Established October 1895 See inside Monday May 3, 2021 $1 VAT Inclusive PARENT ADVOCATE ISSUES CAUTION “TODAY for me, tomorrow Concerned Parents of Barbados Moore recalled that the CXC port which was produced by an spect to CXCs, grading method- for you.” was a panellist in a discussion exam structure and grading international body,there was no ology, communications, lack of That’s the warning coming on Brass Tacks Sunday yester- methodology was changed last public ventilation of the recom- consultation with stakeholders, from Paula Anne-Moore who day with student advocate year because of the pandemic. mendations. Moore further i.e. students, teachers, and par- cautioned that the unresolved Khaleel Kothdiwala and head When the results came back in lamented that the report as it ents. And it seems as though a “fiasco” of 2020 relating to re- of the Barbados Secondary September last year, she said was presented, seemed to focus lot of those recommendations sults from the Caribbean Teachers’ Union Mary Redman there was a huge regional outcry on what was alleged to be inap- have not been implemented. Examinations Council (CXC) as they dissected the challenges with thousands of students ex- propriate grading of the School And here we are in 2021.And al- could spill over into 2021 if not which they note could spell trou- pressing distress at their re- Based Assessments by teachers. though the immediate crisis is fully ventilated. ble for students in the short and sults. “But there were also findings not with respect to the 2021 Coordinator of the Group of long term. She noted that out of the re- in terms of deficiencies with re- EXAMS on Page 3 Ross honoured for 29 years of service LAST Friday the Queen Elizabeth Hospital honoured Agnes Ross, one of its stalwarts of the Obstetrics Department, who was retiring from her pas- sion after more than 29 years of service. The emotional and inspiring ceremony was one which should give any aspiring nurses or cur- rent nurses the motivation to continue to follow the path to- wards their dreams and face challenges head on, as the re- ward was a lifetime of memo- ries. Ross encouraged all nurses to give of their best at all times, as the lives of the nation de- pended on it. “I entered this noble profes- sion at an early age, because I was very passionate about the sick and suffering, even my pets. I rose to the rank of ward sister, very early after graduating as a Registered Nurse Midwife in Guyana,” said Ross. Ross moved to Barbados and was attached to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital with over 19 years of experience and was at- tached to the Obstetrics Department where she re- mained for more than 29 years. “My memories of midwifery will always be in my heart, be- cause pregnancy and birth is a unique time in the life of a fam- ily. Educating the pregnant mothers, their families, the stu- dents and my colleagues were very important to obtain and maintain a successful standard of care,” she said. (AS) QEH Nursing Officer Loraine Trebble (right) makes a presentation to retiree, Agnes Ross. 2 • Monday May 3, 2021 The Barbados Advocate Students showcase their skills By Cara L. Jean-Baptiste three members, went from Trinidad, one from transformation needed these type of coding and difference. So as a sponsor, through a detailed presen- Grenada and one from within the Caribbean. programming skill sets to Sagicor is very proud of the SIX teams of students tation of their work and it Jamaica. “From a business per- actually be part of the so- discipline, effort and com- gathered virtually on was well-received. Paul Inniss, from spective, businesses in the lution. mitment that the students Saturday to showcase Executive Director of the Sagicor Life Inc. expressed Caribbean and “What is also important, have placed to complete projects they worked CSF, Professor Cardinal that he was proud to see Governments have prob- I find, is that this program any workshop.” on for the last 13 weeks. Warde explained that the the programme continue lems and challenges and also allows you to develop Inniss congratulated the Students of the workshop, which ran for to provide a great platform we are looking for solu- the necessary, what I call CSF and its instructors for Caribbean Science 13 weeks, met on Saturday for people to develop skills tions,” he said. team skills, or skill set, be- the excellent work they Foundation (CSF) from 9am to 12pm. in areas that are needed “And we are starting to cause in order to actually were doing and for ensur- Computer Coding He revealed that most of to make a difference in the think that this is a good work as a team to build a ing there was a forum for Workshop gathered to the students were from lives of persons in the opportunity for those who solution or service, you students interested in showcase their skills. Each Barbados, but this year Caribbean but also sup- have these skills and are have to work together.And STEM to develop their team, which consisted of they also had one student port and facilitate the interested in developing this makes a significant skills in the region. New term of Spanish lessons online started CLOSE to one hundred called that back in enthusiastic students, January the Minister in from all levels, have just the Primer Minister’s began a new term of Office with Responsibility Spanish Language and for Culture and National Venezuela Culture les- Development, John King, sons held online by the thanked the Venezuelan Venezuelan Institute for Embassy for partnering Culture and Cooperation, with the National Library IVCC, in alliance with the Service to provide National Library Service. Barbadians the opportu- “The students have nity to engage in the shown great interest, not learning of a new lan- just in Spanish, as a for- guage. eign language, but also in Sanchez Cordero added Venezuelan culture, gas- that “this alliance helps tronomy and music,” said in bringing both of our Joseph Inniss, an instruc- countries closer together; tor at the IVCC. thus, deepening our ties This term, which ex- of friendship and solidar- tends until July, will em- ity.” phasize on the Marcelle Maughan, Bicentennial celebration who has been attending of the Battle of Carabobo, lessons at the IVCC, said: in which Venezuela sealed “I am very happy because its independence in 1821. the workshops on conver- In addition, a virtual exhi- sational Spanish have bition of the San Juan (St. started again. I really John) festivities will be of- missed those lessons.” fered, as part of the Afro- Last week, on 23 April, Venezuelan Heritage the official opening of the Month, which is cele- second term was brated throughout May. launched with a Literary In January of this year, Workshop in tribute to the IVCC partnered with Venezuelan writer Teresa the National Library de la Parra, who passed Service to offer these away the same day as the courses to Barbadians as International Day of the a means to wider their Spanish Language and horizons and gain a better the passing away of both cultural knowledge of William Shakespeare and Venezuela. Miguel de Cervantes “Our experience with Saavedra. the National Library In more than 40 years Service of Barbados has of existence, the IVCC has been outstanding. We taught Spanish Language have worked together and Venezuelan Culture very smoothly since the courses to over 10,000 beginning of this year and Barbadians, who in turn expect to continue doing have used these skills in so,” said the Venezuelan strategic sectors of the Charge D’Affaires,Alvaro Barbadian economy,such Sanchez Cordero, who re- as tourism and trade. The Barbados Advocate Monday May 3, 2021 • 3 Time for transformation Barbados Port Inc commemorates 60 years of the Port of Bridgetown THE Barbados Port Inc Minister Humphrey ad- “The world has never stepping up to serve as a is celebrating 60 years dressed those in the con- been crazier than it is now, voice for the people. of the Port of gregation along with those but I also feel that this is “What must we do now, Bridgetown, at it com- listening virtually and ac- the time to do certain regarding rhythm, tim- menced with a church knowledged that it was things and the ing? What must we do now service at the truly necessary for God to Bridgetown Port must do to help serve the people? Sanctuary be part of any plan and certain things,” he said. At the end of the day, that Empowerment Centre also noting that according “Minister Cummins and is what the port is sup- yesterday morning. to Psalms, unless the Lord Chairman Olde, they posed to do, that is what The Port of Bridgetown is part of the building worked on the idea that all institutions are sup- is an award-winning, full process, those that labour, the port must become the posed to do, serve people,” service, international labour in vain and for most innovative and green said the minister. trade seaport, managed by those who watch the city, maritime hub in the Referencing transfor- Barbados Port Inc. It was unless God watches the world.” mation and how a church opened by Sir Grantley city, they watch in vain. The minister went on to seeks to help with the Adams on May 6th, 1961. The minister also asked explain that the signifi- transformation of dark- Minister Kirk that the church and its cance of this was that ness into light, Humphrey Humphrey, Minister of members keep the Barbados wanted to lead said that the Bridgetown Maritime Affairs and the Barbados Port Inc in their and this was an ideal time Port, metaphorically,must Blue Economy, was the prayers and thoughts.