​On Saturday, November 9, 2024, Mrs. Kelian Stedman, an accomplished Dominican educator, will address her peers as Valedictorian at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Global Campus Virtual Graduation Ceremony.
 
Graduating with a Bachelor of Education in Educational Leadership and Management with First Class Honors, Mrs. Stedman’s academic excellence is underscored by her consistent presence on the student honor roll throughout her studies. Currently serving as a Senior Qualified Teacher with Dominica’s Ministry of Education, Mrs. Stedman’s journey reflects a deep-seated belief in the transformative power of education—a conviction shaped by her own life experience.
 
Raised in humble circumstances, Mrs. Stedman discovered early on that education could transcend societal barriers. This realization has not only driven her success but has also inspired her dedication to her students, whom she seeks to empower with the same vision of education’s potential.

​The Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) has officially announced that the 2025 Carnival season will kick off on January 18, 2025. Monelle Alexis, Communications and Public Relations Specialist at DDA, shared the news during a segment on state-owned radio. She noted that several events leading up to the opening of Domnik 2025 will commence on January 7, 2025, setting the stage for the vibrant festivities to come.

​Alexis further outlined a variety of activities scheduled for February 2025. These events are designed to engage both locals and visitors in the festive spirit leading up to the grand celebration.

​Monelle Alexis, Communications and Public Relations Specialist at Discover Dominica Authority (DDA)

​The Government of Dominica has announced a two-day workshop focused on green energy initiatives, set to take place at the Goodwill Parish Hall. The event will run from 9 AM to 3 PM on Thursday, October 31, and from 9 AM to 2 PM on Friday, November 1, 2024.
 
Organized by the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, Climate Resilience, and Social Security, the workshop will be led by Kenesjay Green Ltd. (KGL), a prominent Caribbean project developer in green energy, in collaboration with the international firm io consulting. This event is seen as a significant step in the government's efforts to produce green energy commodities as part of its broader green industrialization initiative.
 
All national stakeholders, including private and public sector representatives, local manufacturers, and financial institutions, are encouraged to attend. The government also extends a special invitation to members of the diaspora currently on the island to engage in the low carbon development process.
 
The government emphasizes that this national initiative will require collective support and collaboration to succeed, and it seeks active participation from all sectors in this transformative endeavour.

​Pharmacist & Businessman Anderson Jolly voiced concern over high tax rates in Dominica, asserting that Dominicans are among the most heavily taxed people in the Caribbean. Jolly argued that the current tax burdens are reducing residents' purchasing power, stifling economic vitality.

​Jolly expressed concerns about Dominica’s traditional pension system, suggesting it’s outdated and calls for a more sustainable approach to securing long-term benefits for residents. He noted that the Social Security Office has been strained, indicating an urgent need for innovative solutions to ensure future sustainability.

​Pharmacist and Businessman, Anderson Jolly.

​Chairman of the Electoral Reform Coalition (ERC) and also Chairman of the Dominica Freedom Party, Johnson Boston, has criticized Prime Minister Skerrit, for what he describes as a lack of understanding of the role and responsibilities of Dominica’s electoral commission. Boston emphasized that the commission must act as a referee, in keeping with its mandate to make legislative recommendations aimed at ensuring free, fair and transparent elections.
 
According to Boston, the commission’s recommendations are vital to helping bring forward laws that can guarantee free, fair and transparent elections through parliamentary approval. He labeled the Prime Minister's approach as “politically arrogant,” citing an imperative for greater commitment to comprehensive electoral reform.

​Chairman of the ERC & Dominica Freedom Party, Johnson Boston.

​After attending a high-level meeting on Monday morning with his fellow Electoral Commissioners on the recommendation of the President of Dominica for a new Chief Elections Officer, Electoral Commissioner Wayne James says based on findings following due diligence conducted on the proposed individual, the person in question was found to be unfit to hold the post of Chief Elections Officer.

​James reported on the activities of this meeting to the general public on the afternoon of October 28, 2024. Prior to this meeting, the previous Chief Elections Officer, Ian Anthony, had to resign following regulations which stipulated that at the age of 55 years, the person holding the position had to resign. 

​James went on to indicate that the selection process that is being implemented by government is nonsensical. He stated that the most mentally and academically qualified individual for the position of Chief Elections Officer - other than Mr Ian Anthony who had to resign for the post by law - is a female who was second in command to Mr. Anthony, as she is well versed to handle the duties and workload of that office.

​Electoral Commissioner, Wayne James.

The American Canadian School of Medicine (ACSOM) says ithas forged a landmark partnership with Bridgeport Hospital, part of the Yale New Haven Health System (YNHHS), designating it as the primary clinical training site for ACSOM students. This agreement will allow ACSOM’s future physicians to complete essential clinical rotations at Bridgeport Hospital, a renowned teaching institution in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
 
With 501 licensed beds, Bridgeport Hospital offers a full spectrum of specialized services, including state-of-the-art heart care, surgical procedures, cancer treatments and orthopedics. Known for its high standards in patient care & its affiliation with the Yale New Haven Health System, the hospital presents an ideal setting for medical students to gain practical experience in key areas such as internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, psychiatry, and obstetrics and gynecology. 

​Dominicans are being urged to decrease intake of processed foods and eat healthy. Retired Nurse & Founder of the Association of Dominica Midwives Inc (ADM), Rosie Felix, is recommending a list of foods needed to avoid Non-Communicable Diseases. Felix cautions all Dominicans to embrace a healthier diet and exercise to ensure a healthier population.

​Retired Nurse & Founder of ADM, Rosie Felix.

​The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) says it is set to enhance educational services through the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), focusing on improving literacy and numeracy rates in the region. This initiative was highlighted by CXC Registrar and CEO Dr. Wayne Wesley during the keynote address at the Regional Symposium and Policy Dialogue on Transforming Education in the Cayman Islands.
 
Dr. Wesley emphasized the importance of foundational skills, stating, "We can talk about AI all we want, but if students are not literate and numerate, they will not harness the power of AI." He announced plans to introduce an AI-powered literacy and numeracy system aimed at providing Caribbean students with a competitive edge, especially in light of concerning statistics showing only 36% of candidates passed Mathematics in the 2024 CXC exams.
 
Describing the initiative as a significant transformation for CXC, Dr. Wesley remarked, "This marks the beginning of the end of the Caribbean Examinations Council as we know it."
 
At the symposium, various speakers discussed how AI could address learning gaps while ensuring equitable access to educational resources. They called for urgent investments in reliable internet, affordable devices, and comprehensive teacher training to prevent exacerbating existing inequalities. 

​At the 2024 Northern Youth Rally on Tuesday, Member of Parliament for Portsmouth, Fenella Wenham-Shepherd encouraged students to let the power of their imaginationshape their realities and futures. She cited Albert Einstein, whom she called the greatest scientist of the 20th century, noting how his imaginative thinking transformed the world.

Wenham-Shepherd urged the students to envision a more developed Portsmouth, asserting that such a vision could significantly enhance their future prospects. Her message aimed to inspire young minds to harness their creativity for positive change in their community.

​Wenham-Shepherd urged students to foster togetherness & unity as a foundation for envisioning & creating a brighter future for Portsmouth, stating that anything becomes possible through collaboration.

Member of Parliament for Portsmouth, Fenella Wenham-Shepherd.