The games, which is sponsored by MILO, will feature 22 schools, primary and private, with the action timed to begin at 9.15 am.

And Education Minister Anthony Garcia and Sports Minister Darryl Smith head the list of dignitaries expected to take in the rivalry.

Maraval RC will defend the girls title while perennial champions Diamond Vale Government will be keen to retain the boys’ crown.

This year, however, Diamond Vale are being seriously challenged by Patna River Estate Government and Diego Martin Government.

And Carenage Girls, who were dethroned last year, are mounting a powerful challenge to regain the title from Maraval RC. They will have Olympic 100 metres and 200 metres finalist Michelle Lee Ahye in their corner In the West A category, Dunross Preparatory School, last year’s winners, are looking to Dylan Woodruffe to lead them back to winner’s row again, while they are hoping to annex the girls title as well. Teams are asked to assemble at 8.30 am for the march past which is timed to begin at 9.15 am.

Lawrence was invited by TT men’s hockey coach Glenn “Fido” Francis to address the team, which is currently preparing for the forthcoming Hockey World League Round Two tournament, which will take place later this month at the National Hockey Centre.

At the World League Round Two contest, Trinidad and Tobago have been drawn in Pool B alongside Japan, Switzerland and Russia.

TT will face Russia in their opening game on March 25. Lawrence, an ex-national defender, has worked as an assistant coach in the English Premier League and also a scout for Belgium most recently before being hired by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association.

For more information on the hockey competition, call 640-5544.

Leaders Hillview have only lost one of their five matches this season — a three-wicket defeat to Carapichaima East in round three. Hillview can seal the title today but need other results to go their way.

Hillview will be crowned champs if they earn maximum points against third placed Naparima at Honeymoon Park in El Dorado but need second placed Fatima and fourth placed Presentation College (Chaguanas) to also lose.

Defending champions Fatima are only five points behind Hillview, and will hope for a victory against fifth placed Barrackpore West to stay in contention for the title.

The teams will play at the Barrackpore West Ground.

Presentation will go into their encounter as favourites when they play sixth placed Carapichaima East at the Presentation ground but will be mindful of the threat of Carapichaima who have upset Hillview in round three and earned a six-wicket win over Barrackpore West in round four.

Shiva Boys and Trinity College East, the bottom two teams on the standings, will face off at the Buggy Haynes Ground in Tacarigua.

Seventh placed Shiva Boys have only won one match this season, while last placed Trinity have lost all their matches.

At the end of the season, the bottom two teams will be demoted to the championship division.

Mohammed, who made his ODI debut in 2011, has yet to cement his place on the West Indies team, but has been the regional team’s top batsman against England thus far. The 30-year-old Mohammed, who plays with Powergen in the National League, struck 72 in the first ODI on Friday, followed by 50 in the second match on Sunday.

Unfortunately, Mohammed’s form has not been able to help West Indies achieve positive results. England won the first ODI by 45 runs, before sealing the three-match series with a four-wicket win in the second ODI.

Mohammed earned selection for the England series after an impressive effort in the Regional Super50 tournament, which concluded last month. The right-hander was the fifth highest run scorer in the competition with 375 runs at an average of 62.50. His highest score in the tournament was 84. Kieran Powell of the Leeward Islands Hurricanes was the top scorer with 513 runs at an average of 64.12.

Khan, who has spent a lot of time with Mohammed as the former manager of the TT team, is elated that he is grabbing the opportunity.

Khan said, “I am very happy that he has gotten on to the team, and more importantly scoring runs. What he has to do now is to transfer those scores into big ones, he has to carry on and go on and get hundreds.

“He was unlucky to get run out in the first ODI, but yesterday (Sunday) I thought he could have batted on, because at the end of the day West Indies still did not bat out their 50 overs, which is a basic plan in any limited overs game.” Khan credited Mohammed’s work ethic and a solid technique for his rich run of form recently. “Jason has always been someone who is willing to learn, he has always been a hard worker, he has a good work ethic.

Powergen now has indoor nets, and he will go down there and get someone to bowl at him for hours, just to get his batting technique right.” Khan added, “Over the last year or so, he has been having some issues with his technique, and he has been working on it and I am very happy to see that he has now been able to work out his issues.” The former West Indies manager said that one of Mohammed’s challenges was a lack of confidence. Khan, who served as Mohammed’s manager on the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the 2016 Caribbean Premier League, said giving Mohammed a permanent spot on the team boosted his confidence.

“We gave him that confidence (with the Guyana Amazon Warriors). We told him you are now in the team and you don’t have to worry if you play or not, you will be a permanent fixture on the team. We gave him the responsibility of holding down that number four batting position, we built that confidence in him.” Mohammed had a brilliant 2016 CPL season, helping the Amazon Warriors reach the final once again. The batsman finished 10th on the scoring chart with 287 runs, but finished with the best average among the top ten batsmen with 47.83. He had a top score of 57 not out and recorded six not outs in the tournament.

Khan said Mohammed’s family has also played an instrumental part in his success. “His family is very supportive of him, his dad has been one of his biggest supporters.”

Each national budget speaks to growing contributions tourism and the creative sectors need to make to the national pie. Dr Auliana Poon, having worked extensively in the field of tourism, is in her own way developing tourism by L?v?.

Now in its second year, L?v? – Live the Caribbean is, “an initiative of the NGO Tourism Intelligence International Academy/Foundation… it is the only event that combines the creative industries of music, fashion, fine art, culture, cuisine, rum and rhythm into one exceptional event…” A written introduction on the event added, “L?v? will present to the world a fine cluster of exceptional brands and talent of Trinidad and Tobago. L?v? aims to create a marketplace to exchange ideas, products, creativity and talent and importantly, to grow the linkages between tourism and creative industries.” This year’s event will again be held at Villa Being, Arnos Vale, Tobago on April 23 from 4 pm to 7 pm. The event was held for the first time last year during the Tobago Jazz Experience and saw attendance by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and his wife, Sharon and also Tourism Minister Shamfa Cudjoe.

Poon [who holds a BA and MSc in Economics from the University of the West Indies and a DPhil in Technology and Economics from University of Sussex, England] has been credited, throughout her career, with developing successful tourism concepts.

Poon and Tourism Intelligence International Academy have done work for neighbouring Caribbean islands Barbados and Jamaica, Arab nation Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Mozambique and Malawi.

It is this far-reaching expertise that Poon hopes to incorporate into L?v?, with part of its objective being to showcase and promote the talent of TT/Caribbean on the local, regional and international levels as well as to grow the linkages between tourism and TT’s creative industries.

L?v? will showcase the talents of master tailor and designer Sir Andrew Ramroop, artist Shashtri Maharaj, chef Adrian Cumberbatch, designers Richard Young and Dominic Laroche, Dianne Hunt, music band Kin from Tobago and You- Tube personality Ro’dey. Tobago’s Pleasure Pirates, the Les Couteaux Folk Performers, the Distinguished Dresser, the winners of the Tobago Afro Queen competition and Gerard “Panman” Balfour will also be featured. At the launch of L?v?, Poon said to media gathered at Diane’s Tea Shop, 119 Long Circular Road, Port-of-Spain: “It is not the energy in the ground but the energy of the people of Trinidad and Tobago that will drive its future success, diversification and much-needed foreign exchange earnings.” L?v?, she said, was about demonstrating to the world that we have and we could make it happen. Poon said the event was also about partnering talent with emerging talent and creating “a platform of excellence” in TT.

The event is by invitation only.

Foster’s goal as an artist is to visually create emotional experiences using various media and a vibrant mix of colour. These “emotional experiences” can come in different forms such as the watercolour portraits of loved ones or famous faces, reminding us of a time and place when our life was more colourful with them in it. They are also the illustrations of buildings from a lost era or abstract renditions of a dying breed that is Trinidad and Tobago’s traditional Carnival characters.

The exhibits are the visual translations on canvas, of a group of songs that form the soundtrack of Foster’s creative process.

Foster was born and raised in the Caribbean but has strong European roots, and thus there is always that struggle to find “home”, a media release stated.

The march and rally takes place under the theme, Women’s Rights are Everyone’s Issues. Bring Yuh Message and Come! This event has been organised by a coalition of NGOs, CSOs and other organisations and individuals, including the Institute for Gender and Development Studies, UWI St Augustine, Womantra, I Am One, Conflict Women Ltd, Firecircle!, Winad, Cafra TT , The 2 Cents Movement, Say Something TT , Caiso: Sex & Gender Justice, The Amalgamated Workers Union, Women Everywhere, the network of NGOs of TT and the Organisation for Abused and Battered Individuals.

The Life in Leggings: Caribbean Alliance Against Gender Based Violence movement seeks to raise awareness around violence and empower women and girls to share stories of survival, sexual assault and harassment in the Caribbean region and diaspora.

The rally is the local instalment of a broader regional movement scheduled for the same time and same day in Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, The Bahamas, Guyana and Jamaica.

Amanda McIntyre of Womantra said in a media release: “With the increase in violence perpetrated against women and girls, we show solidarity with the other countries regionally that are marching on March 11. We invite all interested persons and community groups to join us in this initiative.

We need your voices.” Organisations, community groups and individuals can bring their concerns and messages for action and change and can speak during the rally and/or create placards with your messages.

Those who are unable to attend can share solidarity messages on the “Life in Leggings TT : Women’s Rights March & Rally” Facebook event page, where further information about this initiative and movement can be accessed.

For more info: Renuka Anandjit at 475-1951, McIntyre at 491-1249, or email: womensrightsrally@ gmail.com.

Women have to feel like they are not alone –Salma Hayek AS THE world gets ready to commemorate International Women’s Day tomorrow, there still looms some level of darkness in relation to domestic violence. There have been numerous knee-bending calls from many, as well as possible solutions to eliminate this scourge.

Effectively assessing the circumstances of domestic violence requires an acute understanding of both the perpetrators as well as the victims. Though offenders have been profiled on the basis of specific characteristics including low self-confidence, authoritative, hasty, being self-centred and insecure, there is a missing link to which little attention is paid –that is poor parenting and poor socialisation.

Despite the fact that a typical perpetrator’s profile is merited, tons of research studies have shown that one’s adulthood is a reflection of how that individual was socialised as a child, which also includes the environmental flaws to which they may have been exposed.

Therefore, the profile which has been aligned to perpetrators is in fact made up of secondary characteristics that have emerged as a result of their childhood orientation.

Admittedly, it is indeed a challenge to change the mindsets of men over 35, as therapeutic sessions must be consistent if positive outcomes are expected.

Hence, looking beyond for solutions must begin by looking again at the way in which males are socialised from childhood, and their associations, as well as the domestic conditions that they are exposed to.

In a research study currently being undertaken by the IWRN aimed at unearthing the factors that propel men towards becoming violent, of the 20 men interviewed thus far, 11 have admitted that they were never showered with love as children, nor taught how to love and appreciate others.

Though the research contains some other confidential pieces of data, it is clear that the link of love between birth and adolescence has been fractured in some instances, which to a large extent explains the existence of insecurity issues that contribute to domestic violence. This research is deemed a game-changer as it demonstrates that situations involving domestic violence must be addressed holistically with the focus on both victim and perpetrator.

The approach to nurturing and socialising males needs to be revisited with some measure of urgency, which may also require equipping parents with new coping skills and techniques; this would be an excellent start in minimising further occurrences of broken communities and/or homes. Gears also need to change before any real solutions can be advanced.

Relationships must be viewed through different lenses, with both partners accepting responsibility for their actions and seeking help and/or counselling where necessary. The blame game must be shattered and reality must step in for the salvaging of any union. While those on the outside looking in may be willing to assist, affected individuals must be willing to start the process of change and healing.

Sandrine Rattan is a communications/ branding consultant, author and president of the International Women’s Resource Network (IWRN) Contact: thecorporatesuitett@ gmail.com or intlwomensresourcenetwork@ gmail.com

He has three romantic hits from the movie Kaabil with Hritik Roshan. Dubbed the prince of romance, Nautiyal will join TT ’s heartthrob Raymond Ramnarine in concert on March 18 at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya. Produced by Rafi Mohammed, Nautiyal will perform with his full band.

He has chosen the best tunes including Dal Jaun from the film, Rustom, as well as Le Chala, Ishq Forever, Pyar Tune Kiya Hai, Bandeya and Meherbani.

“As accustomed this annual event called Everyone Loves Raymond will leave patrons asking for more, we are providing an unforgettable evening of superb entertainment,” Mohammed said.

Nautiyal is the son of Ram and Neena in India.

He belongs to a Brahmin family with ancestral roots in the Jaunsar region of the state of Uttarakhand.

His father is a businessman and politician in Uttarakhand and his mother is a businesswoman and a home-maker.

Nautiyal showed an inclination towards music at an early age of four taking his father’s love for singing. He did his schooling up to eighth grade from St Joseph’s Academy, Dehradun. He continued school at Welham Boys’ School, Dehradun, where he formally studied music as a subject and built a base in classical music. He also learnt to play instruments like guitar, piano, harmonium and drums.

After completing his schooling, he moved to Mumbai in 2007 and joined Mithibai College. He continued to train in music and explored music scenario of Indian films. During this time he met AR Rahman who appreciated his voice quality and suggested that he continue to work on and explore his voice for a few more years before entering into the Indian music industry.

Nautiyal was awarded with Upcoming Male Vocalist of the Year at eight Mirchi Music Awards in 2016 for his song Zindagi Kuch Toh Bata from Bajrangi Bhaijaan and his other achievement is the Rising Musical Star Award (2015) received at Zee Business Awards.

Some believe that education simply exists to teach academics and how to earn a living, while supervising students. Hence, they expect that schooling can be sacrificed for the convenience of the wider society.

I reject this disrespect to the important institution of education.

I firmly believe the education system is mandated to shape the attitudes and values of young people to conform to the image that society finds desirable for its citizens.

The school must not meekly submit to the ways of the wider society, but rather, the education system must set the bar for behaviour, attitudes, dispositions and values for society.

If there are lapses in society, the education system must take corrective action through a responsive curriculum.

The Education Policy Paper (1993-2003) has been adopted as the guiding policy framework for education in this country, and educational decisions should reflect its policies.

The policy paper was formulated when a team led by the late Carol Keller consulted with stakeholders across the length and breadth of TT .

The policy paper advises that our educational system must aim at developing a spiritually, morally, physically, intellectually and emotionally sound individual; that fundamental constructs such as decency, justice, respect, kindness, equality, love, honesty, and sensitivity are major determinants of the survival of our multi-cultural society; and that the leaders of the educational system in TT must be guided by a set of systematic and incisive understandings, beliefs and values about education in general and its relationship to the development of the national community of TT .

The document asserts that education in TT can be the viable means that creates individuals with the intellect and capacity to develop and lead societies, communities, villages, and/or neighbourhoods and families of the future.

We need to recognise that people learn primarily from experiences, and the experience of being kept away from school by the State because of Carnival can send a negative message to affect an already poor level of productivity.

A decision to ban schooling during the Carnival week can teach our youth that fete takes precedence above work, and every other activity must give way to Carnival, even preparation for future personal well-being.

It seems obvious that the reason why students stay away from school is because the processes of the school have become unappealing and irrelevant to the concerns of students. Perhaps in the race for CXC passes and scholarships teachers and students have lost sight of the purpose of education and its importance for a fulfilling life.

Teachers need to engage students in meaningful projects from before Carnival weekend that will continue on Ash Wednesday.

We need to take the message that George Chambers once sent to TT : “Fete over — time to work.”

David Subran via email