Court on one-third reduction in sentence extremely remorseful. offices at the Serious Offences Court.

Tuesday, to two years and two for his not guilty plea because it He noted that the gun was Attorney Israel Bruce is representing her months for possession of a was not entered at the first homemade firearm, three months available opportunity. found in the “bosom” of his client’s Ballantyne who will return to Court on August 11 for possession of a 12-guage He was instead given a onefor trial. bedroom during a police search on shotgun ammunition, and one tenth reduction. In addition, he As the frenzy among the protestors heightened December 4, 2020. month for possession of 498 grams benefitted from a further oneon July 6, they took to pushing the steal He suggested that in light of of marijuana with intent to month reduction in sentence, for barricades, placed in front of the House of the present situation with supply. good behaviour.

Assembly building, to the ground, and blocking COVID-19, non-custodial The sentences are to run Browne found no aggravating vehicle traffic on Back Street. sentences could be imposed, with concurrently. factors in relation to him or the The police had to move into action to maintain those sentences being possibly on But the Chief Magistrate told offence.

However, among the law and order. the lower end of the sentence Laidlow that had it not been for mitigating factors in relation to the strong mitigation plea by his the defendant she highlighted his structure.

Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS

Protestor slapped with traffic charges

Magistrate lauds lawyer

Two charged with forging vaccination card TWO MEN will return to the Serious Offences Court July 23, in connection with the alleged forging of a vaccination card.

Jeffton Lewis, 30-year-old clerk of Diamond and Gabriel Hutchins, 47-year-old Chef of Harmony Hall, employed in Mustique, are charged with making a false instrument, to wit, a certificate of a COVID-19 vaccination in the name of Gabriel T. Hutchins, with the intention that Hutchins should use it to induce Gail-Ann Pierre, employed at Mustique, to

accept as genuine, and by reason of so accepting it, to do some act or not to do some act to her own or any other person prejudice, contrary to section 242, Chapter 171, revised edition of the laws of St. Vincent and the Grenadines 2009.

The offence was reportedly committed between January 1 and July 10, 2021 at Stubbs.

The men pleaded not guilty when they appeared before Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne at the Serious Offences Court on

Jeffton Lewis

Gabriel Hutchins

Wednesday, and the matter was adjourned. They were represented by attorney Grant Connell. The men are out on station bail.

V Relief group reaches home stretch

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2021. 5.

Diaspora

Relief volunteers celebrating a successful completion of a first phase in the relief drive to aid SVG.

supplies will be shipped soon.

In addition, the relief coordinator said 29 power-washers, 28 hoses, 325 cots, 23 wheelchairs, nine wet vacuum machines, nebulizers, and other medical supplies for each clinic in St. Vincent and the Grenadines — courtesy the Red Cross USA and the United Parcel Services (UPS) — were shipped during Phase One. UPS air-lifted these supplies, Arthur said.

She said donations, including monetary, were received from hospitals, faith-based organizations, small businesses, community leaders, block associations, schools and other individuals.

Phase Two Verna Arthur, the chairperson of the Brooklyn-based SVG Relief USA, Inc. Story and photos by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net US CORRESPONDENT VERNA ARTHUR, the chairperson of the Brooklyn-based SVG Relief USA, Inc., the main relief organization in New Yok that coordinates relief for volcano-ravaged St. Vincent and the Grenadines, says the group has reached the “home stretch” of Phase One with the relief drive.

“It was remarkably successful,” Arthur told THE VINCENTIAN on Sunday, stating that the Friends of Crown Heights Educational Center, which was the hub of relief efforts in Brooklyn, is “back to a state of equilibrium.

“Thanks to Vaughan Toney (the president and chief executive officer) for providing the space, and has indicated it is available whenever needed,” she said.

Arthur disclosed that the “remarkable success” of Phase One resulted initially in the dispatch of nine commercial bins with Personal Protection Equipment (PPEs) to address the COVID-19 pandemic in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

“This was our first donation prior to the effusive eruption of the La Soufriere Volcano,” she said.

As Phase Two progressed, Arthur said four 40-ft containers — with a variety of items, including nonperishable food, personal hygiene kits, medication, infant supplies, female sanitary products, water, cots, clothing, wheelchairs and buckets — were also shipped home.

She said another container of

Arthur said Phase Two was recently kicked off with a fact-finding mission to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The two persons charged with the responsibility to carry out such mission are public relations officer Atiba Williams and member Garnes Byron.

“The purpose of this mission is to assess the situation following the volcanic eruptions,” added Arthur, disclosing that the team is currently conducting meetings and interviews, and is visiting and assisting in the hard-hit areas.

Additionally, she said the team is compiling a “needs-list” from participating organizations.

“Our organization is the trusted messenger in New York for SVG relief efforts, and we are happy to have established a continued relationship with NEMO (the local National Emergency Management Organization), as well as forging new relationships with SVG Red Cross Association, Lions South, Rotary South and the Salvation Army,” Arthur said.

“The decision to expand our reach and partner with these organizations was an excellent one,” she added. “By doing so, we continue to help NEMO tackle areas other than the shelters and alleviate any extra burden due to limited staff.

“It is heartwarming to receive reports from the organizations (Red Cross, Lions, Rotary and the Salvation) expressing how pleased they are to receive items, and of such quantity,” Arthur continued. “These organizations are doing herculean work, while sacrificing their personal lives and families, to ensure that our brothers and sisters are receiving the

much-needed assistance during these challenging times.”

She expressed “tremendous thanks” to volunteers, elected officials, hospitals, faith-based organizations, small businesses, non-profit

organizations, community leaders, block associations, schools and other individuals, “who have participated/contributed in one way or the other to ensure that Phase One of our relief drive come to fruition.”

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6. FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN

Views The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Managing Editor: Desiree Richards Editor: Cyprian Neehall Telephone: 784-456-1123 Fax: 784-451-2129 Website: www.thevincentian.com Email: vinpub@thevincentian.com Mailing Address: The Vincentian Publishing Co. Ltd., P.O. Box 592, Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Editorial

Right to protest “IF WE ALLOW TOO MANY restrictions on the fundamental right to protest, we silence the voices of many in our society, particularly those who may have limited other means for making their views known.” Canada – Charter on the Right to Gather and Protest.

This is a truism to which, we assume, all political parties here subscribe.

Neither the New Democratic Party, during its 1984 — 2001 administration, or the Unity Labour Party during its administration 2001 — present, sought to introduce legislation that would infringe on this right.

They might, according to whom you speak, use other means to ‘beat back’ protests, like the current use of the Police against a protest mounted here recently.

Whatever the measure(s) used to quell protest, citizens of this country have the right to gather and to protest… a right enshrined both in the principles of democracy and furthered in our country’s constitution.

That said, it is worth noting that in essence, protests are aimed at causing disruption, annoyance and inconvenience; but it is this very cacophony that calls attention to troubling issues in society.

In fact, many of the rights and freedoms we enjoy today and take for granted are the result of actions taken that must have caused major disruption to life’s normal routine.

So, rather than trying to put a spin on the reasons for the people’s protests, we should welcome them, and see them as essential, informed political debate and dissension.

Protests play an essential role in giving voice to people and their issues, and holding institutions — like parliament and government, even the judiciary — to account for their actions.

Any democratic society, ours not excluded, ought to welcome

debate and robust disagreement on key issues — issues that affect the national good, the institutions of state and the rights of the citizenry. And that said democratic society must accept protest as a big part of this process.

So, regardless of whether protests are loud and disruptive, they are crucial to our wellbeing and to protecting the freedom that our society provides.

Yes, we have the right to vote every five years, to make a decision about our future in a few minutes in a polling booth.

Protests go further: they provide the opportunity to express our views and concerns in the interim between elections.

That is why, no police force, not the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, should be encouraged, should feel it has the right to see a protestor, loud and peaceful, throw him to the ground, hurt him, then arrest him, all in the name of preventing what that police officer perceived to be a potential act of violence Let’s us agree that a nonviolent protest is moral and ethical. It is so because force is not used. In its non-violent nature, it is a powerful tool; it puts authority on the spot for it will more than likely not know how to respond without resorting to some draconian action that hurts the general public.

And by its very nature, a peaceful but loud protest will generate public awareness of a serious problem, issue that requires an honest and fair solution.

So while there might be a variety of goals for a protest, among a single more telling one, is that it will influence public reaction and opinion; it will highlight an issue and share information about a perceived injustice; prod public policy in a particular direction and is an opportunity to connect with others who share the same passion about an issue.

And lest we forget, the overarching purpose of protests is to demand change. Nuff said.

Who to blame? Jerry Mole still at it. pariah government, which declared Small a political opponent who was to be shut out of all government jobs, including those Editor’s Note: We will continue to reprint which were created at Carnival time, an some of Dr. Kenneth John’s earlier THIS outcast in his own country.

WEEK Columns, until such time as a Small sought comfort in opposition suitable replacement columnist is leader Arnhim Eustace, and they became identified.) close friends at the time that Small fatally collapsed from a heart attack, many IN HIS PUBLICATION ‘Ruler in believed owing to political pressure.

Hairouna’, the author, George Thomas, Funeral was arranged according to sought to warn us of the way our politics S.D.A. rites, replete with a list of speakers was headed with the emergence of the that did not include the Prime Minister, smart-men politician fast-talker, who could who attended the services to the muffled make rings around the heads of his adoring expressions of the N.D.P. fans who knew of followers and in particular his religion as the sour relations between both men. being used for political purposes.

In the order of the service when Arnhim Jerry Mole could sway the masses with Eustace rose to pay tribute, he was his glib talk and at funerals in particular, interrupted by the intervention of a church he could produce a flood of tears on cue, elder, who explained that his position was even if he happened not to know the dead! being taken by the Prime Minister, who The modern Jerry Mole can be quite had been requested to do a tribute by a sophisticated, “learned,” even brilliant family member of the deceased. especially in his use of the English Members of the N.D.P. had difficulty in language, but the message remains the hiding their utter disgust in witnessing same, guileful and tailored mainly to the their own hero, Arnhim Eustace, bested at aggrandisement of Papa and his chosen the funeral ceremony of a trusted friend family. and supporter, in favour of Ralph, who had To go back directly to eulogize and their up to the time, regarded Saluche as an arch role in funeral services, specifically within enemy. the Anglican community of which I am a In their eyes, they saw willful political member, it was the controversial Dean interference in a private (non-state) Ulric Smith, who wished to excoriate them funeral, that was facilitated by the officials from Anglican worship on the ground that of the S.D.A., and they allowed their they tended to be one-sided to downright tempers to flare within limits, out of dishonest, and generally hypocritical. deference to the institution of the church I recall that I was once prevented from where it took place. giving a eulogy to a Mr. Graham, a So what happened at Georgetown, patriarch of the Lowmans-Greiggs Saturday 19th July, 2014, (E.G. Lynch’s community, whose children returned from funeral service) was a scenario waiting to the Virgin Islands for the occasion, and happen. In fact, the ‘Saluche’ incident had were solely disappointed. Leopold Friday been a warning, a dress rehearsal of what had been the young priest in charge, but took place at Lynch’s funeral, after an had obviously followed the prohibition interval in which politics increasingly order of Dean Ulric Smith. encroached on the sacred domain of the Then at Stubbs Anglican, took place the church, with no one daring to address the funeral of Hubert Daisley Jr., the father of issue of the rather rude, if subtle, the well-known Lennie Daisley, who was incursion. slated to present the eulogy into which was In fact, what took place at Georgetown poured much research. Dean Ulric Smith was the start of the playing out of forces again firmly put his foot down, and Lennie deeply rooted and long in the making. The was forced to steal some graveside basic fact was that the Prime Minister was opportunity in which to air his grievances unable, even with the protection of the and publicly mention what a stalwart church, to command a hearing in the member of the educational fraternity and capital of his constituency of North Central the Stubbs community in general, his Windward! deceased father had become.

There is much confusion over matters of As politics progressively entered the detail, as to who ultimately is to blame for funeral business, there was one the fracas. One thing is certain, there are circumstance which issued its own silent many truths competing for precedence, and warning: that of comedian Lucian Small in many interpretations pushed by the spin early 2007. doctors that one can dredge the real truth With his ribald political jokes, Small had from the quagmire, especially so early after offended a politically over-sensitive U.L.P. the event.

(First published in THE VINCENTIAN OF Friday 31st July, 2014,)

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2021. 7.

Letters

Remembering Dr. Kenneth John THERE is an African Proverb that says: “When an old man dies, a library burns to the ground.”

This could not be better demonstrated than in the passing of Dr. Kenneth John. He has left an outstanding legacy and we are fortunate to have his writings remain with us.

Much will be said about Kenneth’s scholarly and political pursuits. Much will be said about what he wrote in his weekly columns.

Whether you agreed or disagreed with Kenneth there was always something that evoked a spirited discussion. Sometimes with shock, horror and dismay. Never a dull moment. He put it all out there.

Baldwin and I have been fortunate to have known Kenneth for many years. It was a pleasure to collaborate with him and publish his “Flambeau” articles in three publications: “Search for Identity: Essays on St. Vincent & the Grenadines” edited by: Baldwin King, Kenneth John & Cheryl L. A. King (2006); “Quest for Caribbean Unity : Beyond Colonialism” edited by: Kenneth John, Baldwin King & Cheryl L. A. King (2006); “Home Sweet Home : Musings on Hairoun” edited by: Kenneth John, Baldwin King & Cheryl L. A. King (2007).

We will miss the loving, caring Kenneth who on our arrival in St. Vincent would ask: “You ate any mangoes yet ? Wait...” He would go to his refrigerator and give us whatever mangoes were there. And this extended to many others with whatever happened to be in season.

He loved to share not only in these terms but also in terms of thoughts and ideas.

Rest in peace, dear Kenneth, and may light perpetual shine upon you.

Our condolences to his family.

He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered.

Thanks, Kenneth.

Cheryl Phills King & Baldwin King

Wheel and come again!

THERE WERE two days of protest in Kingstown last week. A protestor made me to understand that he and “the hundreds” (his words) of others had come out on the streets to highlight that law and order and “the rule of law” had diminished in our country and the way things were going, this country would become totally lawless if something was not done.

When I asked what was that something that needed to be done, his quick response was that we had to get rid of “Gonsalves and his band of merry men”. It was difficult to engage him in further conversation since we were speaking in the middle of the loud protest and he seemed anxious to get back to the heart of the protest.

What I would have wanted to tell him and all the other protestors is that if they thought Gonsalves was going to give into a bunch of protestors, they had better wheel and come again.

Gonsalves is no

We will rise again WE WILL RISE again from the ashes and the challenges that faced us as a nation.

We have been dealing and living with Covid-19 since last year. I do believe this pandemic would be with us for some time.

Already it has caused economic, social and psychological problems. The adjustment will take some time, but it is a necessary one.

The loss of income has been a major challenge for some. This is made all the more burdensome when, as we can safely say, we have experienced and continue to experience a downturn in the economy.

While we are still trying to deal with and survive the effects of Covid19, up comes Madame La Soufriere.

When it rains it certainly pours.

The entire country experienced some impact of the eruption. Even those in the safe zones had to deal with the ashes. Those who had to leave their homes now face the reality of having nowhere to live since they lost their houses and properties. The farmers had to battle and are still doing so with surviving amidst the loss of their crops and animals.

Even though many would have benefited from relief aid, including foodstuff, and the income support to the farmers and persons from the Red Zone by the authorities, many affected persons still have a struggle on their

hands to survive.

Much appreciation must be given to the many organizations and individuals both home and abroad who gave and continue to give assistance. Indeed, these kind gestures would soften the effects of the loss and help in returning life to normalcy.

Amidst all of that Hurricane ELSA came and brought with it destructions in some areas. Some persons have lost their properties and contents and some have suffered loss on a lesser scale.

Be that as it may, I am confident that we will rise again amidst the challenges.

Rising from the ashes, the pandemic and the disaster will require resilience, a faith in God and determination to make it. Yes, we may be struggling and are down but we will rise again, for no situation is permanent. Once as a people we put God first and work as a united force, we will raise again.

This is not a time for division, hatred and backbiting. Instead, we must make it a time of working together with love and appreciation for each other. Yes, we have to face the challenges but we will rise again.

Long live SVG and May God bless our nation.

Kennard King

Mitchell. Gonsalves will use every legitimate mechanism of the state to remain in government to which he will remind you he was duly elected, barring this thing about majority vote.

Yes, you might want to say that this is a similar situation to in 1998-2000, but it is not so… it is different. This protest is up in arms against a well-oiled Unity Labour Party (ULP) and a wily Prime Minister who has shown on numerous occasions that he can outfox the New Democratic Party.

The Road Block Revolution led by the ULP was against an NDP that was at its

weakest since it had gained power in 1984.

Even Mitchell, I am certain, would admit to that. If it was not so, why did he rush into holding talks with Gonsalves and agreeing to hold elections before the five-year term was over?

One thing that is different this time is the behaviour of the police.

Gonsalves thinks he is in a position of strength which has nothing to do with the majority he has in parliament. Rather, his position of strength comes from knowing how weak his opponents are.

They will never frighten him into resigning before his term is over. And

furthermore, he needs some time in Parliament, which can act as a deflection, to attend to things in his party especially as it relates to who is going to succeed him.

Come again protestors, no amount of noise on the road is going to unseat Gonsalves.

Wheel and come again!

Past Student, SMSS

How to eat a Food THE UTENSILS in which our food is prepared and from which it is eaten may have an effect on our health.

Consequently, we need to choose with care our pots, plates, bowls, cups, glasses, knives, forks and spoons.

Aluminum, copper, iron, lead, stainless steel, Teflon, earthenware, plastics, and glass may be used to make these implements.

Aluminum in the diet is associated with impaired visual motor coordination and Alzheimer’s disease. Excess copper in food can be toxic. Excess iron in the diet can cause tiredness, weakness, weight loss, abdominal pain, high blood sugar levels, hyperpigmentation, a loss of sex drive, and a reduction of the size of the testicles in males. Lead can harm production of blood cells and the absorption of calcium needed for strong bones and teeth, muscle movements, and the work of nerves and blood vessels.

High lead levels can cause brain and kidney damage. Stainless steel contains

nickel and chromium. Increased doses of metals such as nickel and chromium can cause adverse reaction such as dermatitis. Teflon vaporizes at high temperatures and inhaling these fumes may lead to polymer fume fever, also known as the Teflon flu. Microplastics taken into the human body can cause inflammation, genotoxicity, oxidative stress, apoptosis, necrosis, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. Glass is largely inert and does not react chemically with most substances. Broken glass can be a physical hazard. Earthenware is generally safe.

My choice of dish for holding my food is the calabash. It is an environmentally friendly dish. It is said that the taste of the food is influenced by the container in which it is served since some substance in the container itself may leak out into it. It is cost effective and I hope to eat a food from it for many years.

Anthony Stewart, PhD

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8. FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN

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The ULP would not be distracted from doing The right plan for Private Sector Development the people’s work Introduction THE TASK of governing a Small Island Developing State, with an open economy demands high levels of focus, innovation, efficiency and overall leadership. The many challenges facing states like Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on a daily basis require the strength of leadership that many large countries wish they possess.

Over the last 15 months, this country has seen one example after another, of just how critical it is to elect the right people to lead, especially when the going gets tough.

It is no exaggeration to proclaim that SVG is lucky to have the ULP in government, with Comrade Ralph as Prime Minister at this time. The calmness and focus with which this government has carried out its work, managing dengue, the Covid-19 pandemic, the explosive eruption of La Soufriere and the flooding that have occurred since the start of the rainy season, makes governance look easy.

While leaders of countries in this region have long been warning of their government’s inability to pay wages and service debts, suggesting that it may be one or the other, this country has never defaulted on a debt payment nor missed a single payment of wages to public sector workers. Instead, the government has, along with meeting its financial obligations to state sector workers, also provided income support to various categories of workers impacted by job loss during the pandemic. Thousands of employees in the tourism, agriculture, fisheries, pre-school (early childhood), and other sectors have received and some continue to receive regular payments from the government as income support during these very difficult times. The focus of the government to deal with these challenges, managing this country and dealing with the business of the people has been laser-like, with regular meetings of the Cabinet and the Parliament to ensure that measures are implemented in accordance with the laws of our country, and in line with good-governance practices.

Seeing beyond the distractions While the ULP administration remains focused on doing the work it was elected by the citizens of this country to do, the parliamentary opposition continues with the politics of distraction that has so far failed to offer any positive results to its agenda. The clear and obvious difference can be seen in the approach as the government is focused on addressing the issues affecting SVG, while the opposition is desperate to gain power at all cost. The legislative agenda of the government at the Sittings of the House of July 5, 2021 and 7, 2021 included the reading of very important bills that touch at the heart of poverty reduction and the improvement of the lives of Vincentians.

On the Order Paper of that meeting were among other things two Bills, one dealing with amendments to the Zero Hunger Trust Fund Act and the other dealing with amendments to the Stamp Duty Act. These two very important pieces of legislation touch the lives of ordinary poor and working-class families, with the former providing meals and much needed support to hundreds of students in primary schools across the country as well as support for

some elderly individuals and the latter, addressing the transfer of land between family members. There are countries where the legislature has reduced significantly its work because of the pandemic, but in SVG, the Parliament meets just as regularly as before the pandemic, and the cabinet continues to meet with the same regularity with additional meetings as needs be to address the pressing and ever changing needs of a country that has been rocked by one disaster after another. Our government understands that the effective management of this country requires of our elected leaders, the ability to handle multiple tasks with a high degree of efficiency, always putting the needs of the country first. By contrast, the parliamentary opposition, like a petulant child, still dissatisfied with its electoral defeat in November 2020, continues to agitate through various methods of lies, misinformation and attempted disruptions of the people’s business in the House of Assembly to thwart the will of the people as expressed in those General Elections. The unruly and disrespectful behaviour during the meeting of Parliament in May, was nothing more than an attempt to cause chaos and obstruct the proceedings of the House and the legislative agenda. The continued appeal to their base to rise up and fight against some imaginary ills, conjured up in the minds of desperate party leaders seem not to be gaining momentum, hence disruptions to proceedings of the House of Assembly have become the activity used around which the respondents to their call must rally. It was no wonder, that during the sitting of Parliament on July 7, 2021, Vice President of the opposition and MP for Central Kingstown, found it fitting to disrupt the proceedings because of an unsubstantiated claim by some individual. The idea was clearly to cause public fear and alarm in an effort to stir up emotions among the few individuals they had managed to convince to leave their daily routine and gather outside the parliament, but even that attempt failed and the MP was left visibly embarrassed. Yet another failed attempt to distract the focused ULP government from its progressive legislative agenda that continues to deliver benefits to the people of this country.

Conclusion This country continues to deal effectively with the impacts of a number of challenges that have affected us over the last 15 months, primarily because the ULP government that was re-elected for a fifth consecutive 5-year term, has made governance look easy. In the face of political side-shows including attempts at public disruptions by a desperate opposition, the government remains focused on doing the business of the people. This ULP government will continue to provide income support to affected workers including farmers and fisher folk, address the macro-economic issues, address regional and international issues through its progressive foreign policy and maintain a transparent legislative agenda. The ULP like the prophet Nehemiah will remain on course and not be distracted by the anti-progressive forces.

THE FAILURE of the Unity Labour Party (ULP) government has prevented the economy of St. Vincent and the Grenadines from growing and creating jobs. For twenty years, they have mismanaged the country’s economy, created severe hardship and poverty for most Vincentians. Only with a healthier private sector, can we reduce the unemployment rate, improve living standards and sustainably develop our country.

The ULP government appears not to understand this basic fact. The evidence of this is seen through government’s illadvised policies. For too long our businesses have been constrained by the political patronage of the ULP who only support their friends, while ordinary Vincentians lose out. Further, according to the World Bank, it has become harder to do business in St. Vincent and the Grenadines under the ULP government.

Our ranking has fallen from 103 in 2015 to 130 in 2020. The report reveals that we are one of the hardest places in the world for businesses to find credit and register property.

The ULP promised to reduce that standard rate of corporate tax to at least 27 percent; they did not keep that promise and taxes are still at 30 percent. Our external trade has deteriorated under the ULP, meaning we are importing increasingly more goods and services than we are exporting. The ULP also promised to deliver an office of private sector development to help businesses. They have failed to deliver this. The ULP’s complacency means Vincy businesses have not been given enough support to develop real opportunities for new jobs.

Vincy businesses are the backbone of our nation and supporting them to expand and employ local people is one of the New Democratic Party’s cornerstones of our plan for jobs and growth.

The New Democratic Party (NDP) has recognized the importance of private sector development. Tremendous benefits can be derived from private sector development. These include: increased national income, sustainable employment, stable economic growth, competitive markets, higher standard of living, infrastructural development, consumer cost savings and wealth creation and distribution.

The NDP recognizes that improving government policies and behaviour will not only shape the investment climate and drive private sector development, it will also drive overall economic growth and improve opportunities for everyone.

We, therefore, will provide a range of incentives and support to encourage private sector development, and above all, create the stable and predictable macro-economic and social environment that will encourage investment.

In our manifesto for the 2020 general elections, we outlined an impressive programme for private sector development. The following is part of our plan for private sector development.

“In order to foster private sector development, the NDP seeks to focus on creating an attractive investment climate. Therefore, the NDP will establish a Ministry of the Private Sector to facilitate the development and expansion of private industry in general.

The role of the Ministry of the Private Sector will identify and seek to develop or expand a range of direct and indirect support services for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs),

including: business pre-start, start-up and development assistance; business plan development and follow-up; business incubators; legal, accounting and financial services; information services including advice on government policies; advice on the effective application of information, provide communication and business technologies to the business process; offer consultancy and research services; managerial and vocational skills enhancement; promotion and development of enterprise based training. The Ministry will also work in close collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and our overseas Missions, CARICOM and the Vincentian Diaspora to identify trade and export opportunities for SMEs. Moreover, we consider SMEs a critical factor in economic growth, and we will create the conditions that will enable SMEs to play a major role in entrepreneurship, innovation and job creation. In order to create the environment in which SMEs will thrive, the NDP will end the competition between government enterprises and SMEs; adopt and pursue appropriate fiscal and employment policies to promote an optimal economic environment; improve the attractiveness of entrepreneurship and remove the constraints to the development and growth of SMEs through, the establishment of a Development Bank, to provide funding and financial support for SMEs. The Development Bank is essential to drive growth and jobs in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Capitalized with funds from the Citizenship by Investment program and other sources of development finance, the development bank will be a true partner in local ventures. It will provide mentorship and technical support to help businesses succeed. This will put tens of millions of dollars into local businesses each year, not just a few million dollars in grants.

We will ensure that this finance is available at the cheapest rate, as the goal of the bank will be to help to develop our country.

We will also reduce costly delays at companies registry and High Court.

Many tasks related to setting up businesses are unnecessarily complex.

Simple things such as setting up a company should not take weeks but days. The Companies Registry (CIPO) will be made more efficient and business friendly. And, also help local businesses to compete for government contracts and tenders, local businesses should have the best chance to put together a bid or submit a tender for work. That is why we will break up contracts where feasible so that Vincentians businesses can have the chance to compete for the work.

The NDP will welcome Vincentians investors who are based overseas to create opportunities for locals. As a small nation, our people are our most important asset. Our diaspora communities are an important source of investment, who are committed to our future and creating opportunities for locals. We need to welcome Vincentian businessmen and women to St. Vincent and the Grenadines when they attempt to invest in our country, and not treat them as second to foreign investors. At this time, when St. Vincent and the Grenadines is falling apart, the NDP is the viable alternative.”

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2021. 9.

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Pressure is a Privilege

(First published in the July 15, 2016 issue of THE VINCENTIAN newspaper.)

“PRESSURE IS OFTEN VIEWED as a negative force in our lives.

Understandably so. Undue pressure can be an enormous cause of stress and turmoil. But each challenge that comes along also presents important questions that test our character, our approach to leadership, and our approach to life.”

Douglas R. Conant - New York Times bestselling author and keynote speaker with over 40 years of leadership experience at world-class global companies. He is the former CEO and President of Campbell Soup Company.

Many lawn tennis fans were elated to discover that this year’s Wimbledon Finals for the Women’s Singles Championship may have seen a rematch between the Williams sisters, Venus and Serena. Both sisters had made it through to the finals in the 2009 women’s tennis championships.

But this was not to be in 2016. The 36year-old Venus was knocked out at the semi-finals stage by the 28-year-old Angelique Kerber. In the end, Venus commented that the better player won.

She was graceful in her defeat.

However, Venus’ younger sister, Serena, dismantled Kerber’s attacks when the two met in the finals. Serena now etches her place in the annals of lawn tennis history for having won her 22nd Singles Grand Slam.

The title for this week’s article was taken from one of Venus’ earlier television interviews. On that occasion, she was referring to the book by the same title that was authored by the famous tennis star, Billy Jean King.

Billy Jean knew what it was like to play and win under intense pressure.

She had won a total of 39 Grand Slam (Majors) titles. The Grand Slam consists of the Australian Open which is played in January, the French Open which occurs in May and June, Wimbledon in June and July, and the US Open which attracts the world’s best tennis players in August and September. Her 39 Majors titles included 12 singles, 16 women’s doubles, and 11 mixed doubles titles.

Sports Illustrated named her sportsman of the year in 1972. She shared that title with John Wooden that year. Three years later, in 1975, Time Magazine listed her as Person of the Year. The Sunday Times subsequently presented her with the Sportswoman of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award. With all of these accomplishments, it is therefore not surprising that she was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1987.

In her book, Billy Jean reminds readers that each of us has to deal with various types and intensities of pressure on a daily basis. Sometimes we can become so preoccupied with the devastating consequences of pressure that we neglect to appreciate the good that is often wrapped up in its packages. She notes that pressure, in whichever forms it appears, is a privilege because it means that there is something expected of you. It forces us to “rise to the occasion”. It demands that we meet the challenges whether those pressures emerge from clients, suppliers, employees, employers, family, spouse, friends, children, neighbours, teachers, coaches, mentors, or from anyone else. Regardless of the source of the pressure, we are

challenged to “perform” - to deliver an expected outcome.

Based on the foregoing, it is no wonder that Venus Williams would have used the content of Billy Jean’s book and her life experiences to propel her in her efforts to return to competitive tennis at the highest level.

Venus and her sister, Serena, commenced playing tennis at a relatively early age. She is a former world number one player who, despite her setbacks, remains in the top ten female players. She has won 22 Grand Slam titles. Venus is considered the twelfth on the all-time list having won 7 Grand Slam singles titles. She has also partnered with her younger sister, Serena, to win 13 women’s doubles.

The additional 2 Grand Slam victories have been in the mixed doubles category.

Venus Williams has secured four Olympic gold medals. She won the singles at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and three doubles at the Sydney, Beijing, and London Olympics in 2000, 2008, and 2012 respectively. Venus and Serena have won more gold medals at the Olympics than any other tennis player.

Venus, at the peak of her tennis career, was diagnosed with Sjögren’s syndrome in 2011. This placed her under tremendous pressure. She had to make some serious lifestyle changes.

She adopted a vegan diet (abstaining from the use of animal products) and reduced her intake of calories and sugars.

Sjögren’s syndrome is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease. It attacks the body’s white blood cells and destroys its moisture-producing glands such as those that produce saliva and tears. In addition to creating irritation and discomfort resulting from having a dry mouth and dry eyes, it can cause chronic pain, intense fatigue, and weakening of the cognitive capabilities.

Having to cope with such a debilitating disease magnifies her efforts at a comeback at the highest levels of world tennis. Her strong will power and determination to succeed inspire many to press on when life seems to have created obstacles to success. The “darkness” of her disease has magnified the “light” of her determination and character. Her life reflects the truth that pressure can be deemed a privilege.

We can learn some most valuable lessons from Venus’ life. We need to have a strong determination and engage in a most disciplined approach to life’s challenges if we seek to excel.

Victory is not for the faint hearted.

Victory will often require that we go beyond what we think possible to achieve the impossible. And when life’s challenges emerge and the setbacks appear to slow us in our tracks, we may be required to make detours, to accept some serious changes in our life and lifestyles - but it is often not beyond us to re-emerge as winners.

Life’ pressures can reveal the winner within and, in so doing, be considered a great privilege.

Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to julesferdinand@gmail.com

Socialist Cuba faces its gravest threat THE CUBAN REVOLUTION faces its gravest threat since Fidel Castro and his band of revolutionaries came to power in 1959.

The difficulties facing our revolutionary neighbour is compounded by the fact that the charismatic and legendary Fidel is dead. The steady hand of Raul, who retired last year, is no more. The socialist experiment in Cuba is now led by President Miguel Diaz-Chanel, who was born after the revolution’s triumph.

The most dangerous time for a revolutionary process is during a time of transition and change. The Castro generation is gone. The turn of the younger cadres has arrived. Will they be able to guide the revolutionary ship of state to a time when better international conditions permit it to grow, develop and make even more transformative strikes? We are about to see.

The demonstrations across Cuba may have shocked many observers. The protestors, mainly young people, vented their anger and demanded relief if not change. The COVID-19 pandemic compounded these difficulties. As the president of the socialist republic said, many persons who joined the demonstrations were revolutionaries, frustrated with the grinding economic challenges the country faces.

Like they did 30 years ago, when the Soviet Union collapsed, the rightwinged forces in the US government and around the world are in a celebratory mood. They sense another opportunity to deal a mortal blow at the Cuban revolution. In 1991, the George Bush administration set up a transition team licking their chops, anticipating a triumphant counter-revolutionary return to Havana. It did not happen then, and the world peoples, who have benefitted so much from Cuba’s internationalist solidarity, generosity, assistance and sacrifice, must not allow Mr Imperialism and his allies to succeed.

Caricom countries, the democratic and progressive leaders in Latin America, the African Union, China and other people of goodwill in Asia must come to Cuba’s assistance now more than ever before.

President Joe Biden lamented the tragic grip of the pandemic and the decades of economic suffering to which the Cuban people have been subjected.

Biden called on the Cuban leaders to hear their people and serve their needs.

How nauseating can a leader become? How immoral and unethical?

Biden is a career politician who spent his entire career planning and plotting the defeat of the Cuban Revolution.

Biden does not have the dignity or principle to remove the harsh, oppressive and suffocating policies of Donald Trump and replace them with a more civilised policy that he helped to initiate under the leadership of Barack Obama. How then could he speak of caring for the people of Cuba? The plain truth is that Biden and all previous presidents before him hate the Cuban revolutionaries because they broke the back of foreign, primarily American domination in Cuba and set the country on a progressive path to development.

The American government, since the 1960s, imposed an illegal embargo against Cuba. This blockage makes it all but impossible for the Cuban government to trade and buy products, including food and medicine, to satisfy the Cuban people’s needs.

On June 23, 2021, the vast majority of the world’s nations (184 to 2), called on the American government to end its unilateral and illegal blockade against Cuba. In clear violation of international law, the Biden administration voted against the resolution. This has been the reactionary pattern, i.e. to vote against the wishes of the world peoples for the last two decades.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez told the United Nations General Assembly that the Blockage was a ‘massive, flagrant and unacceptable violation of the human rights of the Cuban People.

He likened the embargo to ‘an economic war of extraterritorial scope that cost the country US$9.1 billion in 2020. Like the virus, the blockade asphyxiates and kills; it must stop.’ The pandemic exacerbated the economic crisis.

The criminal policy of economic strangulation is intended to weaken the resolve of the Cuban people. The terrorist oppression is designed to make them end their support for a leadership that has always looked out for them, and other less fortunate people in the world.

The American government is not interested in freedom and democracy.

Biden’s primary goal is to make the world safe for the exploitation of resources by a wealthy and powerful elite at the expense of the broad majority. He does not care if the majority of Cubans live or die.

The rhetoric of American leaders should fool no one. Over the last 70 years, the American and British governments planned, financed and executed the overthrow of popular and democratically elected governments worldwide. Guyana and Iran in 1953, Guatemala in 1954, Indonesia and Dominican Republic in 1965, Chile in 1973, Financed the murder and destabilisation of Manley’s Jamaica 1972 to 1980, Maurice Bishop’s Grenada 1979 to 1983, Sandanistas in Nicaragua between 1980 to 1990, the legal coup de tat against Lula Da Silva and Dilma in Brazil, Kirchner in Argentina, Hamas in Palestine, the failed coup against President Chavez in 2002, Honduras in 2009 and the continued destabilisation of Venezuela.

Revolutionary Cuba is the most generous nation on planet earth. Its accomplishment in sports, medicine and education are beyond question. In responses to tragedy and disaster, Cuban leaders have ensured that the less fortunate are accorded assistance, benefit and solace. They offer not because they have in abundance but because they are truly their brothers’ keepers.

It is a tribute to the revolutionary foresight and determination of the Cuban leaders that the country is now a medical power capable of exporting thousands of doctors to lend assistance around the globe. It stands proud and tall as a capable bio-medical leader with the approval of two vaccines to combat the coronavirus.

Cuba’s difficulties and problems must be understood in the context of the pressures and deprivation it has had to endure. Any superficial appreciation may lead some to cheer on the imperialist as they press for change in the Cuban system of government. Any such reversal will return Cuba to the neo-colonial vassal state.

No one interested in freedom and development, independence and sovereignty would willingly join a call for such a backward step. The urgent call now must be for renewed solidarity with revolutionary Cuba. The primary difficulties faced by the country are caused by external pressure and sabotage emanating from the USA. Cuba must be allowed to work through and settle its internal problems. No foreign intervention must be tolerated.

The demand to end the Blockage must be intensified. Cuba’s sovereignty and independence must be respected.

Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to jomosanga@gmail.com

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10. FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN

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Teacher cries, “Help! Help!

Our children can’t read!”

In a letter in THE VINCENTIAN newspaper of 9th July 2021, a patriotic SVG teacher highlighted serious concerns about the education system in our country. It is very disturbing and alarming to hear that so many of our children have been failed by the ULP regime’s so called ‘education revolution’.

The teacher says, ‘I wish to bring national attention and outcry to the serious plight of illiteracy in our schools. During this week of National Diagnostic Reading Assessment, it has become glaringly clear that students are struggling to read, and in many cases just cannot read.’

This is a truly sad situation and will seriously affect the life opportunities of the children who have been failed.

People who cannot read, or can barely read, are less likely to pass exams and so, less likely to get a university education and a highly-paid job.

When the ULP regime came to power there was a focus on prison and not enough focus on education.

We saw the Belle Isle prison being built. There is too much focus on locking up our people, rather than educating them.

Since its inception, SVG Green Party has said that SVG needs to

a university education.

The quality of lifestyle we want for our children in SVG will depend on the quality of education they get. There create a world-class education system percentage of millionaire households can be no doubt that under the ULP for our children, and provide free as a share of a country’s total regime our country is in shambles, education for all from preschool to our households at 15.5%; Singapore is thus it is not surprising a teacher own university. The ULP regime has ranked as the most attractive country points out the alarming fact that many failed to do so and the fallout from this for foreign investors in the Asia-Pacific school children just cannot read! we see all around us. Many of our region and attracts 52% of foreign According to The Leader of SVG children cannot read, many do not investment in its region; Singapore Green Party, Warrant Officer Ivan finish school and get decent topped the charts for highest GDP per Bertie O’Neal BSc (Hons), MSc, MBA, qualifications, and many end up in capita in 2010 at close to EC$152,636 the ULP regime is hopeless at prison. and is expected to continue to be the governing SVG and could never give We have had a generation of failure global leader until 2050; Singapore has our children the world-class education in education provision by the ULP a GDP of EC$810 billion; Singapore system they deserve and need. regime and that has led to more young has a very low unemployment rate of The teacher is right: ‘How could we people going to jail, high 1.9%; more than 70% of Singapore think that this is acceptable?’ unemployment and a high level of resident non-students aged 25-34 have crime.

As the teacher indicated, illiteracy is killing our nation and it consigns illiterate people to a lifetime of poverty. Widespread illiteracy has been created by ULP regime’s failure and poor governance.

The ULP regime’s poor quality education system has moved SVG from often say to myself, “I stealing several guns and paradise to slum, whereas Singapore’s AMIDST what has become a politically a quantity of hope everything is high-quality education system has ammunition. At the most alright.” Then moved Singapore from slum to a World charged atmosphere, many Vincentians are recent public protests for automatically revert to Bank success story. calling for justice for Mr. my old role as a City justice in Kingstown, Using education as the foundation Cornelius John. The some public members Manager and begin to of the SVG economy and following issue, in my opinion, is accused the Police of wonder, what kind of call Singapore’s example is the best way the Commissioner of physically assaulting was that? Was it the forward. Singapore has the highest Police, yes the other Mr. Police or the ambulance? them. Why? How did we John, and the Police get to this point?

Was there another Department.

Every year, we seem killing? I hope the Police Often we get to add more Police didn’t shoot someone? distracted by the big Officers to the budget, And, after all, this is shiny object or the one no longer unthinkable in but if you ask most that seems to be the people if they feel safe in SVG. The aggressive juiciest. In this case, it is behaviour of the Police their neighborhood or a painful reality for Mr. these days does not leave homes, the answer is yes.

John. And the opposition much doubt that this is The crime always seems party appears to be to be happening possible. jumping on this to carry somewhere else, and A review of a few them to who knows most people will advise, incidents over the last where.

“As long as you stay year will show a severe A deeper look at this void in the leadership of away from here or there, you’ll be ok.” So why, if case and how the Police the Police Force: the our population is not handled the issue would increased number of growing exponentially, quickly reveal that the unsolved crimes; the do we need to continue to problem lies squarely increased reports of grow our Police Force? with our Police Force … police abuse by people I feel we need a an institution that seems taken into custody; the complete overhaul of the not to have any slow response to Mr. independence. Now, this John’s shooting incident, police department from the top down. is not as surprising as it and the Force’s silence is disappointing; for all on the video circulating Horatio my life, the history of on social media of an policing shows that a officer discharging his Police Force is an weapon during extension of the the arrest of establishment. I live in someone in the hope that one day we Layou. will see a professional (Throughout my Police Force headed by a professional Commissioner worthy of career, I have the title; a leader that never known a would be strong enough police service to exercise his/her revolver to be a independent judgment. I crowd control want a Commissioner of tool.)

Police who will do what’s Before that, a right and just, not what former police the political leaders want officer was them to do. charged with Today, when I sit at breaking into the home and hear the police station in sounds of a police siren I Georgetown and

Where lies the police force?

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2021. 11.

News

Venezuela marks 210th Independence anniversary

Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister SVG, reiterated his government’s unyielding defense of Venezuela’s independence and their sovereignty.

by GLORIAH THE EMBASSY of Bolivarian Republic of

Venezuela to St. Vincent and the Grenadines held an activity to commemorate the 210th Anniversary of Venezuela’s Independence, Friday 9th July, at the Embassy in Ratho Mill.

Head of the Venezuelan Diplomatic Mission, Mr. Francisco Perez Santana, in his opening remarks registered his country’s condemnation of the assassination of Haiti’s President, Jovenel Moïse, calling that country’s history, “one of the transcendental and important reference points for the revolution that existed in our Americas.”

He went on to take those present down his country’s path of freedom from Spain. His discourse unveiled the

fact that on 5th July, 1811, Venezuela became the first nation to gain independence from Spain, after the Battle of Carabobo led by Venezuelan General Simon Bolivar.

This resulted in the signing of the Act of the Declaration of Independence of Venezuela which liberated Venezuelans to establish principles of equality, abolish censorship and create freedom of expression, Perez Santana said.

He then acknowledged the 210th anniversary with the affirmation that, “Today, thanks to a people that woke up, thanks to an armed force that woke up and here we are: united people and armed force. We have recovered national

independence and, we will never lose that independence again… ” In his feature address which centred around, ‘Independence is not the end; it is the beginning’, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines — Dr. Ralph Gonsalves congratulated Venezuela on reaching the milestone.

In declaring that the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines is unyielding in its defense of the independence and sovereignty of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Prime Minister Gonsalves said: “It is well established by now that the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, which I have the honour to lead, is an

uncompromising defendant of the independence and the sovereignty of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela as we are Cuba, Nicaragua, Bolivia, and for every country in our Americas and elsewhere.”

He explained his singling out Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua and Bolivia, saying that in recent years the four countries have been subjected to immense challenges to their sovereignty and independence, and their right to pursue their own path.

Also making brief remarks was Mr. Renwick Rose, President of the Vincentian-Cuban Friendship Association.

The activity featured a display of work by

Mr. Francisco Perez Santana, Head of the Venezuelan Diplomatic Mission to SVG, reinforced his country’s preparedness to never lose its independence. photographer and graphic designer under the theme, ‘Caribbean, Independence and Emancipation’. (See accompanying article.)

La Gracia Dancers and saxophonist Oswald Williams provided entertainment following which Dr. Gonsalves laid a wreath in honour of Liberator Simon Bolivar.

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12. FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN

People

Nadia Huggins Photography featured Young boys playing football on the beach from the ‘Black and Blue’ series.

people’s way of expressing themselves, creating a livelihood and being the controllers of their future.”

This work fell intimately into what was being celebrated: the connection between a history and the present.

The other series ‘Black and Blue’ also featured a beach scene.

“As islands we have a very close relationship with the ocean. These particular images documents young boys playing football on the beach.”

The images, all shot out of focus, represented a familiar activity shown in a different and unfamiliar perspective that focuses on the essence of the human body, and the way of expressing itself in a space like that.

“The people are quite ambiguous, they could be anyone being seen in that sort of environment…, but then again how different the body language is now compared to our past, of enslaved people for example,” the artist explained.

Nadia Huggins – photographer, graphic designer with an unusual sense of connection to people, places and issues.

connections with herself and things she grew up with, and

by GLORIAH… with other people.

“I’m trying to find ways to THE ACTIVITY TO represent that in a universal COMMEMORATE THE 210th way, connecting with people Anniversary of Venezuela’s on a global scale,” she said.

Independence, held at the Who is Nadia Huggins She claimed an emotional Venezuelan Embassy at Ratho connection to, “The piece with Mill on 5th July, was a fitting Nadia is a self-taught the man’s hand and his shorts occasion to display the work of photographer whose parents with the sea in the Vincentian - Trinidadian Nadia fostered her creativity. She background.. .”

Huggins – a photographer and calls herself “a human being Believing that her eye was graphic designer. who wants to see other human trained to perceive the world As part of the beings and represent them in a particular way; persons, commemorative activity, her with dignity and integrity in a issues and themes attract her. work was featured in an way that is formal and exhibition themed, ‘Caribbean, imaginative; that really makes Therefore, although very Independence and them feel a sense of belonging abstract, she saw the person in the image as referenced as Emancipation’, in keeping to the Caribbean.” with the aim to showcase the She recalled at seven years “a force, determined, confident, and able to express identity of the Caribbean old painting her first The ‘Force of the Fist’ to which the artist has an ‘emotional that through their own body people through their struggles connection’. landscape at the Venezuelan and expressions.

Embassy. She had now come language.”

Nadia’s photography has It paid tribute “to the Afro- stages of her career, were full circle with the exhibition. much focuses on identity and been exhibited in group shows descendant peoples who have Conscious of the dynamic displayed. belonging and a sense of place, in Canada, the USA, Trinidad participated in the struggles of nature of life, Nadia believes Nadia told THE but it’s also about the land and Tobago, Barbados, independence.” that her photography has VINCENTIAN that they were and the sea and human Exhibited work changed where, driven by the Ethiopia, Guadeloupe, France together, a response to the relationships with those Two series of images, both Caribbean aesthetic, she seeks and the Dominican Republic. environment. “My work very spaces, and how they inform shot in St. Lucia in the early us.”

The series ‘Pulling the Net’ imaged a group of people at the sea shore working as a team to pull in the fishing Seemingly net/seine. Within that space, walking away an image of an old rum factory from a and a pipeline showed moment of connection to the fishers. discord, also “It’s sort of eerie in the from ‘Black sense where we think of our and Blue’. past in the Caribbean and what sugar and rum really represented to us,” Nadia expressed, continuing, “but having a people who are now free to express themselves in this environment, with that juxtaposition of the factory From the series ‘Pulling the Net’ – a representation of and the boat, showing the working together for the benefit of many.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2021. 13.

Soufrière

Relocation process has begun A NUMBER OF PEOPLE from the north eastern and north western areas of mainland St. Vincent who were severely affected by the eruption of the La Soufriere Volcano, will be relocated.

The assurance was given by Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves while speaking on NBN Radio on Wednesday morning.

As a matter of fact, Dr. Gonsalves indicated that the process has already started to relocate people in some communities and that a Committee has already been established to advise and manage that process.

The Prime Minister said that Deputy Prime Minister Montgomery Daniel had gone out with Muddy water laden with debris came rushing through Sandy Bay as recent as last weekend (July 10, 11).

La Soufrière’s volcanic ash caused building in Sandy Bay to collapse. team that included the Chief Surveyor and the Chief Physical Planner.

“And we have seen some preliminary indication as to what this will look like, certainly the Sandy Bay side …. The technical work is continuing and I am putting pressure on the committee and Donette Hull (Chief Physical Planner) to get for us at least in phases the demarcations, because she is required under the Town and Country Planning Act to prepare in these circumstances a national plan …. But specifically now to do a regional and a local plan for what the law call specially vulnerable areas.”

The Prime Minister also referenced a partnership between government a NGO out of Trinidad. The

collaboration is expected to see the construction of some twenty seven or so houses homes on the western part of the island, on lands that have already been demarcated.

“We have ordered significant amount of materials and this is only a first batch,” said Dr. Gonsalves.

The Prime Minsiter is hopeful that persons who might have housing needs will ease their expectations for support until the government can reasonably sort out persons whose houses needs to be rebuilt, esp3cially in the north western and north eastern sides of the island.

“It’s a big exercise, it’s going to cost a lot of money but you notice we are doing the work in a very careful and scientific manner,” Dr. Gonsalves posited.

Soufrière monitoring team gets new leader 14th July, after conducting yeoman service installing, repairing and drawing date from the monitoring system set up to keep daily watch on the eruptions of the La Soufrière, which began on April 9 and ceased on April 22, 2021.

Replacing Mr. Lynch as Lead Scientist of The UWI Seismic Research Centre Dr. Eurocilla Joseph is the (SRC-UWI) La first female to head the SRC- Soufrière Monitoring team is UWI in country La Dr. Eurocilla Joseph who is Soufrière Monitoring Team. the current Director of the SRC-UWI headquartered in

by GLORIAH… Trinidad and Tobago. Dr. Joseph arrived in SVG on INSTRUMENTATION Monday 5th June and her ENGINEER Lloyd Lynch left tenure will last for one month the shores of St. Vincent and in the first instance. the Grenadines on Wednesday, Speaking on NBC Radio’s

‘Monitoring La Soufrière on Monday, 12th July, the new team leader gave information on her specialty and the scope of her work.

She is a volcanologist and has been attached to the SRCUWI since 2002. Her specialty is Sulphur Chemistry. She has studied the chemistry of the gas and water of the hot springs associated with volcanoes in the Eastern Caribbean. She also assists with the monitoring at the Montserrat Volcano Observatory when needed.

Prior to arriving here, she managed and co-ordinated the activities of the monitoring team in SVG, from her base at The UWI. St. Augustus

Campus in Trinidad.

As per her immediate tasks, which she will conduct from the Belmont Observatory, she will ensure the date collecting, monitoring system there is up and running; co-ordinate the ongoing monitoring in the field; conduct some campaignstyle GPS exercises; assist with Sulphur Dioxide monitoring, and finish up anything left over from the current/previous team.

While on radio on Monday, Dr. Joseph responded to questions related to, but not confined to: the likelihood of fresh magmatic input; seismic activity levels; the incidence of lahars; venting at the volcano; access to the summit of the

Lloyd Lynch devoted much time to ensuring that monitoring sites were up and running. volcano for monitoring purposes.

Dr. Joseph will be replaced as Head of the monitoring team by Professor Richard Robertson, when her tenure finished on July 30.

V Lions distribute $1M in volcano relief 14. FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN

Civic Community

TO DATE, the Lions Club Kingstown-SVG and the Lions Club St. Vincent South, along with the Leo Club of St. Vincent, have together distributed over EC$1 million worth of items to over 3,227 persons displaced by the eruption of the La Soufriere volcano.

However, according to Lion Junior Bacchus, Coordinator of the joint relief effort, there is still about another $1 million worth of goods yet to be distributed.

According to Bacchus, since April 9, 2021 when the first eruption occurred the members of both Clubs have been organizing and distributing much needed items to evacuees.

In time, as more organizations and individuals joined in providing relief supplies

to evacuees, the decision was taken by the Lions Clubs to direct their effort and resources at assisting those evacuees who were accommodated in private homes.

“NEMO (the National Emergency Management Organization) was already overwhelmed with the 89 shelters that were already established and we knew that it was difficult for NEMO to take care of those persons in shelters and those in private homes,” Bacchus told members of the press in a briefing on July 5.

Once the focus was agreed, the need for a storage facility was identified. In this regard, the old Bottlers (Ju-C) Building, Kingstown was made available and this resulted in more effective organization and distribution.

What began as the distribution of vouchers from CK Greaves Supermarket morphed into a full delivery service that was admittedly, challenging, according to Bacchus.

And the challenge was intensified when it was realized that there were persons affected by other factors other than just the volcano — persons were battling the effects associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and dengue.

“So we knew that we were going to be bombarded with thousands of requests for goods,” Bacchus said.

This challenge led to the introduction of a system where persons would not come to the warehouse (Bottlers), but instead would be encouraged to register

and once qualified, they would have the items dropped off at their respective locations.

According to Lion Sabita Jacobs, Distribution Coordinator, the registered persons were organized into four zones.

All this work, Bacchus conceded, would not have been possible without the assistance of other groups, organizations, businesses and individuals.

He thanked the government for seeing it fit to extend duty free concessions on relief items and, in this vein, highlighted the role and assistance of the staff at the Port Authority and Customs.

Thanks was also heaped on Rainforest Seafoods who facilitated a 40ft and a 20ft container and Beacon Insurances/NP for providing a 40ft container filled with items.

Support was received from other Lions Clubs in the Caribbean, USA and Canada, Vincentian communities across the USA and Canada, and Catholic Medical Mission Board, USA. Sentry Insurance, Coreas Hazells Inc., Court’s SVG Ltd., FLOW and the Eastern Caribbean Group of Companies (ECGC) were among local companies that contributed to the Lions’ effort.

The World Pediatric Project also provided support.

Lion Junior Bacchus, Coordinator of the joint Lion Clubs’ relief effort, gave an overview of that effort.

Lion Sabita Jacobs Distribution Coordinator, directed the distribution of the relief aid to persons in four zones.

Bacchus was also in praise of the assistance received from the Brooklyn-based SVG Relief USA, Inc. Special mention was reserved for immediate past District Governor,

Maureen Graham, PMJF, who was instrumental in securing a grant of US$10,000 from Lions International.

The first phase of the joint Lions Clubs’ Relief Effort will effectively close at the end of July.

A new phase — Restoration and recovery - is expected to begin in September, Lion Bacchus disclosed. (DD)

Lion Junior Bacchus was ably assisted by Cornelia Moses, President of Lions Club South St. Vincent (left) and Rhandez Browne, President of Lions Club Kingstown – St. Vincent.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2021. 15.

News

PM JohnsonÊs holiday attracts attention BRITISH Prime Minister Boris Johnson told reporters in Britain that he did not see the conclusion of a report launched into a holiday he took from December 26, 2019 to January 5, 2020, but that there was “no case to answer.”

The issue surrounds a ten-day vacation spent in Mustique, part of the Grenadines island chain of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The findings are that Johnson and his partner Carrie Symonds occupied the villa Oceanus, owned by an American couple Craig and Sarah Richardson.

Sarah confirmed that they had rented the villa. Oceanus is a six room Moorish styled villa designed and built by Swedish architect Arne Hasselqvst in the 1970s. It was upgraded in 2016.

Controversy swirled following Johnson’s declaration that the £15,000.00 accommodation was a benefit in kind from Tory donor David Ross.

Ross’ villa was not available at the time and according to him, he had not paid “any monies” for the trip but “facilitated” accommodation for the Prime

Minister.

He allowed the Mustique Company to use his own villa to compensate for the Prime Minister’s holiday.

The vacationers bought their flights, and accepted the holiday accommodation as a gift.

Johnson’s overseas holiday came under scrutiny by the Parliamentary Commissioner of Standards Kathryn Stone.

This is an Independent Officer in the House of Commons overseeing the code of conduct and rules for Members of Parliament.

She contended that Johnson broke the rules not having “fulfilled conscientiously” the requirements to register donations.

Mustique has emerged as a unique community, dubbed as a stomping ground for the rich and famous. Celebrities of every ilk frequent the haven.

A promotion of the destinations highlights that “visitors are charmed by the island life, the unequivocal hospitality and

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Mustique Island Holiday Inquiry says he couldn’t say how it was funded. (Photo source: newsbinding.com) friendliness of the staff and sense of wellbeing this holiday island gives them as they return every year; not to mention that Mustique ‘prides itself on the privacy’ of its clients. (Sources: British Media)

Police uncover arms/ammo A RELEASE from the Royal SVG Police Force started that police operations here, on July 5 and 6, uncovered two (2) firearms and a quantity of ammunition.

The release said further that the discovery came as a result of an ongoing homicide investigation, when a party Rapid Response Unit (RRU) personnel conducted a search in Glen on July 5 and recovered one (1) Glock 27 pistol, one (1) Glock 23 pistol, five (5) magazines and seventyThe Glock pistols and three (73) rounds of .40 some of the ammunition. ammunition that police A further search was uncovered in Glen. conducted on 06.07.2021 which the police said, resulted in the uncovering of one (1) magazine containing fourteen (14) rounds of .40 ammunition.

Investigations into the discovery are continuing.

Glen has been the scene of at least two recent homicides here.

16. FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2021. 17.

Donations

Former PC donates to RSVGPF THE ROYAL ST. VINCENT and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) continues to benefit from the benevolence of Vincentians at home and abroad.

On Thursday July 7, 2021, at Police Headquarters, Kingstown, retired Superintendent of Police, Ellsworth Hackshaw, on the behalf of former Police Constable (PC) #536 Hayden Thomas, handed over a quantity of face masks, hand

sanitizers, first-aid kits and an assortment of personal items to Commissioner of Police Mr. Colin John.

Thomas was a member of the RSVGPF from 1988 to 1990 and was attached to administration.

According Mr. Hackshaw, Mr. Thomas was a very reliable officer during his short stint in the organization.

And even after his departure, his interest in the RSVGPF never

Residents of South Rivers receiving food supplies.

Park Hill Evangelical Church brings relief FOLLOWING the April 9th volcanic eruptions, several individuals from Park Hill who reside overseas reached out to the leaders of the church, to find out ways in which they could help the community.

As this was developing, the Evangelical Church of the West Indies (ECWI) churches in Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada and St. Lucia shipped supplies to the local body, for the affected local churches in the respective communities.

The Park Hill Evangelical Church (PHEC) meanwhile entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO), allowing for the Church, already an Emergency Shelter, to be designated a Relief Distribution Centre for the community of Park Hill.

During May and June, the church conducted several relief distributions. Over 2,270 food packages and cleaning supplies were handed over to 1000 households in Park Hill and surrounding communities. This was made possible through donations from individuals and churches from the North American diaspora and from individuals and churches from the Caribbean.

The church has also received relief supplies twice from the Tzu Chi Foundation of Taiwan.

In May, the Foundation sent 5 pallets of food supplies and cleaning products which were distributed to 250 households in Park Hill.

The Foundation followed this up on June 25 with a 20-foot container of relief supplies valued at EC$81,600.00. These supplies were distributed to 800 families in Park Hill, South Rivers, Mt. Grenan, Belle Vue, Colonarie, Byrea and Gorse.

waned. He said that it is Mr. Thomas’ hope that items donated would help to keep members of the RSVGPF safe while on the frontline of combating the coronavirus.

Commissioner of Police, Mr. Colin John expressed his appreciation on behalf of the RSVGPF and said that he was pleased that Mr. Thomas was giving back to the organization which played an

important role in his development.

He noted that the donation was timely and assured that the items would be used to the benefit of Police Officers.

(Source: RSVGPFF) SOP (Retired) Ellsworth Hackshaw (centre) hands over donation to COP Colin John (right) in the company of DCP Frankie Joseph. (Photo Source: RSVGPF)

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18. FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Tricked by my boyfriend Dear George, MY BOYFRIEND and I have been dating for two months. I had him show me his health record and evidence declaring him HIV/AIDS free. After seeing his paperwork, I jumped right into having unprotected sex. I just found out that the paper work he presented to me was faked.

I intend to pretend to him I do not know about this and give him the last meal of his sad life. I will cook a special meal for him on his birthday coming up in July. He must pay for his wickedness and learn not to mess with innocent women.

Hurt and revengeful Dear Hurt and revengeful,

What was done to you was cruel and underserving. That said, it will not change your story should you take your revenge as per the plan you have concocted.

What you should do as a matter of urgency is to get tested for HIV. Whatever the result, I suggest you speak with a counselor, at the AIDS Secretariat.

I understand your hurt, you feeling betrayed and probably scared. It is for all of those reasons why you need to speak with a counselor. I wish you the best going forward.

George

My brother is not listening Dear George, MY BROTHER

complained to me that his girlfriend who is not Vincentian but living

Man up! Ask her!

Dear George, I DID NOT finish high school but I have a little “hustle” that pays the bills. I know in time the business will get bigger and things would be better for me.

There is this girl that always buys from me.

My friends tell me she likes me but I have my doubts. She works in a bank; girls like her don’t date people like me.

On one occasion she asked when about my birthday. Another time she gave me her number and said I should call her when I got new stuff to sell.

Another time she even went further and asked if I had children and whether or not I was involved with anyone. When I asked her why she wanted to know, she just brushed it off.

Do you think I should come right out and ask her if she likes me? Suppose she is just being nice?

These kind of bourgeois women just want a man like me for one thing and I am not in that.

This one is real ticklish.

here, had cheated on him 13 times in the 91/2 months they have been together.

I told him it seems his girlfriend has a problem keeping her legs closed, and he should move on.

But he insists he is deeply in love with her and knows she loves him, otherwise she would not admit that she was cheating.

My brother clearly needs to have his head examined. He clearly is not listening to me.

Brotherly concern Dear Brotherly concern,

It is very possible that someone from one class could have genuine interest in an individual of another class. This female could be interested in you for more than what you are thinking.

Rather than making assumptions, follow your mind… have a head to head conversation with her and get her to explain herself.

You seem to be a hard-working and an ambitious individual. There are women who admire men who work hard and are driven by ambition. They do not care much about the academic status but instead they rather their men be ambitious.

This lady has all the answers to your questions and all you have to do is to just ask.

Let’s hope your brother reads this.

The best you can do is to advise your brother and hope that he would act on that advice.

Unfortunately, he does not seem to be so inclined.

He needs to accept that repeatedly doing the same act that brings hurt to your partner and the relationship is not an attestation of love. He would be a lot happier if he leaves her to sort herself out while he continues his search for someone who understands what it is to be devoted and committed enough not to engage in behaviour that results in hurt and pain.

You can show your brother where to walk but unfortunately, you cannot walk for him.

George

George

Stoneman Dear Stoneman,

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) This is a great day to get out and enjoy an entertaining evening with friends or lovers. You will be able to get to the bottom of things this week.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) Travel will entice you; however, a tendency to overspend is quite possible. You may want to try your hand at a little creative writing.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) It might be best to spend time fixing up your premises and making changes that will be appreciated. You must refrain from overspending on entertainment.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Invite friends over. Rest and relaxation may be required; minor health problems will prevail if you don’t watch your diet. Don’t rely on others to handle the workload.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Resist the temptation to gamble. Risks will not be profitable. Your ability to charm others will put you in the limelight at social functions. Do not let the reactions of others get you going.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Your creative talent will prove to be lucrative if put to proper use. Show what a dedicated person you can be.

Compromise may be necessary.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) You may want to take a look at your direction in life. Catch up on correspondence. You could find yourself caught in a one sided relationship.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Unrealistic promises will only get you in trouble. You can make profitable investments if you purchase an art object for your home. Sudden trips will take you by surprise.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Do a little investigating if there is someone at work you don’t trust. Don’t be too open or put your faith in unreliable coworkers. Your best gains will come through helping others emotionally.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Anger might lead to carelessness and minor Injuries. Your ability to work with detail could help you achieve your goals. Think hard before going into business with friends or family.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) Travel will initiate new friendships or love connections. Someone you care about may not be too pleased with you.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Your high energy will help you through this rather hectic day. Spend some time with people who can shed some light on your personal situation.

ACROSS 1. Hangar sights 5. Have bills 8. Opera soloist 12. Funny Baldwin 13. Employed oars 14. At any time 15. Go by taxi 16. Fawn bearer 17. Plummeted 18. Christmas tune 20. Helpful tips 21. Materialize 24. Trotting gait 25. Shore 26. Brownie ingredients 30. Sick 31. Florida city 33. Sewer-scurrying animal 34. Becomes less shallow 36. Soaring predator 3. Media mogul Turner 38. Sought election 4. Public disturbances 39. Dozing 40. Slow-moving garden 5. Command 6. Sweater fiber critter 7. Fleecy female 43. Chomp (down) 44. Wrestling maneuvers 8. Fashion creation 45. Thanksgiving veggie 9. Russian czar 10. Duct outlet 46. Speak wildly 11. Huge boats 50. Voice range 19. Mushy cereal 51. Sooner than, to 20. Most sacred Emerson 21. Caustic liquid 52. Wee jazz band 22. Fence support 53. Young adult 23. Like pastel colors 54. Tried – true 24. Sweet spread 55. Skim over 26. Used to exist 27. Impulse DOWN 28. Made-up story 29. Walk (on) 1. Glass container 32. Lodging house 2. Yale student

35. Incarceration site 37. Cautions 39. Aspired (to) 40. Petty fight 41. African river 42. Poker stake

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2021. 19.

43. Farm building 45. Positive vote 47. Curved line 48. By means of 49. Interminable period

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20. FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN

Seven NACAC medals for SVG IN ONE OF THIS COUNTRY’S BEST showing at an extra-regional Track and Field Championships, St Vincent and the Grenadines finished the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Under-18, Under-20 and Under23 Championships with seven medals.

Among the medals at the championships which ended in Costa Rica last Sunday, there were three gold, three silver and a bronze.

Shafiqua Maloney won the Women’s Under-23 800m in 2:08.13 and took silver in the 400m in a time of 52.73 seconds.

Handal Roban extended his rich vein of form when he took the gold medal in the Men’s Under-20 800m, clocking 1:49.75 and in the process, etablished a new St Vincent and the Grenadines Under-20 record, beating his own 1:49.94 set last month in Jamaica.

Roban returned to the track

Saturday afternoon to take silver in the 400m, stopping the clock at 48.97 seconds, .53 secs behind Wayne Mc Coy of the Bahamas.

The other Vincentian gold medallist was Uroy Ryan, whose 7.40m was the best in the Male Under-18 Long L-R: Handal Roban – Gold Medal in the Men’s UnderJump. And with that 20 800m and Uroy Ryan – Gold medal in the Male jump, Ryan broke the Under-18 Long Jump.

St Vincent and the Grenadines Under-20 record of 7.33m. Ryan, Welcome had a best leap of 13.16m, who is based in Jamaica, had set the which earned her the silver medal. national record earlier this year.

Kyle Lawrence took bronze in the Also mounting the podium for St male Under-18 100m on Friday, the Vincent and the Grenadines was first day of competition. His time was Mikeisha Welcome in the Women’s 10.71 seconds which trailed winner Under-23 Triple Jump. On Sunday, Alicke Cranston of Jamaica- 10.42 seconds, and Antigua and Barbuda’s

Shafiqua Maloney – Gold Medal in the Women’s Under-23 800m.

Ajani Daley in 10.68 seconds.

The other member of the team was Tamara Woodley, who placed fifth in the Women’s Under-23 400m. Woodley clocked 56.76 seconds.

St Vincent and the Grenadines ended sixth in the standings, with Jamaica topping the medal count. In all, seventeen countries participated.

Khalil Cato travelled as the Vincentian team’s coach. Kineke Alexander served as Manager/ Chaperone.

Three SVG debutants for Local cyclists prep on Tokyo the tarmac THE ST VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES Olympic Committee has named a three -member team for the 2020 Summer Olympics, to be staged in Tokyo, Japan, from July 23 to August 8, 2021.

The three — all Olympics debutants, are track athlete- Shafiqua Maloney; and swimmers — Mya De Freitas and Shane Cadogan.

Maloney, 22, leads the team as she was closest to make the Women’s 800m Olympic standard.

However, they all received Universality Places to the Olympics, as they did not meet the qualification standards for the Games.

Maloney will be fresh from taking gold in the Women’s 800m of the NACAC Under-18, Under-20 and Under-23 Championships, which ended last Sunday at the National Stadium in San Jose, Costa Rica. She also took silver in the 400m.

The Olympics would be Maloney’s first major

Swimmers Mya De Freitas and Shane Cadogan will join Shafiqua Maloney (pictured in separate article) to comprise the SVG teams to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. outing. She was unable to compete in the World Junior Championships in Poland in 2016, because of travel hiccups.

Fifteen year-old De Freitas, apart from competing at the OECS and Carifta Swimming Championships, participated in the 2019 World Swimming Championships in South Korea and the 2019 Pan American Games held in Peru.

In the case of 20-yearold Cadogan, he goes to Tokyo having competed

in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, 2014; the World Champions in Russia in 2015; the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) held in China 2018; and the World Swimming Championships in 2019 in South Korea.

Officials who will accompany the trio are: Jacintha Ballantyne Chief of Mission; Rawlson Morgan — Athletics Official; and Simone France Swimming Team’s Official.

SEVEN LOCAL CYCLISTS returned to the decommissioned ET Joshua Airport last Sunday afternoon, for an activity in preparation for the restart of the SVG Cycling Union’s calendar for 2021.

The event saw the Elite Category completing 13.2 miles, while the Masters rode for 9.90 miles.

First in the Elite Category was Lucky Antrobus in a time of 41:5.52, with Ojarrah Mayers second in 44:57.25. Finishing third was Rivas Young who had a clocking of 44.57.25.

Marlon Antrobus was the other cyclist in that category. His time was 45:7.12.

In the Masters Category, Peter Durrant was the first to complete the distance in a time of 33:23.71. Carlos

Masters category from left- Carlos Rivas, Peter Durrant, Martin Bollers.

Rivas clocked 35:50.24 to gain second place and third was Martin Bollers with a time of 36:23.47.

The cyclists will be back in competition this Sunday, but this time on the road. This Sunday’s race will begin in Arnos Vale, on to Diamond, with a finish at Belair. Meanwhile, two of this country’s Elite cyclists- Zefal Bailey and Albert Quammie - were in action on Sunday in Antigua, as that country’s Cycling Federation hosted a 33mile road race dubbed ‘King of the Hills’.

However, neither of the two made any podium finish.

Quammie placed fifth in 1:41.34.79 and Bailey Elite category from left- Ojarrah Mayers, Lucky was sixth in 1:42.21.34.

Antrobus, Rivas Young, Marlon Antrobus.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2021. 21.

Sports

National T&F Championships as expected IT WAS as expected: IT-DAT Academy, XCEL Track and Field Club took top honours at Team Athletics SVG National Championship, which was staged last weekend, at the Diamond Track and Field Facility.

IT-DAT pushed their noses in front of the others club and teams.

Their victors among the females were: N’Kenna London — U15 1000m (3:44.21) and Long Jump (3.97m); Tyhra Charles — U15 80m (10.48), 400m (1:01.36) and 200m (26.770); Shonte Matthias — U17 100m (12.52), 400m (1:06.37) and 200m (26.430; Annicea Richards — 17+ 400m (56.74); Odesha Nanton — 17+ 200m (25.70); Open Women 4x100m relay (50.92).

Among the males, IT DAT victors were: Ethan Myers — mixed 400m hurdles (57.51); Markie Edwards 20+ 1500m (4:15.2); Andre Spencer — 20+ Discus (38.90m); Ronaldo Richards - U15 400 meters (53.85) and 200m (24.21); Sage Primus — 20+ 100 meters (10.78) and 200m

(21.51); Sylvanna McKenzie — 20+ 800m (2:06.28).

XCEL Track and Field Club excelled among the males, with victories coming from: Nelle Ambriton — U20 800m (2:02.88) and 1500m (4:22.35); Desroy Jordan — 20+ 400m (48.20); Ethan Isaac — U15 80m (9.94); Israel Cumberbatch - U15 1200m (3:55.02); Godwyn Roban — 20+ Long Jump (6.76m) and High Jump (1.80m); Ronaldo Andrews — U20 Long Jump (6.23m) and Triple Jump (14.22m); Malik Ferdinand — U20 400 meters in 49.46; Open 4x400m relay (3:28.27) and Open 4x100m relay (43.90).

With a smaller number of entrants, High Performance Athletics Club saw victories from: Zita Vincent — 15+ Girls 800m (2:29.52) and 1500m Open (5:30.52); Kirk Hamlet — Male U20 100 meters (11.28), High

Jump (1.80m) and Discuss (29.23m), Male U20 100m (11.28) and 200m (22.59); Devonric Mack — Boys U17 200m (11.10) and 200m (22.59); Jefisha Ackie — Open Female Long Jump (4.28m); Mozart Lavia — Boys U17 400m in 54.13.

X-Ceed Sports Club had victories from: Girls 12-14, 4x100m relay (58.68); J’Aivar Cato - Boys U15 Long Jump (4.67M); Nabia Pompey - Open Female Discus (24.44m); Kodi Grant - Boys U17 Discus (20.00m).

Female goalkeepers in training NATIONAL female goalkeepers are receiving some specific training as both the Under-17 and Under-19 teams intensify their preparation for their upcoming qualifiers.

The training sessions are conducted by Urtis Blackett, National Under-20 and Senior Female Teams goalkeeping coach, and Amalis Marshall Under13 and Under-17 coach.

They are assisted by Kevin Richardson, goalkeeping coach of the National Men’s Senior team.

Blackett needs no convincing that the goalkeepers need the extra sessions, especially those preparing for

upcoming tournaments.

“We are trying to bring the girls together to bring them up to the standard for the Under17 Tournament in July and the Under-20 in September. …. We are working on their technical and tactical skills,” Blackett said in a recent interview.

He explained that this (training) included, among other areas, catching, distributing the ball and use of the feet, the latter being an integral part of the modern game.

Blackett underscored the importance of a good goalkeeper saying, “Once Goalkeepers in training defenders and every you have a competent (Back L-R): Keyshanna other player trust the goalkeeper it’s like half David, Kyshauna goalkeeper, especially of the team, because the Richards, Khadia when they are under Ashton, Marsha pressure.”

Marshall; (Front L-R): Blackett is pleased right Eshana Phillips, with the progress the girls have made thus far, Annjean Roach, Altica Benn. a sentiment shared by Marshall who admitted, though, that while “they areas to work on.”

She said that she was have come a long way… giving special attention they still have some to positioning and angling, foot work and Urtis Blackett (left) and “generally things that Amalis Marshall (right) conducted the trai9ning you do in a game.”

The training is being sessions, with the assistance of Kevin conducted at Victoria Richardson (centre).

Park.

Relay action at the National Track and Field Championship last weekend at the Diamond Facility.

Female footballers in tactical sessions ‘ASPIRE to inspire: we teach, we learn, we grow together on and off the field.’

This is the theme under which the Women’s Department of the SVG Football Federation is conducting a three-part virtual series on technical aspects of the sports for female players.

The first in the series was held on July 3rd, Theon Gordon, one of during which National the facilitators, hopes Under-17 Female that the virtual series Football Team coachwill improve the players Andrew Bramble, understanding of what conducted sessions on is required in actually positioning and playing football. responsibility.

In the second in the series, held last Saturday, July 10, and led by Theon Gordon, Athletics/Football coach and administrator, participants were taken through, among other areas, detailed sessions in principles of defense.

The final in the series is slated for this Saturday, July 17 and will zero in on principles of attack.

In commenting on his role, Gordon said, “My task is basically to educate as many people as possible about the game.”

Addressing the value of the series, he identified a lack of an “actual understanding” of what is required in the game, as one of the more telling deficits in football here.

“I think with the understanding of these principles we should play better,” Gordon said.

“So I am expecting that persons (participants) learn and share the knowledge… try to question it and develop so that as a country and individuals we can improve,” he added.

And as for feedback to date, Gordon said: “Generally I thought, based on the feedback I got at the end and throughout the session, that persons were clear and they understood the concept of the session.”

Participants are also expected to be exposed the ‘SVGFF Philosophy of the Sport’.

Stories I.B.A.ALLEN

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22. FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

Going for gold FORTUNES can change in the twinkling of an eye. You could be flying high in July, and by August you are shot down. But that’s no reason to be despondent. That’s how life goes.

The management of the Trinidad and Tobago senior football squad will reflect on their recent encounters with some amazement. They must have quickly dismissed the shock of the World Cup qualifying chance with that Bahamas debacle.

They endured a similar goalless draw this time against Mexico in the opening salvo of the Gold Cup campaign. Fans will recall a thrilling four all result between those two teams in a Gold Cup clash previously. But that latest encounter taken intro context will be greeted with satisfaction by the Caribbean lads.

The sad story is that El Salvador disposed of the Trinidad and Tobago squad.

El Salvador has advanced to the quarterfinals, having beaten Guatemala by the same margin as they did the Soca warriors.

The irony is that Trinidad and Tobago had to take care of Montserrat in order to reach the second round of the Gold Cup. And their obstacle was Montserrat who have earned some impressive results in recent encounters including the very El Salvador.

Grenada put up a brave show against Honduras in their first match, but the 4:0 loss will come as a wake-up call.

The Spice Islanders have the chance to rebound against Qatar in their next outing. The Middle Eastern country is using this tournament to fine-tune preparation for the 2022 World they will be hosting.

Sixteen teams are lined up for the Gold Cup. Which will be decided August 1.

SVG missed out on reaching that stage through a combination of misfortune. No one can accuse the players of lack of commitment. Sports can throw up some remarkable scenarios.

Results are unpredictable as the weather. So, teams, coaches, administrators, fans, must be prepared for anything.

Focus is also on the Olympics, being finalised with a backdrop of uncertainty.

I, for one thought that the conditions were not rife for such an undertaking. But others are not going to allow a generation of athletes to miss out on such a prestigious spectacle.

This year’ exercise, already forced into adjustments, will be remembered for more than the records smashed, medals secured, and friendship developed.

A cloud of uncertainty hangs over almost everything on the world stage presently. One never knows how the situation unfolds.

With the Diamond Track and Field Facility (aka Sir Vincent Beache Stadium) available, athletes have chances of reaching their goals.

It is left to hard work and commitment by the individuals.

I admire the determination of those who cast aside doubts and fears about staging the Olympic Games and defied logics to see its fulfilment.

The era of comprise remains a scarce commodity, and people seemed fixed in their pattern of productivity. However, with the changing face of global activity, the question of priority continues to be an important aspect of everyday choices.

Cricket fans will relish the staging of the Caribbean Premier League, arranged to accommodate the completion of the Indian Premier League.

Caribbean players will be glad for another opportunity to strut their stuff on the world stage. Only thing is that players tend to get carried away and feel obsessed on vanity at the expense of practical measures.

Minister hopeful for Sports’ full return THIS country’s Minister of Sport - Frederick Stephenson wants to see a wholesome return of competitions here, in the shortest possible time frame.

Stephenson expressed the sentiment last Saturday as he viewed the hosting of Team Athletics SVG’s National Championships at the Diamond Track Facility.

“I want to see all sporting disciplines getting back in full pretty soon rather than later… I am looking for the sporting facilities opening back up in full, once the necessary health protocols are in place and we follow the protocols,” Stephenson expressed.

“We had the VPL that went well despite we had a little controversy because some persons did not do the necessary social distancing, (but) I am hoping that Football, Cricket, Basketball and Netball get back to their full operation”.

And while he “…would like to see the stadiums (sporting facilities) filled again,” he admitted that

there are some hard courts that are yet to open.

He noted, however, that any full return of sporting competitions is contingent on the reduction on the number of active coronavirus cases here.

Apart from the actual active competitions, Stephenson alluded to people involving themselves in more physical activities.

Diamond Track Facility Delighted with what took place at the Diamond Track Facility on Saturday, Stephenson commented, “This is a great improvement to what we have had before …The athletes are performing well and are making use of this Athletics facility here at Diamond… I know this would augur well in terms of the development of Athletics here in St Vincent and the Grenadines”.

Stephenson expressed optimism that with Team Athletics SVG leading the way, other

Sports Minister Frederick Stephenson (right) in conversation with Track and Field Coach Godfrey Harry last Saturday, at the Diamond Track Facility. major Track and Field events will be hosted at the facility in the not too distant future.

“I am hopeful that the schools will come out later on this year and early next year to do their internal championships and which will culminate in

the big Inter- Schools’ Championships held here next year for the first time”, Stephenson projected.

Last Saturday’s National Championships was the first major event held at the Diamond facility since its official opening last November.

WPP assists cricketers THE SVG Cricket Association Inc.(SVGCA)was recently on the receiving end of a timely and essential donation from the World Pediatric Project (WPP), a locally headquarter non-profit organization that provides critical tertiary healthcare to children throughout the Eastern Caribbean and Central America, at no cost to the families.

The donation, in keeping with the national effort to combat the spread of the

coronavirus which causes COVID-19, included ten tents, face shields, facemasks, hand sanitizers, and disaster health/hygiene kits. The value of the items was put at EC$10,000.

In handing over the items to Romel Currency and Miles Bascobme — President and Vice President respectively of the SVGCA — at the Association’s office in Arnos Vale on July 6, 2021, Lauren McIntosh, Executive Director/WPP Eastern Caribbean, said

Some of the items donated by WPP to the SVGCA.

the intention was to have the items used by national cricketers in upcoming training camps and team-building activities.

She noted, “While our key objective is to ensure that children have access to advance and timely surgical care, within our network we have alliances who are enthusiastic about supporting these types of community initiatives.”

President Currency expressed gratitude on behalf of his Executive

and Association and described the donation as “…a thoughtful and valuable, …. one that will aid our programme for young cricketers across the country.”

He was especially thankful for the kits which he said would provide the Association with the wherewithal to engage those cricketers who have been affected by the volcanic eruption, in a safe environment.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2021. 23.

Classifieds

National Diagnostic Tests concerns Continued from Backpage.

At least one teacher told media personnel on Tuesday that the school year has been very difficult and a lot of the areas that were supposed to be covered were not because of time.

“And you are worried now about what might be placed on this government issued examination,” the teacher added and noted further that there was also limited time for preparation of the exam.

The National Diagnostic Tests began on Tuesday 13th July with Reading.

PHILMORE WARREN better known as Pedro Saturday, 10th July, 2021 Kingstown Gospel Hall Service: 10:30 a.m.

Interment: Kingstown Cemetery

ALBERTINA JOSEPH Sunday, 11th July, 2021 Grace & Truth Church Greggs Viewing: 10:00 a.m.

Service: 11:00 a.m.

Interment: Bascombe Cemetery, Greggs KASWALD JAMES

SHAWN A. KNIGHTS Saturday, 10th July, 2021 Green Hill Evangelical Church Viewing: 10:00 a.m.

Service: 11:00 a.m.

Interment: Kingstown Cemetery

RAHEEM DURHAM a.k.a. Scatta Sunday, 11th July, 2021 Glen Christian Church Viewing:10:00 a.m.

Service: 11:00 a.m.

Interment: Golden Vale Cemetery

Sunday, 11th July, 2021 Mt. Sinai Church Largo Height Viewing: 11:00 a.m.

Service: 12:00 noon Interment: Kingstown Cemetery

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FRIDAY, JULY

16, 2021

VOLUME 115, No.28

www.thevincentian.com

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NATIONAL DIAGNOSTIC TESTS CONCERNS weaknesses, and then to plan to cater to the strengths and weaknesses.

However, Senior Education Officer for Exams and Assessment Bernadette Greaves said the National Diagnostic Tests’ ultimate aim is to help students to improve on their learning through special interventions and remediation programmes.

The education officials dismissed the notion that that test will be used for promotional purposes.

Greaves confirmed that the tests seek to diagnose students’ strengths and weaknesses in relation to the school’s curriculum and learning standards in Language Arts and Mathematics.

Greaves explained that “Usually this assessment is done only in Grades 2 and 4. So why did we take this stand? It is because students’ learning was affected by the COIVID-19 pandemic and as we all know, the eruption of the La Soufriere Volcano. So the Ministry of Education needed some sort of indication on how students are performing in relation to the curriculum and to the learning standards.”

Bernadette Greaves, Senior Education Officer for Continued on Page 23.

Exams and Assessment, dismissed the notion that that tests will be used for promotional purposes.

by KENVILLE HORNE THE DECISION by the Ministry of Education to have a National Diagnostic Tests for Grades 2 to 6 is not sitting well with some parents, teachers and the SVG Teachers Union.

President of the SVG Teachers Union Oswald Robinson said that it is unfair that students have to take the standardized exam or assessment at this time, as some students would be at a disadvantage.

“One of the major concern is that it is a standardized test. So how could you do a standardized test when all schools were not teaching online at the same rate at the same pace?

There are students at different socio- economic backgrounds. All the students at all the schools are not at the same level so that is something that the authorities have to look at,” said Robinson.

The Teachers’ Union President said that the test is called a diagnostic test but it is more than that, because they are going to use it for promotional purposes.

“They have to promote the students, why would you have such a test?” asked Robinson, adding that his understanding of a diagnostic test is to see where one is in terms of their strengths and

The first tablets were rolled out to Grade 6 and secondary school students.

Oswald Robinson, President of the SVG Teachers Union, questioned the ‘wisdom’ of doing standardized diagnostic tests when there was clear variance in the amount of instructional time (online) for students.

GRADES K AND 1 YET TO GET TABLETS KINDERGARTEN and Grade 1 students are yet to receive tablets as promised by the government.

Education Minister Curtis King said in his response to Terrence Ollivierre during the July 6 sitting of the House of Assembly, that the devises to cater to these students were already procured and were expected to arrive here by the end of July. However, that shipment has since been delayed.

To date, 2,116 tablets have been distributed to students at the St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College; 9,744 to secondary school students; 9,541 to primary school students. Some 843 secondary school teachers and 993 primary school teachers also received devices.

“The goal is to ensure that every student has a device to

Published by The VINCENTIAN Publishing Co. Ltd, St. Vincent and the Grenadines;

access online classes and other educational resources,” King told the Parliament.

And the provision of tablets to students and teachers form part of the government’s initiative to integrate ICT into the curriculum to support the digital learning, King continued.

He added that his ministry was presently exploring the option of purchasing e-text books in order to reduce the number of physical text books that students are required to take to school.

Back in 2020, the government announced its intent to supply Grade 6 and secondary school students only, but later stated that it had been negotiating with a number of vendors and suppliers and that each student across the country would receive a device. (DD)

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