 Welcome to NTA Nightly, I am Genelle Norvell, this edition's top story. The Ministry of Education is set to launch an education platform. St. Lucia is closer to achieving a sustainable COVID-19 vaccine policy and the Seven Crop Programme realises another milestone. The Ministry of Education is set to launch an education platform later this year and has been developed specifically to enable educators in classroom presentation and interactive assignments among other functions. Come on, Mark, report. The Government of St. Lucia has taken another step towards greater efficiency, this time in the education sector. Through a collaboration with the Government of Taiwan, the Government of St. Lucia has introduced the Education Platform project. The platform is a digital tool that addresses the needs of students, teachers and school administrators. Michelle Charles is the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology and Vocational Training. The primary objective of this interface is to provide a centralised and secure an open resource environment for teachers, students and parents to interact, communicate and collaborate for the well-being of our students. Not here, the involvement of parents and embracing of what that demographic can add to the development of our students. Parental involvement is critical to students' success you will agree and this platform will allow parents access to the learning and performance reports of their children as well as assisting in identifying the child's status and needs. The platform provides students with online learning courses, multimedia material as well as the online test and assignment to reflect their learning performance. At the opening ceremony for the teacher training workshop for the platform, His Excellency Peter Chen spoke on Taiwan's contribution to the education sector. He said the education platform is one of the four components of the ICT in Education Development project designed especially for St. Lucia. The system can show the students attendance report and say now interactive assignment, conduct online test and collect student reports. It is a hybrid classroom management system to monitor, track and report students' learning and performance. I would encourage all the participants to master and manage the use of education platform and by using we can accelerate the transition of schools in St. Lucia into education. Taiwan has purposely supported all projects that will bring innovation to St. Lucia. Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education Honourable Dr Pauline Antoine Prospe thanked the government of Taiwan for their continued support and highlighted the importance of training teachers to utilize the new platform. We are aware of our actions to teachers and principals to learn and be prepared to teach teachers and principals who are not as fortunate to participate in these two big workshops. The project is initially being piloted in seven schools and by 2022 will be rolled out across the country. From the Government Information Service, I'm Hermedi Mark reporting. St. Lucia is well on its way to ensuring it gives a sustainable COVID-19 vaccine policy in country. More in this report from Fernelle Nepeune. The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs recently engaged stakeholders in a consultation on COVID-19 vaccine policy, aimed at addressing vaccine hesitancy and improving vaccine coverage in St. Lucia. Chief Medical Officer Dr Sharon Belma George says she's very pleased that the consultation provided an opportunity for the public to be involved in the decision-making process as to foster acceptability of the COVID-19 vaccine. The majority of the consultation was given us a chance to listen to the voice of the various stakeholders. So it ranged from those members who were completely against the use of the vaccines and they were able to give us what some of their fears were, what some of their concerns were and they also indicated how they would prefer vaccines to be rolled out, how they wanted it to be made available to the public. So we did take note of the viewpoints of a lot of those stakeholders and we invited them in one week to provide their position paper which we are going to use to guide so that the Cabinet can get a feel of the opinions and the ideas and the views of the various stakeholders for the information. An atomic haul pathologist Dr Stephen King says he was delighted to participate in this consultation and to hear the feedback from the public. It went through a whole series of emotions. There was a lot of disagreement, a lot of conversation. But I think I was watching the important because none of us have the absolute truth and it's only together that we can find the best way forward. The other thing I think that struck me was the need for information, the need to have more of these kinds of dialogues, the need to engage people more. The more we educate, the more we engage, in fact the more we become educated because I don't have all the information knowledge. I learned in that consultation speaking to people. Dr Sharon Belma George also said it is important to continue the promotion of Stick Holder Dialogue as to chart a roadmap for recommendation on the vaccine policy. So this is the first of others to come and especially since the new vaccine, the Pfizer vaccine will be available from 12 years and older we are hoping to have another consultation but this time with our local pediatricians and with the Ministry of Education as well on board to guide and to have a discussion because we have to allow parents as well to voice their concerns. We have to let teachers voice their concerns as well. So we need to look at every Stick Holder to ensure that their voice is heard. The Ministry of Health thanks the Stick Holders including the medical fraternity, legal fraternity, trade union federations, business sector, tourism sector, community leaders and the media to name a few for their participation in this consultation. Reporting from the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs, I am Fennel Neptune. The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs in the wake of increased COVID-19 cases on Ireland is urging the public to adhere to all safety protocols. The Ministry for the Period March 2022 present has confirmed a total of 7,232 cases in country and 97 deaths. Some 1,187 new cases were diagnosed over the last 14 days. The daily infection rate for the past week was 61.4 for 100,000 per day with an average of 111.2 cases per day. In relation to this new wave from July 13, 2021, a total of 1,791 persons were positive. 52% are in the age group 25 to 49 years. 58% of the cases are female. The majority of cases are from castries, Bruce Lee and Denry. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sharon Belmar George indicated that based on contact tracing data, the majority of cases diagnosed are related to social activities. The Ministry she explained is bolstering the public health system so as to manage the increase in cases. The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs is working to strengthen the public health system to continue managing the increased COVID-19 cases. The Pan-American Health Organization has expressed support in ensuring the necessary PPE test kits and technical support is available in country. We continue to note high numbers as we test the contacts of cases. Based on the long incubation period of this virus, we forecast that these numbers will continue until we note a reduction in the rate of increase, possibly by next week. The response this last weekend by the public was promising and we asked the public to continue working with us and to exhibit responsible behavior to manage this fourth wave. In the past week, the Ministry of Health has collaborated with the Miniverse Association, Chamber of Commerce, Horizon Sector and the St. Lucia Medical and Dental Association. These meetings were targeted to discuss and strengthen collaborations and efforts in reducing the risk and managing the spike in COVID-19 cases. The Ministry of Health is also working closely with the Ministry of Education to advise on the status of school reopening. At present, both the Pfizer and the AstraZeneca vaccines are available free of charge in country at the various wellness centers. Vaccination remains the most effective public health measure in managing infectious diseases. To date, from the positive cases diagnosed in country, 1.66% have been fully vaccinated. These vaccines have been proven to be safe and effective in protecting persons from developing COVID-19. It severe forms, complications, hospitalizations and death. We continue to urge the public to access the various sites to get immunized at the soonest. Encourage your family and friends to get immunized so we can all be protected. We continue to advise the public to remain vigilant as the increased transmission and risk of the variants of concerns is present. Let us all adhere to the protocols that are put in place to keep us safe. These include regular hand washing, the user face masks in public places, avoiding crowds and persons with respiratory symptoms, and keeping frequently touched surfaces clean. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sharon Belmar George. The Department of Agriculture in collaboration with the Taiwan Technical Mission through the Seven Crops project has successfully completed a watermelon trial and sampling in Magritu, Nifu. As part of an experiment for the introduction of new watermelon types in St. Lucia, eight different varieties of watermelons, as well as seven different varieties of cantaloupes and honeydew, were planted in June of this year. The watermelon trial forms part of the enhancement of the efficiency of production and distribution supply chains in the fruits and vegetables sector project, better known as the Seven Crops project, with the overall aim of reducing the food import bill this can be achieved through the introduction of new varieties due to the increased yields and pest and disease tolerance. The new watermelon types will also broaden the range available on the St. Lucia market in order to better meet consumer desires. Project coordinator of the Seven Crops project, Adli Nudovic, explains that the watermelon trial also seeks to curb the shortcomings in the production and marketing chain, such as the shelf life and quality of watermelons. This trial is not done in isolation of the issues identified, okay? So now we are able to have a wider base of greater selection to choose from knowing the characteristics of these crops here. Obviously, we could see what works and what doesn't work and when it's replicated in other farms, we could understand that which ones that we could go ahead with to address the issues identified by the marketplace. Under the Seven Crops project, demonstration plots have been set up around the island. Watermelon trial farmer Bernard Jabatiste encouraged farmers to take advantage of the opportunity being offered to gain experience diversifying into these new varieties. So far, I must say I've learnt a lot from the trials and from what those persons have explained with the different varieties. I think it's a good thing for some of the other farmers to try some of these crops so that we can supply the market because as we know a lot of our produce is still being imported and we need to try and cut on that supply. Parliamentary representative from Maycud North, Honourable Jeremiah Norbert expressed his satisfaction with the trial stating that capturing the interest of their youth is critical to ensuring the sustainability of initiatives like this. I would love to see even younger farmers get involved in this initiative, play their role because I mean people like Mr. Boogland, they've given their whole life, they've dedicated their entire life to agriculture and I think right now we have the responsibility to educate our young people, let them see the value in agriculture so that agriculture becomes something that is attractive to them and I think this initiative is one that is, if we sell it properly, our young people can buy into it and see the benefits that they can get from it. Acknowledging the continuous successes of the Seven Crops project, the Department of Agriculture maintains its commitment to improving the agriculture sector in St. Lucia. From the communications unit of the Ministry of Agriculture, I am Anisia Antoine reporting. This is Indian Nightly. Primal Pudgington is up next. Stay with us. We are working parents and we breastfeed both babies exclusively. Mother's breast milk is naturally the best milk for baby. Love yourself and love your baby. Breastfeeding saves me money and it's free. Every moment I breastfeed strengthens the bond between me and my baby. I breastfed twin boys and lost all my baby fats. We are breastfed and we have breast milk power. I am Pastor Alvin and I support breastfeeding. For more information, call the Nutrition Unit of the Ministry of Health and Wellness at 468-5359. Welcome back. We join Prime Minister Hutchinson for the NTIA Nouvelle-à-Cueyol. Mr. Lieutenant General, Mr. Prime Minister of the Department of Agriculture for information to the government for the GIS, for the national television for NTIA Nouvelle-à-Cueyol, for the Prime Minister. The government is here. There is work to advance the implementation of this program in a way to control tobacco, cigarettes, and other forms of smoking. This is done by a national program to control cigarette services in a way that people can smoke in the country. This is possible and it's a very good organization. It's a Bloomberg plan-trophies initiative and also a very good organization to create a union against tuberculosis and long-disease. This is done by the GIS for tobacco, cigarettes, and other forms of smoking. This is done by addressing all the issues associated with it. This is done by building an organization for those diseases who live and who are living all their lives. This is also done by any cause of death. This is done by following all international, regional, and national plots to support, pass, and implement effectively all these plots to be implemented and to address all the needs to be prevented from happening. This is done by the GIS for tobacco, cigarettes, cigarettes, cigarettes, cigarettes, cigarettes, cigarettes, cigarettes, cigarettes, cigarettes, cigarettes, cigarettes, cigarettes, cigarettes, cigarettes, cigarettes, cigarettes, cigarettes, cigarettes, cigarettes, cigarettes, cigarettes, cigarettes, cigarettes, cigarettes, cigarettes, cigarettes, cigarettes, cigarettes, cigarettes, cigarettes, cigarettes, cigarettes, cigarettes, cigarettes, cigarettes, I had a piece because it was so old. I have been in the army for a long time. I had to fight with the soldiers, because I was a part of the army. I had to bring some food to the village. I had to eat the food and go to the village for three days. we have been at the shelter for a year. So, I'm going to try to help them out. But I have a friend who works with us. He is the application for B.O.C. We are going to help them out. We are going to help them out. We are going to help them out. We are going to help them out. We are going to help them out. We are going to help them out. But we remain little. We are going to help them out. But we remain little. Because I'm working with the nationalxxxEO. But I'm working with the nationalixxEO. But I'm working with the nationalxxxEO but I remain little. I think we will find an inspector to help check that specialized system and provide information on where we are. We are going to help them out. I'm I'm I'm I'm I'm I'm I'm I'm I'm I'm I'm I'm I'm I'm I'm I'm I'm I'm and east in near 21 miles per hour or 33 kilometers per hour. The weather is fair to partly cloudy and hazy with a few showers. Seas moderate to locally rough with waves, 5 to 7 feet or 1.5 to 2.1 meters. Small craft operators and sea beavers are advised to exercise caution due to brisk winds, locally rough seas and reduced visibility. A bloom of Saharan dust will continue to cause reduction in visibility and air quality across the Lesser Antilles over the next few days. Persons with respiratory ailments and dust allergies are advised to take the necessary precautions. Two tropical waves located over the central and eastern tropical Atlantic are moving westward at about 15 miles per hour or 24 kilometers per hour. Both of these systems have a low chance of tropical cyclone formation during the next two days. That brings us to the end of Indian Nightly. Join us next time at 7 p.m. with a repeat at 7 a.m. You can also catch up with us anytime on the St. Lucia Government Facebook page or YouTube channel. I am Donald Norvell.