News Briefs

Police lock-up visits restricted

The increase in the number of COVID-19 cases across the island has led the police to restrict prisoner visits islandwide.

In a release yesterday, the police said that this would be enforced with immediate effect.

Relatives of inmates who wish to drop off necessities should make contact with the relevant station in order to make the necessary arrangements, the police have advised.

Additionally, persons are being urged to make an effort to have inmates who were granted bail taken out of the lock-ups to help reduce overcrowding.

Brown Burke raises education concern amid third COVID-19 wave

Opposition Spokesperson on Education and Training Dr Angela Brown Burke has raised questions over a statement by Education Minister Fayval Williams that when the new school year begins, the first two weeks will be exclusively virtual and, therefore, the most at-risk students will again miss days of critical education.

In a release yesterday, she called on Williams to clarify the intended plan for reopening, reiterating that a clear approach for students performing below grade level, those who were not effectively engaged during the last school year, and those with unique learning styles be articulated.

She said that the plan must account for a high number of COVID-19 infections that are likely over the next few weeks.

CXC appoints new pro-registrar and deputy CEO

The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) has appointed Dr Eduardo R. Ali, an experienced education policy and development leader, to the role of pro-registrar and deputy chief executive officer.

Ali, who took up the post on August 1, will lead and strategically manage the Western Zone Office in Jamaica and is responsible for the Research and Educational Services Division, several Council committees, educational transformation, innovative learning products, and regional and international alliances and partnerships.

The CXC noted that Ali’s career of nearly three decades has positioned him in key roles in the Caribbean, North America, the United Kingdom, and the Middle East within the field of education.

“Dr Ali’s experience will be pivotal as CXC embarks on its transformational agenda within the context of the 2021-2025 Strategic Plan,” the regional examinations body said in a release.

Dick-Forde appointed acting deputy principal of UWI Open Campus

The University of the West Indies (The UWI) Open Campus has announced the appointment of Dr Emily Gaynor Dick-Forde as deputy principal (acting) effective August 1.

Dr Dick-Forde, who has served in The UWI for more than 28 years, has a passion for research and the ability to effectively organise and lead teams through complex interventions, The UWI noted in a release.

“After 28 years of service to The UWI, I feel blessed to be invited at this time to support Principal [Dr Francis] Severin as he serves as interim principal at this critical moment for The UWI Open Campus for the academic year 2021-2022,” Dick-Forde was quoted as saying in the release.

“I am indeed gratified that we have the support, energy, wisdom, frankness, integrity, and tenacity that Dr Dick-Forde brings to the post of deputy principal,” Severin said.