USVI BOARD OF EDUCATION BLOCKS DEPT. OF EDUCATION FROM SUSPENDING GRADING EVEN AS HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS LACK EQUIPMENT TO LEARN VIRTUALLY

VI CONSORTIUM The USVI Department of Education on Wednesday said it would move forward with grading even as department officials on Wednesday testified that hundreds of students have indicated they lack the tools — including laptops and internet — necessary to learn virtually. D.O.E. had failed to secure enough Chromebook laptops in time to cover … Continued

FIRST WEEK OF USVI REOPENING “EXTRAORDINARILY SUCCESSFUL” SAYS TOURISM COMMISSIONER

VI Consortium While the first week of the return of leisure travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands has been “extraordinarily successful”, according to V.I. Department of Tourism representatives, the territory continues to urge compliance with the stringent protocols and guidelines that have been established to help curb the spread of Covid-19 Tourism Commissioner Joseph Boschulte … Continued

CXC REGISTRAR CONCERNED OVER 52% PASS RATE IN CSEC MATHS

Loop News Fifty-two per cent of students who sat the recent CSEC Mathematics examination have passed.This is in fact “a slight improvement” over the 49 per cent passes in 2018 and “a marked improvement” over 2019 when some 46 per cent of students attained acceptable grades, according to the Director of Operations, Examination Services Division … Continued

BRYAN: DON’T EXPECT NIGHTCLUBS, BARS TO REOPEN UNTIL FEB-MARCH 2021 AT THE EARLIEST

VI CONSORTIUM US Virgin Islanders longing for fetes should assimilate to the new norms caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, as bars and nightclubs are not expected to be cleared for reopening until February-March of 2021 at the earliest. That’s according to Governor Albert Bryan, speaking during his Monday Covid-19 press briefing where he attempted to … Continued

BRYAN ADMINISTRATION CONSIDERING UNIVERSAL MASK WEARING; COVID-19 TESTING AT AIRPORTS IN ‘PILOT PHASE’

VI CONSORTIUM USVI Governor Albert Bryan announced during his Monday Covid-19 press briefing that his administration is considering the implementation of universal mask wearing, a move aimed at strengthening the territory’s Covid-19 protocols, with Mr. Bryan stating he does not want to shut down the territory again. Another shutdown would be the third such action … Continued

BOYS TOP GRADE SIX EXAMS IN GUYANA

North Georgetown Primary School student Samuel Barkoye and Rovin Lall of Stella Marris Primary have topped the 2020 National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) in Guyana. Education Minister Priya Manickchand annouced the NGSA results today. Both students scored 525 points, which is just three short of the highest possible score. Barkoye and Lall will be attending … Continued

BELIZE CELEBRATES 39 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

Belize held a scaled down version of its annual Independence Day celebrations today due to the coronavirus pandemic.  The theme for its 39th anniversary celebration is “Overcoming Adversity, Creating Opportunity, Belizeans: Unite for Prosperity.”  The challenges of the coronavirus as well as Belize’s upcoming General Election on November 1 were among the topics discussed.   Prime Minister of Belize Dean Barrow  In … Continued

U.S. GOVERNMENT RELEASES $13BIL TO ASSIST PUERTO RICO

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump announced the release of $13 billion in assistance to repair years-old hurricane damage in Puerto Rico and pledged to restore its economy, setting aside his past bitter treatment of the island and its leaders as he courts Puerto Rican voters in the U.S., particularly in the crucial swing state … Continued

ST. CROIX: KIDNAPPING OF BANK MANAGER ENDS WITH ASSAILANT BEING CHASED BY POLICE

VI CONSORTIUM (ST. CROIX) – V.I.P.D. Public Information Officer Toby Derima announced Friday night that today’s kidnapping and bank robbery suspect managed to evade police after leading officers on a high-speed chase. Mr. Derima said the last known location of the suspect was in the Annaly Bay area, where he managed to evade capture.  The Consortium … Continued