The decision was taken yesterday when the Crime Stoppers board held a meeting at the request of the Police Social and Welfare Association (PSWA).

PSWA president Inspector Michael Seales said the association is thankful to Crime Stoppers for their involvement.

Seales said members of the North Eastern Division, where Joseph worked since joining the Police Service on November 10, 2016, are in pain over the disappearance of their colleague.

“Anyone with information can contact the nearest police station or 800-TIPS,” he said.

Yesterday members of the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF), acting on information provided by members of the public, searched the Beetham landfill for the missing woman but nothing was found.

Homicide sources said yesterday that they too have been receiving tips from members of the public but all information checked thus far have not borne any fruit.

Newsday understands that the 39-year-old man detained in connection with the missing officer, continues to tell police telling officers that he loved Joseph dearly and would never hurt her.

Also, in a statement issued to the media yesterday, acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams says he has joined members of the Police Service in an on-going prayer vigil for Joseph’s safe return and assured Joseph’s family that everything is being done to achieve this.

The search for Joseph commenced on Friday last after she was reported missing by her mother Paula Guy. Officers searched the Sea Lots and Beetham Gardens areas but to no avail. During the course of the weekend, the search was extended to the waters off Sea Lots, and parts of the Caroni River.

Joseph was yesterday described by fellow officers as a person of good character, who was very professional.

“She has always been a willing participant on exercises and even though she’s only been on board for several months already has several cases in the court. She’s a budding officer who has shown a lot of potential.

WPC Joseph views the job as a career and not just a work.

She also has the respect of her colleagues.” said Ulric Benjamin, WPC Joseph’s reporting officer. Joseph enlisted in the police service on November 10, last year. Joseph was yesterday described by fellow officers as a person of good character, who was very professional.

“She has always been a willing participant on exercises and even though she’s only been on board for a few months, she already has several cases in the court,” said Joseph’s reporting officer Sgt Ulric Benjamin.

“She’s a budding officer who has shown a lot of potential. PC Joseph views the job as a career and not just a work. She also has the respect of her colleagues.”

The teenager appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Maria Busby Earle-Caddle charged with James’ murder.

James, 56, of 23 Gordon Avenue, Mt Lambert, died on February 27, Carnival Monday, from multiple stab wounds. He was killed during an incident at the corner of Prince and Henry Streets, Port-of- Spain. The teenager, who cannot be identified because of his age as he deemed a minor by law, was remanded to the St Michael’s Boys Rehabilitation Centre.

The teenager will return to court on March 27.

Acting CEO Capt Jagmohan Singh said CAL is still paying part of the lease for two Boeing 767 aircraft which CAL was using for its Port-of- Spain to London route.

That route was discontinued on October 6, 2015, almost one month after the People’s National Movement (PNM) won the September 7, 2015 general election. CAL officials explained that the figure of US$270,000 per month equated to a cost of US$135,000 per month for each of the Boeing-767 planes which the State-owned airline no longer has.

The officials said the agreement to dry lease these planes ends in August.

The two Boeing 767 aircraft are currently being used in Canada.

Last October, CAL Corporate Communications Manager, Dionne Ligoure said after conducting a review of the network, the airline made a decision to withdraw the Boeing 767 planes from its operations and to discontinue flights from Trinidad to London-Gatwick with effect from January 10, 2016.

This means that for the last 13 months since this route was stopped, CAL would have paid approximately US$3,510,000 for these planes under the existing lease agreement.

By the time the agreement ends in August, CAL is expected to pay approximately, an additional US$1,620,000.

In total, CAL would have paid approximately US$5,130,000 for these two planes from last January to August.

Last October, Ligoure said the costs associated with maintaining the operation of these planes led CAL to the decision of simplifying its fleet.

She said CAL would now focus its limited resources on building connectivity in the North American and Caribbean markets.

At yesterday’s hearing, Senator Dr Lester Henry expressed shock at these figures and the fact that the airline still has to make these payments

He added that the country is living in economic isolation, doing business with a very limited number of countries and while Trinidad and Tobago is doing business with other countries, it is not doing business in other countries. He said there is not one locally-owned multi-national company which is operating as a multi-national in another country. He also said that the local economy is stagnant and the outlook for the next three to five years does not look good.

For all these reasons he said the business school had assembled three of the top business gurus in the world to speak at its Distinguished Leadership and Innovation Conference being held under the theme “Inspire, Innovate and Go Global” on May 5 at the Hyatt Regency.

Collins is described as a leadership expert, having written or co-authored six books which have together sold more than ten million copies globally.

The conference line-up also includes Sir Ken Robinson, an internationally acclaimed expert on creativity and innovation and author of the bestseller Finding your Element, the Element; and Pankaj Ghemawat, Globalisation and Business Strategy Expert and author of the book “3:0 World Prosperity and How to Achieve it.” Carillo said because its obsessed with impact and relevance, the Arthur Lok Jack business school had put together the three greatest minds and relevant speakers in the history of the business world to make presentations at the conference.

He said the Caribbean is a small region and is one prone to natural disasters and one of the most important things the region needs to do is to outgrow itself if it wants to sustain a growth trajectory that will sustain itself over time. He added that the region needs to move its growth platform from the Caribbean to the world. “So we have to stop being so Caribbean- centric and whenever we think about a new venture or an investment, it’s not always to see how relevant this value proposition will be for Trinidad and Tobago but for the world.” One unique aspect of the conference will be a large panel from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) which will include two prime ministers and two ministers of Education, Dr Michael Brown from Antigua and Barbuda and Byron Waldron from the British Virgin Islands.

Hosein rose above his own anguished situation to ask a very basic question that the rest of us have seemingly simply been content to turn a blind eye towards for years on end: Does suspension work? A compassionate Hosein mulled the fate of his son’s assailant. “What will he sit down home and do for seven days?” he asked. “He needs a place where he can get guidance and counselling.

He needs therapy and should not be deprived of his education. We have to give him support so he can realise what he did was wrong.” Hosein’s insight and compassion are an example to our school and educational authorities.

In a school crisis, a school principal may quickly isolate a pupil off the school compound, as a “punishment” and to give things time and space to cool down.

Yet, that said, what actually happens from the pupil’s point of view? Firstly, the pupil misses a week’s worth of lessons for which there may be zero chance of ever catching up.

Even if by some miracle the dean supplied the pupil with a transcript of work from every lesson of every day, the pupil will miss the benefit of the class interaction – teacher explanation, pupil query and class problem- solving.

In reality, the pupil won’t ever get such notes which are beyond the typical school’s staffing and photocopying resources.

A missed week of work leaves a gap in the pupil’s progressive accrual of knowledge, with a deleterious knock-on effect for upcoming lessons.

Further, the pupil will hardly see suspension as a punishment, as he or she lounges at home aimlessly playing video games, or indulging in unsavoury activities.

National Parent Teachers Association (NPTA) head Zena Ramatali recently said, “If students are left unsupervised for long periods of time, obviously the devil will find work for idle hands.” We observe that many crises arise if a school allows things to fester – such as teacher absenteeism – “incidents” for which the pupil is blamed and suspended.

Ramatali rightly said that to head off such crises, schools must better fulfil their duty of care to pupils by crafting a positive environment of peace programme, conflict resolution, anger management and proper supervision.

Meanwhile, the United States (US) and United Kingdom (UK) both have notable initiatives to rethink the efficacy of school suspension/exclusion.

A 2012 Time magazine article, “Does suspending students work?” by Christopher Ferguson, says suspensions may do more harm than good by exacerbating behavioural and academic problems, while not addressing any underlying issues.

Suspension simply “kicks the societal cost down the road” as it may lead to academic failure and occupational and legal problems as an adult, he said.

A 2015 Cambridge University (UK) conference, “Keeping young people in school – alternatives to exclusion,” said five percent of pupils account for 90 percent of suspensions, suggesting that a tiny cohort can be targetted for help.

Connecticut-based (US) website, Education World, urged that “at-school” suspensions be run by a teacher who can assess pupils for unidentified learning difficulties and help with assignments, and by a counsellor to explore root causes of problems, meet parents and find specialist help.

We urge that suspension must not be a cop-out, especially for minor infractions such as a poorly-ironed collar, lateness or lack of equipment, all likely the parent’s fault.

Yes, protect victims from bullies, but beware that an over-use of suspension could breach child rights under the TT Constitution and United Nations framework, especially for victimless offences and where the miscreant poses no risk to other pupils

Various reasons were advanced by some parents for this practice including, “Nothing happens at school, teachers don’t show up (the records will prove otherwise) or even teachers telling children not to come to school.” All of these excuses are lame to say the least and serves as a cover for a bad habit that has become part of our national culture. Indeed, we seem to create long weekends at every opportunity to stay away from work or school.

How fortunate we are as a nation that our children can opt to simply stay away from school for three days, considering that it costs millions of taxpayers’ dollars to keep over 650 primary and secondary schools open for these days.

Consider that over 55 million children worldwide still have no access to schooling. What value do parents really place on their children’s education? What message are we sending to our children by this practice? What would be their expectation of employers when they become workers? Our love of fete and party has apparently taken precedence over everything else.

By this action we are boldly telling our children — our future adults — that it is alright to party to the point where you need several days to recover. One of our former prime ministers once reminded us that when the fete is over we must get back to work. We must set limits to our gaiety and fun as responsible adults so that the young ones among us will learn to emulate responsible behaviour.

In times gone by Ash Wednesday and beyond were normal school days, with parents dutifully ensuring that all children were ready for school work after the fun of Carnival.

Instead, we see thousands of parents accompanied by their children at the beach “cooling down” with no regard for the fact that their children should be in school.

Unfortunately, this culture extends to all so-called long weekends.

As the debate unfolded there were calls from many quarters to declare the entire Carnival week a holiday for schools. The thinking here is probably if you can’t beat them you might as well join them.

Surely this cannot be an acceptable argument if we are serious about creating citizens that are globally competitive.

Many citizens play mas, fete and party to their hearts’ delight but are back to work on Ash Wednesday and beyond with no decline in their levels of productivity. Yielding to this kind of thinking sends the wrong message to our future adults. It trivialises schooling to suit the whim and fancy of students, depreciating its value and premium.

These actions of parents must be condemned in the strongest manner.

Simply calling on parents to send their children to school on these days is not enough. Those in authority, including the media, must denounce this practice in the strongest possible manner, because all right-thinking citizens are fully cognizant that this practice is not a good aspect of our national culture.

It should be frowned upon and discouraged at every opportunity.

Not all customs that evolve are necessarily good for us as a society.

This aspect of our national psyche developed under our noses because of a combination of negative factors. It is not too late to correct it. TTUTA commends those teachers who turned out in their thousands to teach their charges post-Carnival.

Yesterday, a traumatised Valene De Peiza, a mother of an eight-year-old boy and owner of Hair by Valene of High Street, Siparia told Newsday that the reckless action by some people has ruined her life since she was not the person arrested for the double murder.

One Facebook message accused De Peiza and her mother of stabbing to death the mother and daughter.

She said, “Social media has ruined my life.” The Bertrand women were murdered inside their two-storey home located at the corner of Gonzalez Street and SS Erin Road, De Gannes Village, Siparia and their bodies were discovered in an advanced state of decomposition on Carnival Monday.

Autopsies later revealed that they were stabbed to death. De Peiza said, “What was done has affected me, my family and my business because everybody know me.

I have been a hairdresser for years now in my community and don’t ask me why persons will do that because police has never spoken to me or any member of my family concerning this matter.” She said all it took was one person to start a rumour and then it spread like wildfire as she was identified as the person in police custody and later people started posting her photograph which drew comments.

It was last Thursday, following two weeks of investigation, that a 27-yearold sales clerk from the same village was detained in connection with the deaths.

However, when contacted yesterday, a senior police officer confirmed that the woman was to be released yesterday pending further investigations.

Using her phone, De Peiza displayed one of several messages and photographs which appeared on Facebook.

The message read: “after finding out you got locked up for the recent murder in Siparia, my trust issues just went up by 100.

You really cannot trust people.

Playing you can’t mash ants but you and your mother stab up the people.” As a result of the posts on social media, De Peiza said she posted a message on her timeline which read: “Good morning fb people. Well I haven’t laughed as hard as I did this morning when I hear about this rumour circling around in Siparia.

Hmmm.. people again it’s not true Ok. Do enjoy your day.” She said since the photograph went viral, she has been inundated with calls from relatives and friends both home and abroad.

She said persons were worried that she was really locked up for murder.

De Peiza, who turned 33 yesterday, said she did not celebrate the occasion because of the rumours.

“I have not eaten or slept since Friday when news spread that I was held for the murder.” De Peiza said she lives on the same street as the Bertrands.

She is baffled as to why she was identified as the person and why her photograph was posted on Facebook.

She said she first heard that it was her mother, Jacqueline Villafana, who was detained and soon after rumours started that Villafana was released and police held her.

Yesterday, De Peiza said she walked through the town to convince people she was not in custody.

“It is not a nice feeling,” she said. “I had to speak to my son’s teacher because I am afraid what this could do to him.” She said as she walked the streets yesterday persons were pointing fingers in her direction.

She said she will be considering her legal options and intends to report the matter to the Cyber Crime Unit.

“Persons must not get away with this.” Sylvestine owned several commercial and residential properties in Siparia and environs.

Her daughter moved back to Trinidad a few years ago to live with her. They were devout Catholics.

Following the murder several persons were questioned and statements taken.

With the release of the suspect, investigators

Relatives awaiting the results of an autopsy done at the Forensic Science Centre, St James yesterday, said Andrews, a business owner who lived at Mt Lambert, San Juan, was seen leaving his business place in St Joseph with two other men. They were apparently preparing to fix a shed for a garage.

The family was also told that one of the men was seen driving the car, while Andrews sat in the front seat eating.

Family members called him at about 11 pm on Friday, and he said that he would be returning to their home in Curepe shortly.

At about 4 pm the next day, he was found dead in his car, off Brunton Road, Curepe.

Relatives said they heard about the story on social media, but they did not know for sure whether it was Andrews or not, because no one had positively identified the body. They took it upon themselves to go to the police to confirm whether the body which was found was his. When police told relatives that he was not the man that they found, they filed a missing persons report.

But when they went to Forensics yesterday, and viewed the body, they greatest fears were realised.

“I did not come here to see my family’s body, I was still hoping that he was alive,” said a relative, “I cannot believe that he is dead.” Relatives believe that the men with whom he left on Friday night, may have something to do with Andrews’ death.

They noted that on that same night, he was given a quantity of money to do repairs on his car and they believe he may have been killed in an attempt to steal the cash.

Andrews, a father of two, was described by relatives as a helpful and hardworking man, who did everything for his family. An autopsy yesterday confirmed that he died from a single gunshot wound to the head, but he also suffered several contusions to his face, suggesting that he was beaten.

According to reports, officers led by ASP Henry and others, who were searching in the mangrove close to the jetty, stumbled upon the 21 packets of marijuana.

The drugs were seized and handed over to the Organised Crime Narcotics and Firearms Bureau (ONCFB). Yesterday, Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of crime Irwin Hackshaw commended the police and other agencies for the efforts made in yesterday’s search operations in which the drug seizure was made.

The committee which is chaired by Energy Ministry Permanent Secretary Selwyn Lashley, is tasked with making recommendations for the restructuring of the company. The committee is scheduled to submit its first report by June 1. Other members of the committee are former Independent senator Helen Drayton; Oilfield Workers Trade Union (OWTU) representatives David Abdulah and Gregory Marchan; Robert Riley, head of Safety and Operational Risk, Competency and Capability Development at the BP Group in London and Professor Chandrabhan Sharma from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine.

Speaking in the Senate on March 7, Finance Minister Colm Imbert said Petrotrin, “currently owes the Board of Inland Revenue (BIR) $1,780,506,782.52.” On March 6 in the House of Representatives, Imbert said that an undisclosed $4.2 billion deferred tax asset, which was not shown in Petrotrin’s accounts, could result in the company recording audited losses to the tune of $4.5 billion in 2016 rather than the previously disclosed estimate of $600 million. Imbert, who is also acting Energy Minister, previously indicated Government is reviewing proposals for restructuring from the OWTU and the company itself.

OWTU President General Ancel Roget has claimed that Imbert’s statement on March 6 was an attempt to justify Petrotrin’s privatisation.

Former government ministers Kevin Ramnarine and Vasant Bharath have also questioned the figures which Imbert mentioned last week in the House and Senate.