In a joint statement, published in today’s newspapers, both organisations said they were shocked to learn via the media, of this decision.

On September 8, Education Minister Anthony Garcia at a press conference, announced the change would take effect in the 2018 to 2019 academic year.

He said Cabinet made the decision as it was more feasible and cost effective. In their statement, the two associations said it was “incomprehensible” that the Ministry of Education would make such a major decision affecting the education system without consulting with them.

They said they were “flabbergasted” by the reasons cited by the ministry for the change.

These reasons were that SE A papers can now be marked during the two weeks Easter vacation period, there would be no need to temporarily close secondary schools that are being used and marking centres and teachers selected as markers by CXC would not be required to be away from classes.

In a poll of their membership conducted by TTUTA, they found that more than 80 per cent of the respondents believed that students benefited from the extra time the May date afforded them.

Teachers pointed out that they welcomed the extra time to better prepare t heir students for SE A.

“We firmly believe that when such significant decisions are to be made, the major stakeholders should be meaningfully consulted.

We are also of the view that, in this case, the students’ best interest should not be sacrificed for expediency,” they said.

The organisations called on the Ministry of Education to immediately engage with them on the issue with a view to arrive at solutions to “this imbroglio.

If the Ministry of Education views both organisations as major stakeholders then it would no nothing less.” Efforts to reach Minister Garcia for a comment yesterday proved futile.

Organisations are increasingly looking at their business practices; their operations, products and services. Not only do they receive numerous calls for change from organisations such as Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, or groups of ‘eco-warriors’, but from the United Nations, CARICOM, the European Union, to name a few. Recognition that our current way of life poses a threat to us and our planet, and this has led to global agreements on action to prevent future environmental damage. Such agreements include the Montreal Protocol, the Rio Declaration, and the Kyoto Protocol.

Environmental risks cannot be ignored, they are now as much a part of running a successful business as product design, marketing, and sound financial management. Poor environmental behaviour will have an impact on the business and its finances. Punishment includes fines, increased liability to environmental taxes, loss in value of land, destruction of brand values, loss of sales, consumer boycotts, an inability to secure finance, loss of insurance cover, contingent liabilities, law suits, and damage to corporate image.

Accounting is affected by environmental pressures on the business. Initially, there are pressures felt in external reporting, but environmental issues cannot be dealt with solely through this disclosure. Environmental issues need to be managed before they can be reported on, and this requires changes to management accounting systems.

Many businesses overestimate the cost and underestimate the benefits of improving environmental practices. Management accounting techniques can distort and misrepresent environmental issues, leading to managers making decisions that are bad for businesses and bad for the environment.

This leads to a failure to enhance customer value, while increasing the risk profile of investments and other decisions with long-term consequences.

For management accounting to contribute to improving the environmental performance of organisations, then it has to change. Environmental Management Accounting (EMA) is an attempt to integrate best management accounting thinking and practice with best environmental management thinking and practice.

Businesses in the Caribbean have had to adjust to government polices to address environmental concerns. In a bid to continue to position itself as one of the world’s most green-focused countries, Guyana banned the importation and use of Styrofoam earlier this year. Styrofoam waste makes up about 2-5 per cent of the waste stream in Guyana, primarily used in the food service industry.

Guyana’s Department of Natural Resources and the Environment has already begun implementing serious measures to address waste management and promote biodegradable materials.

Most recently, cosmetics giants have been in the spotlight as governments in the US and UK move towards banning the use of microbeads in their products. Microbeads are tiny pieces of plastic that have been used to remove dry cells from the surface of skin. However studies have found that they are tiny enough to pass through water filtration plants and therefore end up in lakes and rivers. This contributes to the growing amount of plastic waste in the ocean that is entering the food chain and harming fish and other marine life.

With mounting criticism of their uses in their products, many brands have begun phasing out their use in response despite an official ban not being in place (yet). L’Oreal has said it will be looking for natural alternatives (for example mineral particles, fruit seeds) that can provide the same effectiveness and safety as before which of course will impact on their product innovations.

The pursuit of environmental quality management via the development of an Environmental Management System (EMS) can only be achieved if ‘environmental audit’ is a concomitant feature of such a system. In this respect the organisation becomes self-regulating and the undertaking of environmental audits on a regular basis provides the platform for organisations to adopt a self-critical and analytical posture as part of their routine organisational management processes. Organisations should be striving to achieve an integrated environmental strategy underpinned by the same type of culture that is required for the successful operation of a programme of total quality management (TQM).

EMS and TQM share the focus upon ‘continuous improvement’ and the pursuit of excellence. Such organisations pursue objectives that may include zero complaints, zero spills, zero pollution, zero waste and zero accidents. Information systems need to be able to support such environmental objectives via the provision of feedback – on the success or otherwise – of the organisational efforts in achieving such objectives. This approach to environmental quality management requires the development of environmental performance measures and indicators that will enable a comprehensive review of environmental performance to be undertaken. Many – if not all – total quality management accounting techniques can be modified and effectively adopted to help manage environmental issues.

Recently, Education Minister Anthony Garcia said the Government Assistance with Tuition Expenses (GATE) subsidy will only apply to courses accredited by ACTT, which must be local courses, not those awarded by foreign universities.

ROYTEC offers its own local courses, plus courses awarded by Canada’s University of New Brunswick (UNB).

Augustus said, “Because we are accredited, our local programmes will continue to be funded by GATE but our international programmes are not.” She named the non- GATE UNB courses as Bachelors in Business, Bachelors in Education and Masters in Education, plus a new Masters in Business Psychology that was never funded.

Asked if ROYTEC has received its State funding, she said it did.

She confirmed a dive in enrolment for UNB courses this year compared to last, saying, “We have had a 75 per cent drop in enrolment.” Students must now pay the full cost of the programme, Augustus said, blaming less enrollment for UNB courses to the withdrawal of GATE.

ROYEC’s local courses are okay, she said.

Banks and credit unions are offering unsecured loans to UNB students, she said, and ROYTEC has a payment plan. She said it is still hard for some students, hence the fall off.

“I think they should be GATE-funded because they are strong programmes, they are robust and New Brunswick is a well-recognised institution and accredited in Canada.

According to TT EITI Steering Committee chairman Victor Hart, this was the reason why TTEITI reports did not expose the alleged production volumes and payment discrepancies which are central to the fake oil scandal, involving the A&V and State oil company Petrotrin .

Hart said this does not mean that the EITI reporting system failed with respect to the fake oil scandal. He said what this underscores is the importance for the reporting requirements of all energy companies to proposed EITI legislation, be mandatory .

Hart explained that because EITI is a voluntary initiative, “companies cannot be forced to participate.” Hart also said problems regarding the accuracy of production figures provided by the Energy Ministry had surfaced during the tenure of the former People’s Partnership (PP) government .

He said these problems were brought to the PP’s attention and assurances were given that they would be corrected .

He disclosed that this year, TTEITI met on two occasions with all of Petrotrin’s Lease and Farm Out Operators (LOFOs), including A&V..

Compare the mudslides in the Maracas Valley and other outlying areas to mudslides in other countries that swallow up entire towns.

Compare the flooding in my area of TT to the recent Hurricane Harvey disaster in Texas.

Consider the heartaches caused as a result of collapses like Clico and the Hindu Credit Union.

Compare that to the fortunes lost to the ponzi schemes perpetrated by the Bernie Madoffs of this world.

Let me assure you that TT can boast of having the most honest businessmen, and the most sincere politicians ever to assume office. And God is a Trini.

Our children can walk the streets safe in the knowledge that they won’t be harmed or kidnapped. Compare this to the hundreds of innocent young girls snatched by Boko Haram in Nigeria.

Our mothers and wives can go to sleep at night without fear of having their throats slit or of being raped. God is a Trini.

Our criminals only shoot each other; they have a high regard for the welfare of innocent bystanders.

Murders may be up, but serious crimes are way down.

Scotland Yard and the FBI are envious of our law enforcement’s high detection and conviction rates.

Now don’t get me wrong, we may have a few problems but we are so blessed that for two days each year our women can dance naked in the streets without fear.

God is a Trini. To the bone. But I tell you this, if ever He decides to migrate I am leaving the very same day. I think I will go to Canada and sing calypso. Bless you all.

TYRONE EVANS Belmont

“They would have put the dreams for the future of their children in their school bags. As a result of the effects of the hurricane, children would now be without books and bags.” The ESC through its Special School Supplies Hurricane Appeal it will seek to help to bring some hope to those families.

The school supplies campaign will collect and send school supplies to all school age children in need as a result of the hurricanes.

ESC estimated that throughout the region there could be between 20,000 to 30,000 children who may be in need. ESC said that it will start with those most in need and is calling on families in Trinidad and Tobago to provide school supplies even for just one child who has been affected.

ESC said that Initially it would like to meet the needs of at least the children in Barbuda (approximately 200-300) whose homes were completely devastated; those in the BVI, particularly from Tortola that have also suffered devastation, approximately 6,000 to 7,000.

For the drive three collection points have been established: for Port of Spain and environs school supplies, including copy books, note books for primary and secondary school children, pens, pencils, school bags, tools for mathematics and science subjects and art and music supplies can be left at the Emancipation House, 5B Bergerac Road, Maraval; in the South at Southern African Book Store, St George Building #6 Johnstone Street, San Fernando next to Harry the Barber; and for those along the East West Corridor, at the Moyo School of Excellence #10 2nd Street West, Montague Avenue, Trinicity.

ESC said that donations must meet the shipment of goods headed off to the hurricane victims in the Eastern Caribbean this weekend and all donations should be made by tomorrow at 4.30 pm.

For further information contact the ESC at 628-5008, Facebook – Emancipation Support Committee- ESC or at info.emancipation@ esctt.org.

Second-placed Connection finished 2-0 winners in the second game of a double-header at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva to keep one point adrift of leaders North East Stars who maintained their stay at the summit with a 2-0 win over 10-men Club Sando, ending the Oranges’ eight-game unbeaten streak in all competitions.

John’s World Cup 2006 teammate Densill Theobald and former Central forward Rundell Winchester scored on either side of the break for a star-studded North East side against hosts Sando, who had midfielder Jay-son Joseph sent off with 14 minutes left. In the second game of the double-header, Neil Benjamin snatched his eighth league goal of the 2017 season and, Marcus Joseph, his sixth, on either side of the break and the Connection duo continue to lead the league scoring chart this term.

But matches previously scheduled for Tuesday in Point Fortin and Mucurapo were not played due to the untimely death of rising referee Kyle Carabon who was murdered in Tableland on Monday.

The Pro League cancelled the Point Fortin Civic-Morvant Caledonia United fixture at the Mahaica Oval in which Carabon, an assistant referee, was set to officiate at, while refereeing officials assigned to the Police FC-San Juan Jabloteh fixture at the Hasely Crawford Stadium Training Field didn’t show up in solidarity of their murdered comrade.

Play, however, was not stopped at the Couva venue with the assistance of central zone referees and Theobald celebrated his debut goal in Stars colours on the halfhour mark.

The ex-Morvant Caledonia star smashed a free kick beyond Sando goalkeeper Kelvin Henry from the top of the box after referee Michael Mohammed spotted a tug on the midfielder by defender Trevin Latapy.

Henry brilliantly avoided another three minutes into the second half, pulling off a one-handed save to his right to put behind a low effort from Winchester who glided across the Sando penalty area with ease before letting off the solo attempt.

But another blistering run and powerful finish into the roof of the net by Winchester, finally put the Trinidad and Tobago international on the score sheet on the hour mark for a 2-0 North East Stars cushion.

With his side down two goals, Sando coach Angus Eve responded by tossing in centre-back Josiah Trimmingham, who scored on debut in a 2-1 win over NFA side Cultural Roots in the FA Trophy Round of 64 last weekend, and attacker Adan Noel at the expense of defensive midfielder Jarod London and forward Keron Cornwall.

But Stars coach Derek King countered the move with the introduction of wingers Anslem “Worm” Jackson and Qian Grosvenor who both scored on their North East debut over the weekend in a 5-1 FA Trophy First Round win over Super League side Siparia Spurs.

Sando, who saw efforts from Cornwall and Nicholas Thomas, on the rebound, cleared off the line by Winchester and defender Yohance Marshall respectively early in the game, were reduced to 10 men when Jay-son Joseph, who went into Mohammed’s book midway in the first half for a challenge on Elton John, was shown his second yellow for a sliding challenge on Winchester in the 76th.

In the second game of the night Benjamin gave Connection the lead on 34 minutes against the three-time defending champions Central after running onto a low cross from the left by Jameel Antoine to beat the Couva Sharks’ goalie Kern Caesar.

Central, a shadow of their historic three-peat League-winning side of last season, had an excellent chance to level the scores in the 56th minute but Jason Marcano struck the crossbar from the goalmouth off a right side Kaydion Gabriel cross.

Central were made to pay less than a minute later when Marcus Joseph, fresh off a hat-trick in a 12-0 win over Tamana United in the FA Trophy last weekend, drilled a left-footed shot past Caesar and into the far right bottom corner.

Stern John also exercised his recently upgraded role as player/ coach, coming out of retirement for the first in almost two years.

After almost 12 years in England, John represented North East Stars in the 2011/12 Pro League season then lower league sides WASA and Saddle Hill Hotspur before hanging up his boots in 2015.

Two weeks ago John, TT ’s record international top scorer with 70 international goals, suddenly found himself moving from assistant coach to coach after League and Caribbean Club Championship- winning coach Dale Saunders joined the exodus of players and staff to depart Couva Sharks this season.

But John, the ex-Sunderland, Birmingham and MLS’s Columbus Crew star, who is also the Trinidad and Tobago men’s team assistant coach, had no touch of the ball in his cameo of the final 10 minutes after replacing Shem Clauzel, a midfielder 22 years his junior. Central will return to action against North East Stars from 8 pm tomorrow in another mouth-watering double-header at the Ato Boldon Stadium with Defence Force taking on San Juan Jabloteh from 6pm.

On Saturday, W Connection will host Point Fortin Civic from 4 pm at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella and simultaneously, at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Morvant Caledonia United are against Police FC.

The weekend fixtures will conclude on Sunday when MIC-IT St Ann’s Rangers welcome Club Sando from 4 pm at St. Augustine Senior Secondary School Ground.

Speaking with Newsday on Tuesday following the formal opening of the law term of the Industrial Court on St Vincent Street, Port of Spain, Roget blasted Rowley and the Government as “deceitful and deceptive” and reeking of “dishonesty and deception”. Roget was upset that the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) had issued a statement denying his claim that a meeting between JTUM and Rowley on September 13, 2017, succeeded in averting further mass retrenchment which the Government had planned. The OPM statement said the Government had repeatedly assured the trade union movement it had no plans for any massive retrenchment of public sector workers, but the trade unions continued to insist that this was the case, asking for a moratorium on retrenchment which the Government had no plans to carry out. The statement added that Government was “very disappointed that its efforts at engagement with labour, intending to build trust and cooperation in the national interest, can be so easily undermined by self-serving and misleading representation of the facts.” Roget said that Government had “raised a proverbial ant’s nest and we are going to deal with them in a different way going forward because of the lack of trust and so on.” He said “if anyone had breached trust it was the Prime Minister.” He said the OPM statement was intended as a distraction from the scandal at the State oil company, Petrotrin, in which a contractor, A & V Drilling, is alleged to have defrauded the company of some $100 million by overstating the amount of oil the company delivered to the company. Roget said the people involved are known friends of senior members of the Government and accused Rowley of acting just like the previous government – making use of distraction. He said Rowley’s talk about letting the guilty face justice and that neither the party nor the Government will protect the guilty was an attempt to distance the Government from the scandal.

“Everybody else guilty but they are so pious and sanctimonious, push everything away from them.” He claimed Government recently appointed to the Petrotrin board someone who had worked as a manager at Petrotrin and left to go work with a lease operator. Roget declined to name the manager involved but said the union stoutly objected and the person was eventually removed.

“We had to raise hell to get him off because we were saying ‘how could you put someone who worked with a lease operator on the board of Petrotrin?’ And now you’re playing pious and sanctimonious and you want to push everything away.” According to Roget, “ When Petrotrin finish with a well, nobody must be able to activate that, but you have corrupt people in the Petrotrin management who write off lucrative wells, give them to the lease operator and then his is a success story the next day going forward.” He said while the Prime Minister had said he was not in Cabinet at the time the lease operatorship was awarded to A & V Drilling, the Minister of Energy, Franklin Khan, in the Senate, recently praised A & V Drilling for its oil production at a time when the union was calling for an end to the lease and farmout system because it provided an opportunity for corruption. At a recent news conference, Khan said he praised the company based on the information given to him by Petrotrin.

Approximately 80 people comprising of staff members, family and friends from these organisations, alongside hundreds of other local enthusiasts (at different locations) and millions throughout the globe, helped promote ocean conservation on this day.

Vice president of marketing at TSTT , Camille Campbell, commended those who came out in their numbers to assist in the ICC activity.

Brand ambassador, Dwayne Bravo, was on hand to support the beach clean-up following his hectic but victorious Trinbago Knight Riders Caribbean Premier League T20 campaign.

“Both locals and tourists come to this beach and it’s good to see that bmobile has taken the lead when it comes to the upliftment of the country. For me personally, I saw it fit to come and support these volunteers, who took time out to help make this country a cleaner place, for all of us to enjoy. I’m also happy to see many kids out here today assisting in this effort to preserve our environment,” he stated.

The ICC initiative, held annually on the third Saturday in September, was coordinated on a worldwide scale by Ocean Conservancy Office of Pollution Prevention and Monitoring, and presented—in its 13th year locally— through the Caribbean Network for Integrated Rural Development (CNIRD)

Confirmation of the date came today from the Information Division, Ministry of Public Administration and Communications.

“President Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona in accordance with the provisions of the Public Holidays and Festivals Act, has appointed Wednesday October 18, as the date of the public holiday in celebration of the festival of Divali.” This will be the second public holiday in October, coming five days after the one-off holiday granted to the First Peoples of Trinidad and Tobago on Friday, October 13.