Not even a diamond, nor a teeny teddy bear

But what I would like to see more of this time

Is goodwill to all men and kindnesssublime

Not in groceries and malls the rabid mad rushing

With towering trolleys chockful ofmuch shopping

The glittering glow of ornaments and lights

Can only fill our senses with empty delight

So please spare a thought for the frail and the fragile

The poor widow, the orphan, the sick and the servile

The indigent, the vagrant, the hungry, the old

Let’s put something substantial in their empty bowls

Only then will we feel the true spirit of Christmas

When we all put the needy in our hearts first

The turkey, ham and fruitcake will sate us, but that

Will never put happiness in our hearts

Eva David-Swain

Sangre Grande

Education Minister, Anthony Garcia, announced this “good news” during a press conference at the ministry’s St Vincent Street, Port-of-Spain head office yesterday afternoon. “The information that comes directly to me in the form of requests for extended suspension, those requests have been few and far between whereas…previously (there would be) about 40 to 50 requests per month. (Now), if I get two or three requests per month, it says a lot.” Another reason for the “great and a substantial reduction in the incidents of violence and indiscipline in our school,” Garcia explained, was the establishment of learning enhancement centres (LEC) for students who display “deviant behaviour”.

“We had personnel from the Student Support Services Division do the assessment and when those students returned to the (regular school) system, they returned with positive attributes __ they have not been engaging in the type of violence and indiscipline that they were engaged in previously.” Regarding a fight involving female students of El Dorado West Secondary School; a viral video circulated in late November showing a group of girls beating up a female student, Garcia said the parents of those students have agreed that their children must face the consequence of their actions.

“The UNC has never said that it is not going to support FATCA legislation,” Rambachan said.

“Far from it. What the UNC has been asking for is a properly constituted Joint Select Committee which would be able to get expert persons to provide the best advice on what is a financial matter and to which there are no experts in the Parliament,” Rambachan said.

He added: “Our position has been very consistent and very, very clear __ we are going to support the legislation provided we get the opportunity to bring both Houses of Parliament into a joint select committee and deal with the matter there.” Rambachan said the ruling PNM administration has resorted to calling Opposition parliamentarians derogatory names and not having a sense of patriotism regarding the Bill.

“It is very unfortunate the attempt that is being made by the PNM to paint the United National Congress as some unpatriotic group of persons but our patriotism is demonstrated by the position we are taking in respect to legislation that infringes upon the constitutional rights of people,” he said.

The decision not to conduct the NAT next year was announced by Chief Education Officer (CEO) in the Ministry of Education (MoE), Harrilal Seecharan, during a press conference yesterday about the recommendations coming out of the Education Ministry’s February 2016 National Consultation on Education.

“There were issues raised with respect to our NAT and the concern about the use of the test for ‘high stakes’ purposes; influencing the way teaching and learning was taking place. With respect to the National Test, we have taken the decision in the ministry to not go ahead with the NAT in 2017.” “What we are currently doing is reviewing the NAT, to place greater emphasis on assessment for learning – it no longer will have that role of comparing schools and students.

We’reg going to focus on using the data to improve teaching and learning.” At the ministry’s head office, St Vincent Street, Port-of-Spain, Seecharan said “Cabinet has noted the report on the consultation and requested that we go ahead in preparing a White Paper which will be laid before Parliament.” Asked by Newsday what was the deadline by which to do so, Education Minister Anthony Garcia, said “Cabinet has given the MoE three months to complete its work where this is concerned.” To be exact, the MoE has until the end of March 2017 to lay its White Paper in Parliament.

.Public Relations Officer of the Association, Burton Hill, yesterday accused Hinds of abusing his parliamentary privileges and power.

Hinds is the Member of Parliament for Laventille West as well as the Minister of Public Utilities.

“We are of the view that the one hour, 50 minutes and 49 seconds used by chairman Hinds, could have been used and should have been used to focus on the jail break on July 24 , 2015, which was a national issue. Rather, he chose to abuse his parliamentary privileges and power,” charged Hill.

During last week’s JSC meeting, Hinds made reference to a prison officer, charged with murder, being granted access to services outside of the prison.

He had added that no consideration was given to the possibility of the victim’s family at a banking institution.

He had also questioned the Prison Service at length about one of his constituents __ Jerome Henry-who was in custody charged with the wilful neglect of his (Henry’s) son who drowned in a drain at Belmont.

“Jerome Henry was allowed to visit and view the body of his deceased son,” said Hill.

“After having the opportunity to view the body, he was so distraught that he could not walk nor stand.

Minister Hinds failed to put that on the public record.” Hill continued that instead Hinds “misrepresented the facts” and highlighted that the officers “hurriedly” asked the inmate to leave the funeral parlour, focusing on their own safety rather than the inmate’s grief. Hill insisted that such claim was “further from the truth”.

The case comes up for hearing today before Justice Frank Seepersad in the San Fernando High Court. The lawsuit was filed by Junior Sammy, Junior Sammy Contractors Limited, Jusamco Pavers Limited and Sammy Multilift Services, through Senior Counsel Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj.

They are seeking an injunction against More FM Limited formerly known as More FM 104.7, Andy Williams and Lennox Smith, from broadcasting certain alleged defamatory words which were broadcast on November 29.

According to documents filed in the High Court, the claimants are contending that certain broadcasts that were made, alleged that they were corrupt, incompetent and that their companies road works were of questionable quality.

The claimants are seeking compensation for libel and an injunction restraining the defendants from making libellous statements. Appearing along with Maharaj is attorney Ronnie Bissessar

The meeting took place at the Ministry’s Head Office in Port-of- Spain and was held with the intention of furthering collaboration with the Member States of EU in the field of econom ic diplomacy aimed at promoting trade, investment and strengthening the relationship between the private sector in Trinidad and Tobago and the EU.

The Minister underscored the importance of the manufacturing sector and outlined the areas targeted for diversification of the economy – agriculture including cocoa, tourism, ICT, financial services, maritime and creative industries. In respect of the maritime and creative industries for which the Ministry has direct responsibility, the Minister mentioned the establishment of the Standing Committee for the Development of the Maritime Sector with a focus, inter alia, on ship repair and dry docking, bunkering, cold stacking, transhipment, yachting and marina development in both Trinidad and Tobago.

“With respect to the creative industries, the Government is committed to creating an environment to grow and develop the film, music and fashion industries, as such, plans are currently being developed for the film and music industries which will map the direction of these industries for the next five years, while the plan for the fashion industry is currently being implemented.” The EU representatives welcomed the opportunity to cooperate with Trinidad and Tobago to further the development of the sectors highlighted. Discussions were also centered on ways of improving trade between Trinidad and Tobago and EU Member States in the context of the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) as it relates to market access for goods as well as services. Minster Gopee- Scoon referred to Trinidad and Tobago’s initiatives with respect to export development and market penetration and targeted markets of interest including the diaspora markets such as the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada.

Some of the key issues arising from the recent Sixth Meeting of the CARIFORUM-EU Trade and Development Committee related to the implementation of the EPA were highlighted such as enhancing the trade in services, funding under the European Development Programmes (EDF) for EPA implementation, agriculture and fishing, and the negotiations aimed at an agreement on the protection of geographical indications which are expected to conclude in mid-2017.

Minister Gopee-Scoon also informed the delegation of the completion of the first phase of the Tamana InTech Park where there are currently 20 lots available for investment.

The areas of focus for the park are: ICT, Innovation, Animation and High Value Manufacturing.

The meeting ended with both parties acknowledging the valuable exchange of views and the avenues identified for further cooperation towards increased trade and investment.

The EU delegation comprised five (5) European Heads of Mission accredited to Trinidad and Tobago (including United Kingdom, France, Germany, The Netherlands, and Spain); the Regional Trade Affairs Manager and the Trade Officer from the EU Delegation to Barbados; the Project Officer; a Junior EU Professional; and the Head of the European Business Chamber in Trinidad and Tobago

“We are tired, we are fed up, we are taking a stand,” said African Methodist Episcopalian Church’s Yvette Smart Paul in a group prayer. She prayed, “Lord help us put the scourge of violence behind us.” Network of Women’s NGOs’ Hazel Brown lamented that for too long people cry and scream at individual deaths but no one is tackling the root cause of violence. She said violence is a learned behaviour, which in turn can be unlearned.

Marcus Kissoon of the Organization for Abused and Battered Individuals (OABI) blamed gender violence on “toxic masculinity and female inequality”. Adeeta Kissoon told Newsday, “I’ve grown really tired of the crime situation. Crime against young women and children is taking a toll on me. If I continue speaking I’ll cry. You’d hear of one murder here and another there, but now people are being killed in groups.” She empathised with Banfield’s parents, saying, “ You can’t ever get over a child’s death.

It’s incurable”. Sherna Alexander Benjamin of the Victim Advocacy Service Centre Office (VASCO) told the gathering that without activism victims’ names will be forgotten, as she vowed to support an upcoming vigil in Penal. One women said Banfield could have been her or even her daughter.

“None of the past murders are any less than Shannon, but I think the nation has reached its breaking point,” she surmised. “Everyone of us must do our part, no matter how small. In our schools no effort is too small. We have to take a stand.

We are frustrated and fed up and need to take back our nation.”

Delivering Christmas greetings on behalf of the Government in the House on Monday, Smith said he was sad about how the Opposition chose not to participate in passing such an important piece of legislation.

He said since being elected to office las September, the People’s National Movement (PNM) has been advancing its “let’s do this together” mantra in every thing it does.

Smith wished the population a Merry Christmas and said Government will continue to work with all stakeholders, “inclusive of the Opposition”, in the country’s interest in 2017.

Deputy Speaker Esmond Forde delivered Christmas greetings on behalf of Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George who is overseas on parliamentary business.

No Christmas greeting were delivered by the Opposition due to the absence of their MPs from the sitting.

The House next sits on January 6, 2017 at 1.30 pm to resume deliberations on the bill.

In the latter game on Tuesday, Police and Ma Pau Stars battled to an entertaining 4-4 draw.

Defence Force moved up to sixth place (with a tally of 13 points) with an easy win over Rangers, courtesy of goals from Jorsling (23rd minute) and Arcia (51st).

There were goals aplenty in the Police-Stars game, one of the more high-scoring affairs this season.

Kaaron Foster gave Police a fourth minute lead, lobbing goalkeeper Glenroy Samuel with a left-footed effort after a meek challenge by Stars’ captain Anthony Wolfe.

But Stars equalised a minute later, as forward Kerry Baptiste took a pass from fellow veteran Hayden Tinto and teed up Jerrel Britto who directed his right-footed shot beyond the reach of goalie Adrian Foncette.

Britto played his part in Stars’ second goal, as he was fouled, in the penalty box by defender Ryan O’Neil, in the 21st minute.

And Baptiste was on hand to sent Foncette the wrong way, to his right, with the spot-kick.

Another defensive lapse, in the 34th, resulted in Police’s leveller, with Kareem Freitas’ ball from the left going across the face of goal and Elijah Belgrave took the loose ball and drilled home a left-footed effort.

The scoresheet remained untouched until the 72nd minute when Police reclaimed the lead.

Foster’s hopeful ball from the back was pursued by Christon Thomas who outsprinted Wolfe and nudged his right-footed shot into the open net, as Samuel came out the penalty box in vain.

After a Stars corner was partially cleared, in the 75th minute, Tinto, from the left, sent in a cross which was headed by Britto to the path of Elton John who swivelled and shot home from close range.

Samuel was having a nightmare in the back and he had to take some blame for Police’s fourth goal. In the 78th, he was slow to react to a shocking back pass from Neil Mitchell and Thomas pounced on the opportunity to get around Samuel and score from a few metres out.

But the evergreen Jason Scotland had the final say, in terms of the scoring, hitting past Foncette’s left as he shook off a challenge from defender Dexter Alleyne.

Police finished the game with 10 men as right-back Jibri McDavid was shown a direct red card by referee Keilon Bacchus for a two-footed lunge, in the Stars’ penalty box, on Wolfe.

Last Friday, at Mucurapo, thirdplaced San Juan Jabloteh (19 points) defeated Club Sando 2-0 while Morvant Caledonia United drew 2-2 with Point Fortin Civic.

And, on Monday, in a top-ofthe- table contest, Central FC (28 points) beat W Connection (22 points) 2-1.

League action will continue tomorrow