Andy Paul was suspended on Friday last on the basis that he was negligent in the handling of the incident involving student Tristan Khan who was attacked, allegedly by a bully who kicked him to the ground and jumped on his elbow until it was broken.

The suspension was one of the requests made by Khan’s legal representative in their pre-action protocol letter sent to the Ministry of Education.

President of the National Primary School Principals Association Cogland Griffith said the association was “shocked” by the suspension since Education Minister Anthony Garcia had announced in the week after the incident that it was not a case of bullying but one of child play gone wrong.

“As an organisation we are not clear as to what really was the reason for Mr Paul’s suspension,” Griffith said.

“Does it mean that from now on once a child is injured at school the principal will be suspended or disciplined? The suspension of Mr Paul can give the public the impression that the principal was responsible for the injuries sustained by the student. We are calling for the TSC to give a clear understanding as to the reason why Mr Paul was suspended and to arrive at a speedy and amicable resolution to this matter in the interest of fairness and justice.” Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association president Lynsley Doodhai told Newsday Paul was suspended for acting negligently but this information has not yet been confirmed by the Education Ministry.

Douglas Bayley, the attorney representing Khan’s parents, said “We are very pleased with this.

Finally, after Mr. Ramlogan and I intervened, some sort of justice is being granted to Tristan and his family.” After the letter was sent to the Education Ministry, the ministry asked for an extension of time beyond the 28 days in order to respond.

The extension, said Bayley, will expire by the middle of the month.

Liverpool said since then she had been receiving a monthly disability grant in the sum of $1,800. But she discovered this month that the grant was terminated.

In tears, Liverpool said she went to collect her cheque from TTPOST for the month of March but left empty handed.

She told Newsday that she contancted officials at the Social Welfare office in Point Fortin and was told that her grant was discontinued.

“When they told me that I really could not believe it,” Liverpool said. “I did not know what to do.

I begged them and they told me there was nothing they could do.” Liverpool said she and her husband separated before her daughter was born.

She is also an outpatient of the psychiatric clinic at the San Fernando General Hospital and is on medication daily.

Liverpool said she is willing to work to provide for herself and her daughter but doctors have told her she is unfit to go into the workforce.

She said her daughter’s father pays maintenance in court but the money is only sufficient to purchase milk and diapers.

“How am I going to buy food for myself and pay my bills? They did not take these things into consideration.

Liverpool said she does not know who or where to turn to for help, but she is calling on the relevant authorities to investigate her matter. Efforts to contact officials at the Ministry of Social Welfare proved futile.

President Teresina Sieunarine, at yesterday’s launch of Autism Awareness Month at D’Abadie, said “Government has ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and must now pass legislation to ensure that the rights of people on the autism spectrum are protected.” Reema Carmona, wife of President Anthony Carmona, delivered the main address at the event which was observed under the theme Toward Autonomy and Self-Determination.

Sieunarine said, “There is a lack of affordable services, educational opportunity and access to qualified therapists.” Funding and other support, she said, is required to maintain ASTT’s Therapeutic and Life Skills Centre in Point Fortin and Autism Place in D’Abadie. Over 700 families are registered with the ASTT.

She said over the past two years, the society has been receiving assistance from the Ministry of Health.

Corporate sponsors, she said, include Republic Bank’s Power to Make a Difference and United Way.

Sieunarine told Newsday that the ASTT does a lot of training for parents to care for their autistic children who require between 20 to 40 hours of therapy a week.

“That is like mission impossible.

We are lacking in affordable and therapeutic care.” The United Nations estimates that about one per cent of children and young people are affected by autistic spectrum disorder (ASD).

The Mayo Clinic defines ASD as “a serious neurodevelopmental disorder that impairs a child’s ability to communicate and interact with others. It also includes restricted repetitive behaviours, interests and activities.

These issues cause significant impairment in social, occupational and other areas of functioning.” Expressing hope that during April, the media will continue to feature people with disabilities, especially people with autism and their families, she said her family was criticised in 1989 for featuring her son Kester, now 35 years old, in a newspaper article, but the family was not fazed and she appealed to other families to be proud of their children’s achievements.

Dass, who joined the Port-of- Spain City Corporation (POSCC) as an inspector on June 1, 2015, testified before Justice Eleanor Donaldson-Honeywell in a lawsuit brought against the corporation by a homeless man, who is challenging a decision to lock him and other homeless people out of Tamarind Square at nights.

Dass provided the corporation with monthly inspection reports of the public spaces to which he was assigned as a public health inspector.

He was questioned on his reports for the period July 2015 to December 2016 by Senior Counsel Christopher Hamel-Smith, who represents Hugh Bernard, who has made Tamarind Square his home.

According to Dass’ reports, it appeared that only when four of the five gates at the square were locked after a perimeter fence was erected, were there illegal structures erected by the homeless.

He also testified in his affidavit that after the square was fenced, the “homeless took over” and the square was no longer available to pedestrian use once the gates were locked. Dass also noted in his reports that some of the grassy areas of the square were blocked by the homeless and there was an accumulation of debris.

He admitted there were no toilets at the square.

During her testimony two weeks ago, chief executive officer of the POSCC Annette Stapleton-Seaforth said the corporation did not lock four of the five gates to the square but received it that way from the contractors who erected the fence. She also said the corporation will not be locking the fifth gate at Tamarind Square to restrict access to the public, including the homeless.

In her affidavit, she said the action taken to lock the four gates was to protect the public from grossly unsanitary conditions and due to health, safety and environment concerns.

She, however, could not say if keeping the four gates locked addressed the public health concerns of the corporation.

Based on Dass’ reports, the problem of garbage, urine and other bodily smells and the erection of unauthorised structures continued after the four gates were locked.

The trial continues on May 25, when lawyers are expected to return to answer any questions the judge may have based on their submissions which are to be filed in late April and May. In the lawsuit, Bernard claimed the homeless were adversely affected by the corporation’s decision to place locks on the gates was to deny them and other members of the public entry into the square.

In December of 2015, the corporation erected a fence around the perimeter of Tamarind Square, and towards the end of January, locks and chains were placed on the gates.

Four of the five gates around the square have been locked and the fifth gate has a padlock but has not yet been locked as the others.

The lawsuit contended that if this fifth gate to Tamarind Square was locked, the socially displaced will have nowhere left to go.

Bernard argued that it was unfair to him and the other homeless people that they will be denied entry into the square without any alternative arrangements being made to accommodate them.

He also sought to have the court make an order requiring the City Corporation to leave the gates open until viable alternatives are made for them and that tents and portable toilets be placed in the square.

Thus far, no one seems to have been able to answer the question.

And this Good Friday, while the tradition of eating hot cross buns, attending church, and beating bobolees will be observed, another Easter vacation tradition will unfold.

The Tobago ferry will come to a standstill.

Or at least that is the worry.

According to Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Kelvin Charles, there is nothing to fear from the recall of the MV Super-Fast Galicia. It is said the 13-year-old Galicia is the only vessel that transports cargo between Trinidad and Tobago daily. However, since the charter contract expired, the vessel has been on a month-to-month arrangement which will end, we are told, on Good Friday. Charles said the THA will treat the issue as “top priority” and will keep the public informed as the situation progresses.

“I do understand that there will be public concern,” Charles said.

“Measures are being put in place to treat with our cargo transport needs in the short term.” He said he has spoken with Minister of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan, who has indicated interim plans are being made to ship bulk cargo to the island once the vessel is removed from the route.

We agree with the call made by THA Minority Leader Watson Duke, who has urged both the central government and the THA to meet immediately and deal with the issue.

Tobago has been going this way from time immemorial. When are we going to get serious and resolve the problem of the sea and air bridges once and for all? By sea, the journey has degenerated into an epic four-hourlong expedition (previous ferries achieved the journey in about two and a half hours). By air, the service is good. However, flights are sometimes fully booked. While Caribbean Airlines Ltd (CAL) often adds extra flights to cater for seasonal demand, it is not clear if these additional resources are enough to service demand.

All of this has a negative impact on business and on tourism. How can people plan their activities when they are not sure goods will get to Tobago on time or cannot be guaranteed a flight back? Every year, Tobago is a big destination for Easter. A large number of visitors to the island come from Trinidad. There needs to be a clear plan to resolve the transportation problems between the two islands, both by air and by sea. Whether the problem is faulty engines, uneven demand patterns, or inadequate planning, a concerted effort must be made to ensure Tobago’s development and trade are no longer hindered by this problem.

Meanwhile, it is good to know Tobago is the kind of destination that could really go a long way in dealing with the economic problems the country faces. Tourism is an important industry that can grow even more if better attention is paid to management. For example, the current impasse over the location of the Tobago Jazz Experience is completely unnecessary.

It could have been avoided with proper consultation with all the relevant stakeholders, such as the Environmental Management Authority.

We hope tomorrow’s meeting will involve the appropriate scope of officials and that an adequate solution will be devised which will minimise disruption. However, we warn that a long-term fix is needed to this problem which had been allowed to run away for too long..

This was brought further to the fore in a recent circular issued by the Ministry of Education entitled Procedure for Refusal to Work. While the ministry purported to use the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) as the basis for the directives included in this circular, it chooses to omit significant portions of the Act that are critical in the decision- making process.

It is this propensity to bend reality that leads us to bring this cavalier treatment of the OSHA as it relates to workers’ well-being to the attention of the public and other workers whose rights may be infringed in the implementation of this law.

The circular specifically states, “Section 15 of the OSH Act is triggered if the employee has sufficient reasons to believe that there is serious and imminent danger to life or health.” However, it is important to note that this only part of the condition.

Indeed, this provision of the law also states, “An employee may refuse to work or do particular work where he has reason to believe that (a) there is serious and imminent danger to himself or others or unusual circumstances have arisen which are hazardous or injurious to health or life.” A comparison of what was contained in the circular in relation to the provisions of the Act leaves one to question the ministry’s intent. The procedure outlined in the circular, through the omission of the latter portion, reveals a lack of recognition that imminent danger is not the only condition arising out of unsafe working conditions; injury and long-term illnesses are other potential outcomes of continuing to work in unsafe or unhealthy conditions.

A quick search of such cases in Trinidad and Tobago and other jurisdictions will bear out the truth of this.

Moreover, there is a tendency to place the burden of proof on the shoulder of the employee. However, this is not the case. The employee simply has to “have reason to believe” that the workplace is unsafe. The issue of “sound reasons” does not arise. There is no requirement for the employee to provide evidence.

In fact the burden is on the employer to prove that the workplace is safe. This is borne out in that Act as stated in Section 6 (1) inter alia, “It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as reasonably practical, the safety, health and welfare at work of all his employees.” So, is it unreasonable or impractical to expect the employer to repair leaking sewerage plants, malfunctioning electrical systems and rotting floorboards and buildings? The ministry further ascribes to itself “powers it does not have” by seeking to define imminent danger, as well as position the principal as the one to be satisfied that these conditions exist.

It must be noted that the Act is silent on how imminent danger is to be defined and it is clear on the procedures to be followed by the employee. It is also very clear on the protections afforded the worker when he exercises his rights within the provisions of the Act.

Section 20 A states, inter alia, “No employer or person acting on behalf of an employer shall: (a) dismiss or threaten to dismiss a worker; (b) discipline or suspend or threaten to discipline or suspend a worker; or (c) impose any penalty upon a worker, or intimidate or coerce a worker.” While we recognise that the concept of employer responsibility may be relatively new to the TT context, we implore the ministry to tread with care when implementing regulations, mindful of taking all provisions into consideration in their rightful contexts.

Canada (11th world ranking) would have gone into the final as favourites over Japan (16th) because of their higher ranking but the quick movements and style of play of the Japanese would have always been a challenge.

The final started at a breakneck speed and both teams could have scored in the first quarter. In the sixth minute Canada`s goalkeeper David Carter made an excellent save off a flick shot from a penalty corner. Two minutes later, the Canadians came close to taking the lead when a flick shot from their own penalty corner came off the cross bar.

Canada had most of the possession with the Japanese counter attacking using a lot of plays on the flanks to spread the field. The intensity dropped a bit as both teams were patient and seemed to be waiting on their opponent’s next move which allowed the first half to end goalless.

The Canadians wasted no time in the second half as, straight from the touch off, they made an advanced move which resulted in a straight penalty for a foul in the box. The penalty was scored by Scott Tupper with a powerful shot passing a diving Suguru Shimmoto.

The lead only lasted four minutes as Kenta Tanaka scored his ninth goal of the tournament with a low powerful shot, coming from a right-sided cross, to get the equaliser for Japan. He was later awarded the tournament`s leading goal scorer as well as Most Valuable Player.

The Asians increased their dominance in the game and amplified the tempo in search of the lead and they were rewarded in the 40th minute when Takuro Sasaki slapped home a flick shot of penalty corner to give them a well-deserved lead.

Japan were satisfied with sitting back and absorbing the pressure while keeping a watchful eye on the clock. They even had a chance to extend the lead in the 58th minute through a straight penalty but Carter made the save to keep his team alive. The Canadians had an excellent chance to save the game in the dying seconds but the shot came off the post and went wide.

As the whistle blew for fulltime the Japanese celebrated their victory with their small contingent of supporters waving national flags.

The Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Darryl Smith and Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Comittee`s general secretary Annette Knott were present to assist in the prize-giving ceremony.

In the third/fourth place playoff, United States` goalkeeper Brandon Karess starred once again for his team to secure the bronze medal, at the expense of Russia.

He saved a straight penalty as well as four saves in the penalty shootout to give them the 2-1 penalty victory after drawing 2-2 after full-time.

After a sluggish first half the Russians wasted no time in taking the lead in the second half when Nikolay Yankun scored from a penalty corner in the 34th minute.

Karess kept his team alive by saving a straight penalty from the Russians. Ending off the third quarter veteran Pat Harris equalised through a penalty corner.

The Americans then took a 2-1 lead as Tyler Sundeen scored after some sleek passing.

The Russians made it an exciting final nine minutes as Andrey Kuraev scored in the 51st minute to tie the match 2-2.

Then, it was the Karess show as he was impressive once again in his third penalty shoot-out of the tournament by saving four out of five penalties to give the Americans victory.

Davis said top cricket teams perform at a high level consistently, something the West Indies have failed to do. Davis was disappointed with the West Indies effort saying, “That is a very poor performance.

“You might say Saturday is a good performance, but only one man performed so therefore you are talking about one man performing in every seven or eight matches and happen to win a match. They are not getting any consistent performances and that is what a good team is based on – consistency.” In the third ODI on Saturday, opener Evin Lewis slammed 91 to lead West Indies to a seven- wicket win, the only victory for West Indies in the series.

The West Indies batsmen were below par throughout the series, but Davis said the bowlers were also not up to standard.

“Our bowlers are not up to that standard. (Sunil) Narine might be the only one (at a high standard), but if you are not surrounded by players who know what they are doing, you will find that you struggle a bit.” Davis said all the West Indies bowlers struggled to find a consistent line and length, even Narine. The former West Indies batsman says West Indies T20 captain Carlos Brathwaite and Jason Holder are not international bowlers, saying Holder had promise earlier in his career but when he was given the job as ODI and Test captain it affected his development.

Davis said the West Indies bowlers made life easy for the Pakistan batsmen. “If they (Pakistan batsmen) know they are going to get two or three bad balls an over, the batsmen could play the good ball and just wait for the bad ball to come because he know that is four runs.” There were 66 dot balls during the West Indies innings in the fourth T20 on Sunday and Davis credited Pakistan for their accuracy. “The Pakistan bowling was most accurate and their fielding was very sharp, so the 66 balls came about because they just could not get the singles, the bowling is tight, the bowling is good.”

Pakistan won the four-match series 3-1, after winning the last T20 by seven wickets at the Queen’s Park Oval in St Clair on Sunday. Riaz gave his thoughts on why Pakistan has been so dominant against the West Indies recently.

Riaz said, “If I have to credit someone it will be the bowling coach probably, and the captain and the coaches…what we did best is that we knew where these (West Indies) guys were good and where these guys lack in capability. We always try to bowl and attack them where we know they struggle a lot. I think that is why we were successful because our execution of plans were really good and that is the difference that we beat them in United Arab Emirates and here in the West Indies.” Before the recently-concluded series, Pakistan defeated West Indies 3-0 in both the T20 and ODI series last year in United Arab Emirates, and also won the Test series 2-1.

Pakistan and West Indies will face off in a three-match ODI series in Guyana from Friday, before playing a three-match Test series with matches in Jamaica, Barbados and Dominica.

“We are quite happy, obviously it is a great start to the tour, and obviously playing in West Indies against West Indies is not easy. I think the way the guys have chipped in and the way they have performed they showed what kind of capability they have and overall it is a good win for us.”

Andrews, a 20-year-old Trinidad and Tobago international winger, has been signed to a permanent USL deal with TFC II, while defender Peters, 23, joins the Canadian side on loan for the 2017 season.

Both players have been on trial since February in the city of Vaughan, Ontario in Canada where they teamed up with another Trinidadian, Ricardo John, who joined the Canadian side last season following a stint with TT Pro League champions Central FC. TFC II kicked off their 2017 campaign with a 1-0 away win over Phoenix Rising, the new team of former England international Shaun Wright-Phillips, a week ago in Arizona. But coach Jason Bent’s side were edged 1-0 by Tampa Bay Rowdies in Florida last Saturday, ahead of today’s visit at Orlando City B.

“With the additions of Aikim and Jelani, they will add greater depth and competition for places in the squad,” said Bent, a former Canada international.

Andrews and Peters, like many TFC II players before them, are hoping to earn breakthroughs into TFC first team in the MLS.

“(…) playing abroad professionally was always one of my dreams,” said Andrews. “So I take this (TFC II move) as a stepping stone in my career. At Toronto FC the environment is very professional; there (are) everything needed to prepare and develop players to be at the top levels at all times.” Peters meanwhile said it was great feeling to accomplish one of his goals – to earn a move abroad.

“I always wanted to play abroad,” he said. “And I told myself, once I get the opportunity I’ll make the best out of it. I want to do my best with the USL team this season, and I am hoping in the near future I play for the MLS team.” Both Andrews and Peters thanked W Connection and coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier for their professional development.

Last season Trinidad and Tobago and Connection defender Triston Hodge represented TFC II on loan which expired in December.

(ttproleague.com)