JSC meets on secondary schools

THE parliamentary joint select committee (JSC) on Human Rights, Equality and Diversity will hold a virtual public inquiry from 10.30 am on Friday to discuss the right to equal access to education, focusing on underachievement, in secondary schools in Port of Spain and environs.

This JSC, which is chaired by Education Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, will discuss this issue with representatives from her ministry, the TT Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA), Association of Principals of Public Secondary Schools, Association of Government Assisted Public Secondary Schools, Corpus Christi Carmelites; and the Holy Ghost Fathers.

Other members of the committee include Minister in the Ministry of Education Lisa Morris-Julian, Social Development and Family Services Minister Donna Cox, Tunapuna MP Esmond Forde, Rural Development and Local Government Minister Kazim Hosein, Princes Town MP Barry Padarath, Opposition Senator Jearlean John and Independent Senator Hazel Thompson-Ahye.

On April 14, the Public Administration and Approprations JSC will hold a virtual public inquiry to examine the internal controls and expenditure of the Tobago Regional Health Authority. This committee is chaired by Speaker of the House of Representatives Bridgid Annisette-George.

The House sits on Friday from 1.30 pm. The main item on the agenda is debate on the Anti-Gang Bill 2021. Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi is expected to begin the debate. The bill, unlike its 2020 predecessor, only needs a simple majority for passage.