Suratt said while he endorses the Penmanship Project recently launched to help students develop their handwriting skills, the introduction of Braille will help low-vision students who may eventually go blind.

“Children who attend government primary schools with low vision should be encouraged to use Braille because there is a possibility that the child may go blind. It is important for that child to develop that skill. [In] the event that you lose your sight completely, you won’t be scrambling to learn something new.” He said visually impaired children need the Braille component to help them do maths and English, and to function in the classroom, rather than depending on audio from the computer.

Suratt said just as students are being encouraged to use penmanship to develop their handwriting skills, especially to help them in their exams, emphasis must also be placed on visually impaired students at government primary schools. When contacted, Education Minister Anthony Garcia said the ministry’s Student Support Services Department was looking at the possibilities of introducing the teaching of Braille so visually impaired students in primary schools had an opportunity to move forward.

“Yes, it is an excellent idea, and it is something we are going to look at. The objective of this government is to encourage every child to have an opportunity of accessing education.

The first step is access – every child should have the opportunity of accessing education – and the other step is inclusion.

No one must be left behind. Regardless whether you suffer from any disability, we want to ensure that things are put in place for students to access the education the ministry has to offer.” Garcia said with the continuation of the penmanship programme, students who write in cursive make it much easier for the markers to read and understand.

“Penmanship is going to be a requirement of all teachers in the primary schools to teach. The practice was not carried out as much as it should have been.

However, a number of schools still continue with the practice.” He said the ministry had to make sure there was a balance, because the younger generation was now in the digital age where they use computers and smartphones.

“People are accustomed to texting using letters on these digital devices and, if we are not careful, we are going to lose a very important skill and a very important area of communication.

“We are not throwing out the digital aspect of it. We are insisting that handwriting must be looked upon and it must be regarded as something of extreme importance to the education of a child.”

Batting first, Bamboo All Stars totalled a massive score of 284 runs for the loss of three wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Bravo`s classy innings of 105 runs came off 63 balls including five fours and seven sixes.

The estranged left handed batsman, who last played for West Indies in November 2016, played an assured innings as he started cautiously then exploded to the end by hitting the ball to different parts of the grounds. Adding to the carnage was West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard as he bullied the bowling in his explosive innings of 51 runs from 16 balls including six maximums, with four of them off consecutive balls. Miguel Fredrick also chipped in 49 runs from 31 balls. Oba Thomas (1/32) was the best bowler for the Warriors.

Underground Warriors` innings never got going and they could only reach 93 in 13.3 overs. Alden Daniel was the best batsman for the Warriors scoring an even 50 with seven boundaries. Doing the damage with the ball for All Stars were Pollard (3/8) and Amit Dass (2/11).

In a previous match, El Socorro Youth Movement (EYM) held their nerves in the end to win a thrilling encounter by three wickets against Charlieville Same Side.

“Same Side” were inserted to bat after losing the toss and could have only managed 101 after being bowled out with one ball remaining from their 20 overs. Leading runscorer was Terrance Hinds with 25 runs from 15 balls including two sixes and he was assisted by Adrian Ali with 22 runs from nine balls with two maximums.

They struggled throughout their innings but were wrecked by the eventual Man-of-the-Match, medium pacer Keon Isaac (4/13), and left-arm orthodox Selvin Jacobs (3/16), who had the first hat-trick of the tournament.

Requiring 102 for victory should have been easy for EYM but it came down to one run needed of the final ball which was fortunately granted to them by Tariq Abdool after he bowled a wide.

Cousins Kwasi and Aaron Alfred were the main contributors with the bat making 31 runs and 24 runs respectively, while Shakeim Prince chipped in with 19.

Kissoondath Magram made life difficult with his leg spin bowling as he took 4/10, including the second hat-trick of the night with all the wickets being bowled.

Churches are generally sacred ground for everyone — including bandits. I have never heard of a priest being robbed or a church being defiled by such behaviour — even in the most deplorable ghettoes of North and South America. And look who these bandits robbed: Fr Harvey, a priest who is known for his social and community work.

Of course this shows just how low the low life are willing to stoop. Of course we should all be outraged about this violent act as we should be outraged by any act of violence. But, I ask you, what are we all doing about the violence in this country? A Facebook message or letter expressing our discontent is not enough. Pontificating about what the authorities are not doing does not solve the problem either.

What we need to do is tackle two major issues in this country: irrelevant education and poverty.

Our schools need to be places where students learn skills — not just subjects so that everyone – including poor children who can’t go to university and children who are not inclined to go to university — can feel hope and a sense of success.

We need to think outside the box when it comes to education.

Skills-based classes are not just woodworking, welding or plumbing.

Students should be coming out of secondary schools as landscapers, small business entrepreneurs with their own food, laminating or repair business. They should be PVC furniture makers or decorative tile experts.

While in school, all students should have classes that transcend ethics and religion. They need to be in classes that teach cooperation and empathy.

Too many students come out of school in this country with no passes and a heap of rage because they feel like failures.

They go back to their poor neighbourhoods where someone is willing to make them feel like “somebody” by putting a gun in their hands. They have no feelings; no appreciation for life because no one has taught them how to care or appreciate life on any level. We are not asking the right questions in this country.

We are incensed when poor people from Morvant burn tyres in the road and protest about not having a community centre or jobs, but what causes them to get to that state? Our problems can’t be ignored forever. Someone has to figure out why poverty is so prevalent, and why money is not more evenly distributed in this country? Why do people in some areas of this country feel utterly neglected? We have to seek solutions — and I don’t mean more Cepep work.

My heart goes out to Fr Harvey and everyone who is a victim of violence.

We don’t deserve to fear for our lives every waking moment of the day. We must find ways and means of teaching people to be in control of their own lives so that the gangs and the guns don’t control them or us. Everything is out of control because we are a people who don’t think about solutions.

We just like to complain and then engorge on rage. It gets us nowhere. We will not solve our problems until the Government seeks meaningful solutions for society’s woes.

Stop wasting money on useless public servants and put that money in more programmes to help poor p e o p l e b e c o m e self-sufficient.

Insist on revamping education.

Insist on a better

Amanda Joseph, the wife of Wakeel who has openly confessed to being linked to the Unruly Isis gang complained of chest pains at her Crown Trace, Enterprise, Chaguanas home, around 8.45 pm on Monday .

She was rushed to the Chaguanas Health Centre by her husband where Dr Khatri made several attempts to resuscitate the woman but she died around 9.45 pm .

The news of Joseph’s death shook the entire Crown Trace area and yesterday Wakeel was preparing to bury his wife .

However, he will have to wait until today for an autopsy to be carried out at the Forensic Sciences Centre in Port-of-Spain before the body is released for burial .

Yesterday senior police officers met in an emergency meeting and activated a security blanket over the Crown Trace area where the woman lived and where the wake is being held after receiving reports that rival gang members were planning to disrupt the mourning at the Crown Trace home .

Police and soldiers were assigned to ensure law and order prevail in Enterprise and were given new instructions to maintain a presence in the Crown Trace area and to ensure that no criminal activities take place .

Police sources said yesterday that they are taking no chances and have even offered to provide a presence at the home of Wakeel and to offer counselling to him and members of his family .

Yesterday Crown Trace residents began converging at the home of Wakeel shortly after news of his wife’s death spread and brought snacks for the wake. However because this is the month of Ramadan and Wakeel has been fasting the residents were told to return later with the food .

According to the Islamic faith if one dies during the month of Ramadan that person goes straight to Allah and all their sins are forgiven .

Police sources say due to the circumstances surrounding the young woman’s death, they are requesting that an autopsy be done to ensure no foul play .

Meanwhile Head of the Islamic Front, Umar Abdullah offered condolences to Wakeel and his relatives on the passing of his wife .

He described her as an inspiration and a tower of strength .

On March 31, during a walkabout in Enterprise following four killings in the area, National Security Minister, Edmund Dillon confronted Wakeel about whether he, (Wakeel ) was responsible for a spate of videos posted online, which according to Dillon, had the entire country uneasy.” Wakeel later admitted to the Minister that he was in the videos .

At the time he also told the Minister that he would be willing to tell the authorities who the crooked police officers are and where the illegal guns are hidden .

Overall the many speakers praised Ferreira’s journey from childhood poverty to dock worker and labour activist to Butlerite to People’s National Movement (PNM) stalwart to Organsiation for National Reconstruction (ONR) stalwart and then back to the PNM.

Rowley said he first met Ferreira in 1986 when he (Rowley) became PNM deputy leader.

“I realised he was someone special, telling me about ‘being there and having done that.’ I attached myself to that intellect and that experience.” Rowley recalled working with Ferreira post-1986 to rebuild the PNM. “He brought to the PNM that experience of the ONR. I was the beneficiary of that experience and goodness.”

In a release to the media, Mason said “Atlantic’s offer of VSE P to some of its employees is a matter of deep concern to me personally, and to all the burgesses of Point Fortin.” Mason said while he understands the challenges facing the energy sector, “the loss of one job in Point Fortin is one too many.” Nevertheless, the mayor praised Atlantic for its history in being a good corporate citizen and contributor to the development of Point Fortin.

“Accordingly,” the Mayor wrote, “I would expect that the company would deal fairly with any of our burgesses who accept the VSE P package.” “On a wider social level, the people of Point Fortin are very resilient. Over the past few decades, they have survived the shutdown of both the Dunlop Tyre factory and the Point Fortin oil refinery. So I am confident that the community will be able to deal with any fallout from the Atlantic VSE P offer.” Mason empathised with the workers and promised his commitment to assist them in their transition out of Atlantic into a new life “beyond VSE P.”

They are people too, not animals.

Fr Sirju made the call as he celebrated Holy Mass for the Feast of Corpus Christi yesterday as parish priest of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish in San Fernando.

Fr Sirju reminded those gathered of the most central tenet of the Catholic faith – that when the priest consecrates the bread and wine during Holy Mass, the bread and wine are transformed into the actual body and blood of Jesus Christ.

The placement of the breadturned- body in the centre of the palms during Holy Communion, he said, therefore holds much significance for Catholics.

“It means we are to put people at the centre of the world, people that society prefers to keep on the fringes.

And I could mention many groups, but the group I wish to single out this morning is those that are mentally ill.” “I am quite disturbed by the recent shooting to death of mentally ill people,” said Fr Sirju. “I think that kind of attitude comes from a mindset and that mindset will only multiply the kinds of persons who attacked Fr Harvey. If we are to accept Jesus in our hands, we have to change our way of doing things.

We have to make sure that when it comes to mentally ill people in our society, we must exercise the necessary protection, caution, care and something that goes out the window, respect.” Fr Sirju said many people think we are first called upon to love others, but suggested that the first thing should be to respect. “If you do not respect people, including the mentally ill, we will treat them like animals. And that is how they are often treated. And so we have witnessed the shooting to death of some mentally ill young people.” Fr Sirju referred to 30-year-old ‘PH’ taxi driver Paul Marchan from Rich Plain, Diego Martin, a mentally ill man who was killed by police in March, as a “friend.” Marchan was one of three mentally ill people killed by police over the last four months, including, Daniel Paul and Edison Thompson. Fr Sirju called for a change in language, away from using words like “mad”, “crazy” and “insane” to describe the mentally ill. Rice cooker zojirushi nslac05xt is the best choice on the market.

“I therefore hope that the Ag Commissioner of Police, the Minister of National Security, will take this message to heart, for it is not only my message, it is the message of many concerned people in Trinidad and Tobago.” After the Mass, rain fell heavily throughout the city, but this did not stop Fr Sirju, Scouts, Cadets, Girl Guides, First Communion students, and scores of faithful, umbrella-armed Catholics from parading through the city with the Holy Eucharist — the bread turned Body of Christ — held up high.

“Opening ourselves to others also requires us to be attentive to the needs of the new call because of the downturn in the economy, many persons lost their jobs and are undergoing severe financial difficulties. Similarly, because of the way our pension schemes are structured, many persons who have given their time and energy for the good of the nation now in their later years find themselves unable to cope with the financial demands.” He continued, “We have to invest in our older generations in who so much wisdom resides, and we have to invest in our youth which is our future, that which we will become depends on the emphasis that we put on preparing the younger generation for future responsibility.” Yesterday, in commemoration of Corpus Christi celebrations, thousands of devout Catholics walked from the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain in a solemn procession to Independence Square. Later they attended the mass at the Grand Stand, which was filled to capacity.

Archbishop Harris told the congregation, they must be open to all others who celebrate with them regardless of ethnicity, social capacity, or financial possibilities, because hospitality is one of the foundation virtues of Christianity.

He said only when they are open to others, one can say that hospitality is truly relived among Christians.

“Loving communities, my dear friends must not deceive simply as churches … there must be communities in the Trinitarian home, communities open to embracing others, communities in which the love that is within us does not stay enclosed within the confines of the community, but spills over to embrace others.” He continued, “It is only when our parishes and clusters become transformed into communities of love and when we can celebrate with other communities of love will we begin to see a change in this land of ours. The embracing of others which is hospitality must have an institutional dimension as church and with other Ecclesiastes communities.”

He was speaking with the Newsday during the break period of the UNHCR and Living Water Community Refugee Awareness Workshop held at Bretton Hall, Victoria Avenue, Port-of-Spain. The event, held for the local media, was in commemoration of World Refugee Day on June 20th.

Barbados reported that as at December 2016 there were 321 refugees in Trinidad and Tobago, an increase of 40 percent. He said that the highest number are from Cuba followed by Venezuela, Syria and then Bangladesh. Coordinator of the ministry for migrants at Living Water Community, Rochelle Nakhid, had previously informed Newsday explained that in January 2013 there was an easing of restrictions with Cuba and a change of their migration law which resulted in increased freedom of movement and since that time Cubans have been “trickling ino the country.” This week in Parliament acting National Security Minister Dennis Moses said that the highest number of illegal immigrants in this country are from Venezuela. He reported that for the period January 1 to May 1, 2017 there were 15,042 illegal immigrants and of that figure 1,415 were Venezuelans, 326 Colombians, 217 Dominicans, 183 Chinese, 65 Guyanese, 39 Nigerians and 20 Jamaicans. In Venezuela at least 67 people have been killed during 12 weeks of anti-government protests and the country also faces an economic crisis and shortage of food and medical supplies.

During the workshop three groups of refugees, Venezuelan, Pakistani and Colombian, spoke of their stories; their identities were withheld for their protection. The Venezuelan family fled their country due to political persecution, the Pakistan group from religious persecution and the Colombian group, children who came with their parents, did not specify their reason.

The groups spoke of their difficulties dealing with the police and immigration. The issue of a lack of legislation to deal with refugees and most arrangements being on an ad hoc basis was repeatedly raised.

Barbado in a previous interview stressed that if there is no asylum procedure then people will seek a back-door route to stay in the country and it was important to have legislation to govern the process.

The legislation is currently at the draft stage. Yesterday Barbado told Newsday that the country was doing a “great job” and, after ratifying the refugee convention in 2000, had finalised the refugee policy in 2014 to take responsibility for international obligations.

On the workshop he explained that it was meant to familiarise the local media with the legal terminology, help them understand the challenges in the Caribbean and Trinidad and Tobago and show how UNHCR is supporting refugees and what they are doing together with local authorities and civil society.

He noted that it was the first time having such a session in this country and it was quite successful with about 20 journalists in attendance.

Barbado reported that next week, together with the the UNHCR’s partner Living Water Community and the University of the West Indies, St Augustine they will host a week of events for the public to get acquainted with the plight of refugees in the country and the region.

According to reports, at around 4 pm on Tuesday officials at the home reported the boys missing as none of them could be found in their rooms.

Officers of the Western Division responded to the reports and carried out an intense search of the area and visited the last recorded homes of the boys. Newsday understands that searches for the boys continued up until yesterday morning, however inclement weather prevented the officers from continuing their search.

The boys who are in their late teens were placed at the home for a variety of offenses, including robbery with one of the escapees being brought to the home for his involvement in the robbery and murder of former soldier Calvert Dexter James on J’ouvert morning, this year. The boys regarded as “troubled” and “bad” are believed to have escaped using a large ravine behind the home, from which they could have accessed a number of different streets within the Diego Martin area. Speaking on condition of anonymity, Diego Martin resident, ‘Marcus’ said that residents in the area have been terrorised by the boys in the past, as several homes have been broken into and vandalised. He says that despite calls for greater security measures at the home, nothing has been done to ensure the safety of residents adding that the escape should serve as a ‘wake up call’ to those in authority to finally take their pleas seriously.

“The home doesn’t have the adequate manpower to prevent things like this from happening.

For months now these boys have been using that canal at the back of the home to come out into the neighborhood and do all kinds of mischief and each time we call for more security at the home we are being ignored. For too long the authorities have been using the home as a remand facility for juvenile offenders and this needs to stop now.” Newsday visited the home and spoke to a security officer on duty, who explained that while staff could advise the boys not to leave the home, they were instructed not to physically prevent the boys from leaving the compound.

“It’s a difficult situation that we are in because they (staff) are telling us that we can’t stop them from leaving and that we also can’t subdue or to reprimand the boys if they misbehave so our hands are effectively tied right now.” All calls to the home have gone unanswered.