Article 16 of the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Constitution explains the criteria for eligibility in its competitions. “Before students can be accepted by the League to be registered as players to represent any team playing in the League,” states the Constitution, “the following criteria must be fulfilled: “Students must …
Read More »SSFL 24: Fresh delay in Garcia decision, plus how “Naps” avoided censure
What is the fate of St Benedict’s College in relation to the registration of captain and star attacker Derrel “Zoom Zoom” Garcia? It is arguably the single most important matter on the pending tray of the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) executive committee. Yet, the Disciplinary Committee ended its meeting …
Read More »SSFL 24: MoE responds on Derrel Garcia; SSFL set to rule on St Benedict’s
The Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) executive has referred the St Benedict’s College captain Derrel “Zoom Zoom” Garcia matter to its disciplinary committee for a ruling that would decide the story of the 2024 Premier Division. The schools’ body, via a press statement, indicated that the relevant committee would meet …
Read More »SSFL 24: League asks MoE for registration info on St Benedict’s ace, Derrel Garcia
The Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) executive committee will lean on the Ministry of Education to address the issue of St Benedict’s College registration of star player, Derrel “Zoom Zoom” Garcia. SSFL president Merere Gonzales confirmed today the schools governing body is collaborating with the government on the matter—but declined …
Read More »SSFL 24: MoE officials allegedly recommend St Benedict’s sanctions over “Zoom Zoom” registration
St Benedict’s College’s 2024 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Premier Division title chase—or, more accurately, the school’s use of form four student Derrel “Zoom Zoom” Garcia—now appears to be under probe by no less an authority than the Ministry of Education. And the implications can go far deeper than a …
Read More »Dear Editor: Broad hair guidelines no match for racist beliefs: how MOE erred
“[…] The official Ministry of Education press release announcing the hair code […] works to trivialise the issue and divorce it from its substantive context. “[….] An interview with former principal of Fatima Collage, Father Gregory Augustine two weeks after the press release illuminates the point. On 20 July he …
Read More »Vaneisa: Education Minister’s casual cruelty on high temperatures burns
Cruel has to be the word to describe the response of Education Minister Nyan Gadsby-Dolly to the question of how her ministry was dealing with high temperatures in classrooms. How else could one interpret her offensive comments that teachers and principals are used to it and know how to manage …
Read More »Dear Editor: Enlightened Trinity College students taught nation a valuable lesson
“[…] Some of our citizens, unfortunately, seem to hold the view that the natural hair type of students of African descent and their African ancestry/heritage and culture are not valid considerations in the crafting and implementation of school rules. “[…] It is refreshing that like in 1970, the heroes of …
Read More »MoE passes National School Hair Code, students allowed new range of hairstyles
Schools can no longer penalise students with “locs, twists, plaits, afros, cornrows, weaves or braids” thanks to a new “National School Hair Code”, which takes effect nationwide from the new academic year in September 2023. The decision was announced by the Ministry of Education (MOE) after “discussions with the Tobago …
Read More »Vaneisa: Indifference has a cost; public servants must serve the people
Boorish, sexist, callous and unsympathetic responses to complaints sum up the way the public generally feels treated when they approach our state institutions. A few examples might show how widespread it is. At a recent community crime meeting in Warrenville hosted by the TTPS, residents from Cunupia and Warrenville spoke …
Read More »Noble: T&T’s Education system still broken after 60 years—and all we hear is “Yada! Yada! Yada!”
In the long-running comedy series, Seinfeld, the phrase “yada, yada, yada” became popularised. Marcy, a character, used the expression to hide important details, while George used it to avoid speaking about an unpleasant incident. When they discuss their use of the idiom, George discovers that Marcy is a shoplifter. The …
Read More »Demming: Use Jamaica’s Champs example to fire up local sporting passions
Two of our Ministers recently attended Jamaica’s Champs Track and Field Event. This was a great idea to expand the education of Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, the minister of Education, and Shamfa Cudjoe, the minister of Sports and Community Development. If their interest was really in coming up with a solution to …
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