While, to some, the results may not be unusual, the school has been labelled a “problem school” over the years because of the behaviour of some students.

Many of the students at the school come from depressed areas in and around Marabella.

School principal Sheldon Jodha was clearly elated at his students’ success, “The hard work of students and teachers combined, ensured the academic success of six of our students at the CSE C exams this year,” he said.

Jada Clarke, 17, and Venessa Bobb, 18, each secured seven ones and one Caribbean Vocational qualification (CVQ) in their exams.

Clarke obtained six distinctions while Bobb captured five.

Their outstanding performances were followed by: Kerdesha Barclay, 17, Elizabeth Cooper, 17, Renee Smith, 17, and Samantha Gangapersad, 16, who obtained passes in all their subjects.

These young ladies were part of the third and final group of girls under the Ministry of Education Single Gender Initiative.

Under this initiative, Jodha said, “The pass rates at exams significantly increased and the MOE should reinstate this programme to ensure higher success rates.” The initiative was introduced in 2010 by the ministry to convert 20 co-educational schools to single sex with hopes of increasing academic performances.

Jodha believed Marabella South Secondary’s performance this year was a testament to the fact the project was working along with administrative changes that were implemented.

Jodha said the new school policies ensured that teachers were prepared and attended classes regularly.

There were also incentive programmes for students such as prizes for the top performers at the end of each term for academic success and achievements in other areas. To make the students feel appreciated at school, Jodha said the school distributed tokens on Valentine’s Day, Universal Children’s Day and Christmas.

Clarke, an aspiring actuary as well as the school’s highest achiever stated, “I am proud to say I am a Marabella South student.

My advice to incoming students is to always ask for assistance and it takes long hours, hard work and sacrifices to get the result you desire.” Smith, whose next step is to pursue a certificate in criminology, advised, “It does not matter what school you pass for. It depends on how you work. And through prayer and determination you can achieve all your goals in life.” The six students expressed heartfelt thanks to their teachers Ms Doughty, Mr Ramsagar and Ms Ramlogan. They placed emphasis on the excellent support system that their teachers provided, as well as their parents.

This was revealed by the Minister of Public Administration and Communications, Maxie Cuffie, who said Cabinet took the decision at its weekly meeting at the Diplomatic Centre in St. Ann’s on Thursday.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday at the NALIS Building in Port-of-Spain to give further details on Cabinet’s decision, Cuffie said, based on a media survey conducted in 2014, CTV had five to six per cent market shares and radio stations 91.1 Talk City and 99.1 Next FM both had less than one per cent audience. He said, “Commercial revenue had fluctuated between 30 and 33 million over the years 2011 to 2015.

Operational costs had steadily increased. A major element has been starting cost that ranged from 18.1 million in 2011 to 26.3 million in 2015.” He added that the media house’s expenses have increased every year from TT $44 million in 2011 to TT $56 million in 2015. “As a result, subventions have also increased from ten million in 2012 to 23 million in 2015,” he said.

Cuffie lamented that CNMG never achieved commercial success neither success in growing its market shares.

The one “bright spot”, according to Cuffie, was radio station Sweet 100 FM, which maintained market shares and was “very competitive” in the radio market. He said Sweet 100 FM will not be interfered with and will continue operations.

Though 99.1 FM and 91.1. FM will be shut down, they, as well as CNMG property, will not be sold.

He said the basis of reverting to TTT as a “public service medium” is the fact that there was a great attachment to the brand TTT; an attachment that was never achieved by the brand CNMG. He said, “There was always a problem with the name CNMG, people never bought into it, and the consultations proved that.” He said TT is “devoted to fulfilling the mandate of allowing filming, editing and broadcasting of local content, government information and news.” Though TTT will have a bias towards local content, Cuffie said there would be need for foreign content to “have some kind of appeal”, but there is interest in TT citizens to see local content from local producers. He also said the programming on TTT will promote diversity, local and Caribbean history and will “fill the gap left by other commercial producers in the market.” He said TTT is “still on the books” and had the brand identity that was able to “translate the public service medium objective.” He said the reversion back to TTT will foster growth in the local creative sector.

In a press release yesterday, the Filmmakers Collaborative of Trinidad and Tobago (FILMCO), said they “welcome” the announcement to revive TTT and such an initiative will “boost our sense of national identity and pride, create intellectual and creative capital and social awareness.” Former Head of News and Current Affairs at TTT, Jones P Madeira, said TTT was “more than a brand” and it represented a “golden” era in broadcasting.

He added that TTT was a success because of the “good people” and “dedicated professionals” that were a part of it. He said the reviving of TTT sounds good as a “philosophy” but he is unsure if it will “resonate” with current generations. Asked whether the forthcoming version of TTT can match up to its senior, Madeira said it can “if they are willing to put in the investment.”

I did not intend to write about Deborah, but I could not let her passing go unmentioned.

The news hit hard, but caused a stream of thought starting with her quiet strength, progressing to the importance of solid journalism, and finally to the meaning of media for our nation.

So, I smiled when I heard that TTT will be revived, because the issue of local television is part of that flow of ideas; it is part of the history, ideology and sense of purpose that are bound up with Deborah. In 2016, I wrote that “I have always thought that it was a strategic error to get rid of brand TTT … a limited vision for what it could mean for our society, effectively neutralised a serious weapon in our social defence.” But what are we supposed to be defending? Over the past two weeks, in our Theatre and Carnival Arts camp, we explored local cultural forms as part of our quest to better understand who we are.

The young people were exposed to games, stories and play. In one session, even the grown-ups were singing Miss Mary had Some Fine Young Ladies, Brown Girl in the Ring, Do you know Mr John Boulay? and Allé muen ka al lé.

However, for many of the young people, the games, the stories, the “Crick Crack!” were alien concepts, while the knowledge about Carnival beyond bikinis and feathers was limited.

For two weeks we worked with them, eventually getting them to put down their tablets and other electronic devices and move outside their comfort zones.

But after the camp, they will go back to their solitary entertainment centres and virtual worlds.

An institution like TTT should be at the forefront of penetrating these worlds, infusing them with engaging and easily accessible local alternatives.

We talked about all of this with Deborah, the need for a clear vision and philosophy for how media should impact and drive nation building. The concepts of vision and philosophy are critical, because even though TTT and then CNMG were supposed to champion images of “we,” it may be argued that the people at the helm lost their way.

Yes, there was some local content like the early iconic programmes with personalities like Aunty Hazel, Allyson Hennessy and Sham Mohammed, and later with the rebranded station; but the mandate to enlighten and empower did not capture the imagination of the people as it did in those early post-independence days.

So, how to do this, how to harness our talent and resources and use the media to inspire? The name is an important start.

It goes to the core business of the station, that is, creating television for the people of TT.

Local films are being made and smart phones are used to create commentary on everything from the environment to labour issues.

There is a growing animation capability, live performances, and across communities people continue with their festivals and indigenous events. So, in 2017, the content is there.

In her own quiet way, Deborah was a fighter, with her sharp mind and peaceful smile. She is no longer in pain, but I feel sure that she is still smiling, in anticipation of what is to come.

Dara Healy is a performance a r t i s t a n d founder of the N G O , the Ind i g e – n o u s Creative A r t s Network – ICAN

Roach and fellow fast bowler Shannon Gabriel took four for 71 and four for 51 respectively to dismiss England for 258 on day one yesterday. At the close West Indies were 19/1 after 12 overs in reply with Kraigg Brathwaite and Devendra Bishoo at the crease.

Roach is hoping the West Indies can put the regional team in a strong position today after surviving a tricky period under lights yesterday. “It could have been more (wickets) obviously.

Batting under lights is never easy, but I will say well played to Kraigg and nightwatchman Bishoo and I think that once these guys can stick out there and put up a fight against the English we can get a lead and try to win this Test match,” he said.

Roach, who was proud of his effort, said it was also great to see Gabriel playing again after recovering from injury. “It is really good to see Shannon fit and raring to go. He has been our best bowler for the last year and I will say well bowled to him for his four-for. For me I felt really good as well today (yesterday) and I just want to continue doing what I am doing, working hard and getting more wickets for the West Indies.” Roach said team meetings over the last few days helped the West Indies.

“We had a very strong team meeting, a very open team meeting so the guys know what we are about for the rest of this tour. It is all about going out there putting your best foot forward, working hard and performing for the West Indies.”

At a recent news briefing in Tobago, Duke vowed to swim between the two islands starting Monday at 8 am, he later elaborated that he would undertake this feat in a relay with fellow THA minority member Farley Augustine.

Duke has begun to hype up the event by posting on a picture of himself clad in a wetsuit to his Facebook page along with a video of him and Farley in a practice swim with the musical backing of a Mavado-styled singer extolling his ambitions.

However, open-water swim veteran Gordon Borde, in a CNMG News interview with Kent Fuentes, cautioned Duke over the reality of sea conditions, based on his own unsuccessful attempt at a similar feat in 2013 from Crown Point to Toco.

“It would take us 12 hours to reach Toco Point, we had estimated,” Borde said. “We had to go across the shallows and experience the currents and so on.

“But the currents were so strong that they were pulling us down, like we were going to Venezuela. So after a period of 14 hours, and we did 25 miles, we abandoned the swim.” He said Duke’s swim from Scarborough would be even tougher.

“Let’s say he does get to a certain distance off of Tobago, he’s going to encounter the easterly currents,” Borde added. “So he’s going to go through the same thing we went through.

Borde said that only in the unlikely event of perfect conditions on a particular day, then an experienced open-water swimmer would have a chance to complete the course. In Duke’s case, Borde said, “If he wants to make it across, perhaps go across in a boat.”

According to reports, the constable was on duty when he was struck. He suffered some injuries after being thrown from his motorcycle. He was taken to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex where he was treated and warded.

The samples taken from Aleena Babwah and Surendra Harrylal would confirm via Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing if the charred unrecognisable remains is that of Harrylal.

Harrylal, 26, her common- law husband Michael Applewaithe, 35, and another male were believed to have been tied up and the house set ablaze. At about 8 am, a villager in a car was alerted to the tragedy when she saw Harrylal’s four year old son wandering barefoot along the roadway.

The villager said the boy appeared to be traumatised. The crying child told the woman his mother was burnt in a fire and is in heaven.

The villager, who knew the boy, drove to the family’s home and saw the house burnt to the ground.

The house is located miles off the Carlsen Field Road in a forested area and there are no houses in close proximity to the structure.

Members of the Police and Fire Services were contacted and when they arrived, police said a trail of blood was found near the ruins. Investigators are working on the theory that the occupants were killed and their bodies set on fire in the house. Residents said they had seen smoke earlier that day but many assumed it may have been a bush fire in the area.

Yesterday Harrylal’s step father Errol Babwah told Newsday was still struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.

“We know it is Michelle. This is really hard and I don’t know if we will ever be able to get over this. My step daughter did not deserve this.” Police are asking members of the public to assist them with any information they may have with respect to the unidentified person believed to be an adult male. Homicide Region Three members are investigating.

The reports of this matter are shocking. A family home, nestled in a forested area miles off the Carlsen Field Road, was invaded then burnt to the ground. Three bodies were recovered at the scene. Dead are Michelle Harrylal, 26, her common-law husband Michael Applewaithe, 35, and another male.

We express condolences to the family of the victims. They should be given the necessary support and counselling they will badly need during this trying and traumatic time.

Miraculously, a four-year-old child – understood to be Michelle Harrylal’s child – escaped from the scene. How the child managed to escape is unclear but he will forever live with the pain of the circumstances of the death of his family. Though he was left without physical injury, the psychological injury he is likely to have endured is profound and will affect him for the rest of his life. We hope he receives the requisite counselling. If it becomes necessary, the Children’s Authority may have a role in this matter.

Certainly lawyers with experience in representing the interest of minors should be present at all points of contact between the child and the police to ensure his best interest is kept at heart during this investigation.

This matter is still under probe, but it is shocking to think of how events may have unfolded. The family may have been set upon during their sleep in the dead of night, murdered and their house destroyed. Another possibility – suggested by a trail of what appeared to be blood – is the murders took place outside of the home and then the bodies were dumped in the house to be burnt.

The crying child told a woman who found him wandering barefoot along the roadway that his mother was burnt in a fire and is in heaven.

The facts of this case will remind many of the brutal murder of an entire family in Malabar in June, the murder of a family in Brasso Seco in 2014, and the 1994 murders of Deo, Rookmin, Hamilton and Monica Baboolal of Piparo at the behest of Dole Chadee. In the latter case, two children survived. Chadee was later hanged.

While members of the Carlsen Field community are shaken at this time, it is important for all to cooperate with the police and to come forward with any information they may have. They must assist law enforcement authorities as much as possible and also offer whatever support is needed by the family.

News of the murders in Carlsen Field came as the body of a woman was found in Valencia bearing marks of violence.

The country is on edge. These developments show that crime remains too much of an element in our social fabric and efforts to tackle it must continue intensely.

We hope the police have the required resources they need to comb the scene and to pursue leads. While there are many important issues facing the land, eradicating crime must be our number one priority.

That includes reforming the Police Service, as well as the criminal justice system as a whole. But more immediately, it means ensuring there are enough trained and experienced officers to work on the large number of cases that continue to emerge daily.

In a few weeks, Minister of Finance Colm Imbert will set out his Budget for the next year. It is hoped that while economic times remains hard, the Budget for the national security apparatus remains protected.

For now, all efforts must be aimed at finding the killers behind the Carlsen Field murders.

Jamaican Valaine Clarke and Indian Amritalakshmi Shanmugam defeated Jones and Tom Yew 6-2, 6-1 to advance to today’s final. In the other semifinal, American Jackeline Lopez and Ariana Salgueiro-Estela of Puerto Rico outlasted American Odette Beagrie and Japanese Remika Ohashi 7-6, 7-6.

On Thursday, Kamran McIntosh- Ross of TT defeated his countryman Nathan Valdez 6-3, 6-1 to win the boys Under-14 singles title. Alexis Bruce of TT could not win the girls Under-14 singles title, after falling to Sarinah Maduro of Curacao 6-1, 6-4.

In an all-TT final, Isabel Abraham and Keesa Lee Young lifted the girls doubles Under-14 title after defeating Aalisha Alexis and Shauna Valentine 7-5, 7-5.

In the boys doubles Under-14 final, Kyle Kerry and Ethan Wong of TT went down 4-6, 2-6 to Aidan Bousquet and Maxx William of St Lucia.

Today is the final day of the Under-18 tournament with matches serving off at 9 am.

The event is being produced by The Kaiso Unit in recognition of Crazy’s contribution to the art form.

Crazy is well-known for his rib-tickling humour as well as his social commentaries, infectious soca and parang soca music.

He is one of those artistes who have been able to straddle the political divide and remain relevant, His love for the artform and young people has manifested time and time again in his charitable nature — supporting many artistes over the years, the Unit said. The Kaiso Unit which comprises a group of prominent South-based artistes (led by Ras Kommanda) will honour this living legend who has been an inspiration to hundreds of artistes.

The show begins at 8 pm at the C Phillips Pub and will feature performances from Ras Kommanda, Kenny J, Gary Cordner, Lady Adanna, Versatile, Hamidullah, and Nerukhi (The Conscious Lyricist) and Crazy. The Unit said the show is another example of efforts by calypsonians to promote the national artform all year round and promises to be a memorable one.