AGP Executive Report

Education & Youth: Dominica is celebrating a jump in CSEC Mathematics, with results up 10 percentage points year-on-year and now 7 points above the regional average, after teacher training and curriculum support. Assessment Reform: CXC is tightening School-Based Assessment rules for AI use, adding originality checks and signed declarations, with June 2027 set as the final year for SBA submissions. Creole Season Culture: The “Flavours of the World Festival” returns to Dominica on Oct. 4 at Windsor Park, blending global food, live music, kids’ activities, and a new “Flavours of Fashion” heritage-dressing feature. Sports & Opportunity: Young athlete Omari Caesar secures an athletics scholarship to Edwin Allen High School in Jamaica, following junior record-setting performances and CARIFTA qualification. Regional Heritage & Indigenous Economy: Kalinago leaders continue talks in St. Kitts to advance a permanent Kalinago Craft Centre, aiming to create livelihoods beyond Dominica. Community & Inclusion: A UN disability-inclusive employment push, “HireAbility,” is rolling out across the Caribbean to break workplace barriers and expand decent jobs. Politics (Local): Roseau North by-election campaigning heats up as Ashma McDougall faces scrutiny amid questions over political timing and alliances.

Creole Season Spotlight: Dominica’s “Flavours of the World Festival” returns for the 2026 Creole Season on Sunday, Oct. 4 (2pm–9pm) at Windsor Park Stadium Forecourt, with global food, live music, cultural performances, kids’ activities, a VIP experience, and the return of the Archipelago Chef’s Competition plus a new “Flavours of Fashion” heritage-dress feature. Education & Youth: CXC is tightening School-Based Assessment rules for June 2026 as AI use grows, adding originality checks and signed declarations; Dominica’s CXC results also show a jump—CSEC Mathematics up 10 percentage points year-on-year, and the Chief Education Officer says this is among the island’s best recent math performances. Regional Inclusion: The UN launches the “HireAbility Campaign” across the Caribbean to break barriers and expand decent jobs for people with disabilities, backed by governments, employers, and disability groups. Culture & Heritage: Kalinago leaders continue cross-island heritage work, including plans for a Kalinago Craft Centre in St. Kitts and remembrance events honouring Kalinago history. Community & Safety (US): Florida’s “Operation Statewide Shield” reports 163 missing children recovered across multiple cities and beyond the state, with details still under investigation.

Roseau North By-Election: Dominica Labour Party rallies in Yampiece for Ashma McDougall ahead of the Sept. 7 vote, with PM Roosevelt Skerrit urging voters to return the seat and citing DLP work on housing, education, and disaster response. Education & Youth: Dominica’s June 2026 CXC exams ran across 17 centres over six weeks, with 66% of staff serving as invigilators; e-testing was used where devices and internet allowed, and two breaches led to cancelled results. Scholarships: DOMLEC pledges full five-year support for four secondary scholarship recipients, covering books, stationery, exam fees, and transport. Disability Inclusion: A UN HireAbility campaign launches across the Caribbean, pushing employers to break barriers and expand decent work for people with disabilities. Agriculture & Land Access: OECS urges governments to provide crown lands to young farmers on transparent, bank-collateral-friendly terms, with inclusion for persons with disability built into training and finance. Culture Spotlight: World Creole Music Festival returns Oct. 23–25 with Ne-Yo headlining, alongside Machel Montano, Maxi Priest, and more.

Disability & Work: The UN launched its “HireAbility Campaign” across the Caribbean to push disability-inclusive hiring, backed by a Disability Inclusive Employer’s Pledge and UN Country Teams across the region. Youth & Safety: Florida’s “Operation Statewide Shield” ended with the recovery of 163 missing minors (ages 2 months to 17) after a five-day statewide sweep that also reached other countries, with officials vowing to pursue predators. Kalinago Heritage: St Kitts and Nevis marked a Night of Remembrance for the Kalinago massacre and expulsion at Bloody Point, with Dominica’s Kalinago Chief Anette Sanford joining the torch-lighting and remembrance. Education Support: DOMLEC pledged full five-year scholarships for four secondary students, while the Adult Education Division announced its annual Skills Exhibition celebrating trades and creative skills. Culture & Music: Dominica’s World Creole Music Festival is set for Oct 23–25 with Ne-Yo headlining, and Marie-Claire Giraud released a genre-bending new album blending jazz, opera, pop and Caribbean influences. Nature & Community: A WAA movie night in Trafalgar will screen stop-motion animation shorts from a Dominica–Venezuela residency, and a regional training in critical care aims to strengthen responses to severe infections across Eastern Caribbean islands.

Education & Youth: DOMLEC is backing four secondary students for the full five-year journey, with support covering books, stationery, exam fees and transport, as the company marks 40 years of its scholarship programme. Learning & Skills: Dominica’s Adult Education Division hosts its Annual Skills Exhibition in Roseau, showcasing hands-on work from massage therapy to pastry, sewing, hair braiding and carpentry. Culture & Music: World Creole Music Festival returns Oct 23–25 at Windsor Park, with Grammy winner Ne-Yo leading a lineup that also includes Machel Montano, Maxi Priest and more; Winair is offering a 65% flight discount for festival travel. Arts Exchange: Waitukubuli Artist Association (WAA) screens Venezuelan and Dominican stop-motion animation at a free movie night in Trafalgar, part of a cross-island residency. Community & Nature: Kalinago leaders visit St Kitts to advance plans for a Kalinago craft centre, aiming to create new economic opportunities beyond Dominica. Sports & Pride: Castle Bruce Secondary student Jeremie Rolle tops CSEC results with 14 grade ones.

DOMLEC Scholarships: Dominica Electricity Services Ltd. (DOMLEC) says it will fully fund four students through all five years of secondary school, with support covering books, stationery, exam fees and transport. UWI Global Campus Leadership: Dr. Gaile Gray-Phillip has been appointed Deputy Director of UWI Global Campus sites, while Dr. Roger Nesbeth takes on Director of Human Resources. World Creole Music Festival Buzz: Winair announces a 65% flight discount to Dominica for WCMF (Oct 23–25), and organisers confirm Grammy winner Ne-Yo as a headliner. Adult Learning Showcase: The Adult Education Division’s annual Skills Exhibition opens in Roseau today, highlighting trades like pastry, sewing, hair braiding and carpentry. Kalinago Regional Craft Talks: Kalinago Council members visit St. Kitts to advance plans for a Kalinago craft centre aimed at creating new opportunities beyond Dominica. Youth Safety Outreach: Police visited Chances emergency shelter to talk with children about safe choices, peer pressure and responsible decision-making. Agriculture Resilience: Portsmouth’s Tissue Culture Laboratory is boosting plant production and helping secure planting material for disaster recovery. Culture & Creativity: WAA hosts a free stop-motion animation movie night with visiting Venezuelan artists, and EPIC’s Seas & Scenes photo contest has a final week to enter.

World Creole Music Festival: Grammy winner Ne-Yo is set to headline Dominica’s WCMF, running Oct 23–25 at Windsor Park, with Machel Montano, Maxi Priest, Alkaline, Skillibeng and more on the bill. Festival travel perk: Winair is offering 65% off flights to Dominica for the festival (promo code WM65YRS). Kalinago culture & craft: Kalinago Chief Anette Sanford and Councilor Miranda visited St Kitts to push for a Kalinago craft centre that would create regional opportunities for Kalinago artisans. Local arts exchange: Waitukubuli Artist Association hosts a free Venezuelan/Dominican stop-motion animation movie night in Trafalgar on Aug 30. Education & skills: Adult Education Division’s annual Skills Exhibition opens Aug 28 in Roseau, showcasing trades from pastry and sewing to carpentry. Scholarships: DOMLEC marks 40 years of its scholarship programme with four new secondary recipients. Nature & heritage: A commentary spotlights Dominica’s endemic barn owl, including local names and its role in island ecosystems. Agriculture spotlight: FAO named Dominican farmer Gilles Carbon-Jno Baptiste a “Women Hero” in agrifood systems. Health & preparedness: ODM says 190 primary students completed its 2026 disaster preparedness summer programme. US immigration ripple: A US court struck down a Trump immigrant visa ban affecting 75 countries, including Dominica, while the US also paused new visa processing worldwide.

World News, Human Safety: Florida’s “Operation Statewide Shield” recovered 163 missing children in the largest sweep in state history, with ages from 2 months to 17 years and recoveries across multiple U.S. cities and even abroad, while authorities say many were abused, neglected, exploited or exposed to trafficking. Community Policing: Dominica police visited the Chances emergency shelter to talk with children about safe choices, peer pressure, drugs and alcohol, and responsible decision-making. Kalinago Culture & Craft: Kalinago Chief Anette Sanford and Councilor Miranda met in St. Kitts to push a Kalinago craft centre aimed at creating opportunities for Kalinago people outside Dominica. Nature & Heritage: A new commentary spotlights the Dominica barn owl, including local names and its role as a resident breeder and nocturnal predator. Education & Skills: The Adult Education Division’s annual Skills Exhibition opens in Roseau, while DOMLEC marks 40 years of scholarships with four new secondary recipients. Arts & Music: Ne-Yo is set to headline Dominica’s World Creole Music Festival (Oct 23–25), and Dominica-born vocalist Marie-Claire Giraud released a genre-bending new album. Regional Health Preparedness: PAHO/WHO training strengthened critical care skills for severe infections across Eastern Caribbean countries, including Dominica. Agriculture Spotlight: FAO named Dominican farmer Gilles Carbon-Jno Baptiste a “Women Hero” for agrifood systems leadership. Youth & Learning: 190 primary students completed ODM’s disaster preparedness summer programme, learning hazards and emergency response through hands-on activities.

World Creole Music Festival: Ne-Yo headlines Dominica’s WCMF, running Oct. 23–25 at Windsor Park, with Machel Montano, Maxi Priest, Alkaline and more on the bill. Travel & Culture: Winair is offering 65% off flights to Dominica for festival travel (promo code WM65YRS). Arts & Community: WAA hosts a free Venezuelan–Dominican stop-motion animation movie night in Trafalgar on Aug. 30, part of the Cayapa/Koudmen residency exchange. Local Talent: Dominica-born vocalist Marie-Claire Giraud releases a genre-bending album blending jazz, opera, pop and world music. Education & Skills: Adult Education Division’s annual Skills Exhibition opens Aug. 28 in Roseau, showcasing hands-on training from massage therapy to carpentry. Scholarships: DOMLEC marks 40 years of support with four new secondary-school scholarship recipients. Agriculture & Resilience: Portsmouth’s Tissue Culture Laboratory is boosting plant production and disaster-ready seed storage. Nature & Heritage: A commentary spotlights the Dominica barn owl, including local names and its role as an endemic predator. Regional Links: Kalinago council members visit St. Kitts to advance a Kalinago craft centre proposal. UWI Leadership: Dr. Gaile Gray-Phillip is appointed Deputy Director of UWI Global Campus sites.

Kalinago Culture & Craft: Kalinago Chief Anette Sanford and Councilor Miranda are in St Kitts to push a new Kalinago craft centre, aiming to create economic opportunities for Kalinago people beyond Dominica, with plans also to take part in a remembrance ceremony for Chief Tegre. World Creole Music Festival Buzz: Dominica’s WCMF returns Oct. 23–25 at Windsor Park, with Grammy winner Ne-Yo leading a lineup that also includes Machel Montano, Maxi Priest, Alkaline and Skillibeng; Winair is offering 65% off flights with code WM65YRS. Local Arts Exchange: The Waitukubuli Artist Association hosts a free WAA movie night in Trafalgar on Aug. 30 (7pm) as part of a Dominica–Venezuela stop-motion animation residency. Adult Learning Showcase: The Adult Education Division’s annual Skills Exhibition runs Aug. 28 (10am–4pm) in Roseau, featuring hands-on work from massage therapy to carpentry. Education Support: DOMLEC marks 40 years of scholarships by awarding four secondary-school recipients, covering books, fees and transport for up to five years. Nature & Heritage: A commentary spotlights Dominica’s endemic barn owl, including local names and its role as a nocturnal predator. Agriculture & Resilience: Portsmouth’s Tissue Culture Laboratory is expanding plant production to support farmers and disaster recovery with secure seed storage. Youth Outreach: Police visited Chances emergency shelter to talk safe choices, peer pressure, and responsible decision-making.

Elections & Community Updates: Mahaut electors in the F01-Massacre polling district can now collect voter ID cards at the Massacre confirmation centre (cream building by the highway, opposite the Catholic church cemetery), with pickup running Friday Aug. 28 (10am–6pm) and Saturday (10am–6pm), and authorisation required for anyone collecting on another person’s behalf. UWI Leadership: Dr. Gaile Gray-Phillip has been appointed Deputy Director of UWI Global Campus sites, effective Aug. 1, 2026, bringing long experience in distance education and higher education leadership. World Creole Music Festival Buzz: Dominica’s WCMF returns Oct. 23–25 at Windsor Park Sports Stadium, with Grammy winner Ne-Yo headlining alongside Machel Montano, Maxi Priest, Alkaline, Skillibeng and more, plus a Winair 65% flight discount for festival travel. Adult Learning & Skills: The Adult Education Division’s annual Skills Exhibition is set for today (10am–4pm) at 22 Kennedy Avenue, showcasing hands-on work from massage therapy to pastry, sewing, hair braiding and carpentry. DOMLEC Scholarships: DOMLEC marked its 40-year scholarship programme by awarding four secondary-school scholarships to students from across the wider community, supporting up to five years with books, fees and transport. Arts Exchange: WAA hosts a free movie night in Trafalgar on Aug. 30 (7pm) as part of a Dominica–Venezuela stop-motion animation residency. Agriculture & Food Systems: FAO has named Dominican farmer Gilles Carbon-Jno Baptiste a “Women Hero in Agrifood Systems,” recognising decades of sustainable farming and local market supply. Youth Safety Outreach: Police visited the Chances emergency shelter to talk with children about safe choices, peer pressure, and responsible decision-making. Culture Landmark: Dominica plans a 23-foot brass Sisserou Parrot statue at the cable car summit, aiming to make it the world’s tallest and largest parrot statue.

Mahaut Constituency: Voter ID cards are now available for electors in polling district F01 (Massacre), with pickup at the Massacre confirmation centre (cream building by the highway, opposite the Catholic cemetery) today (10am–6pm) and Saturday (10am–6pm), and anyone collecting for another person asked to bring a notarized authorization letter. UWI Global Campus Leadership: Dr. Gaile Gray-Phillip has been appointed Deputy Director of UWI Global Campus sites, while Dr. Roger Nesbeth was named Director of Human Resources, both effective August 1, 2026. World Creole Music Festival Buzz: Grammy winner Ne-Yo headlines WCMF in Dominica (Oct 23–25 at Windsor Park), with Machel Montano, Maxi Priest, Alkaline, Skillibeng and more; Winair also announced a 65% fare discount to Dominica using promo code WM65YRS. Adult Learning & Skills: The Adult Education Division holds its annual Skills Exhibition today (10am–4pm at 22 Kennedy Avenue, Roseau), showcasing hands-on work from massage therapy, pastry, sewing, hair braiding and carpentry. DOMLEC Scholarships: DOMLEC marked its 40-year scholarship programme by awarding four secondary school scholarships to students from across the wider community. Arts Exchange: Waitukubuli Artist Association hosts a free Venezuelan–Dominican stop-motion animation movie night in Trafalgar on Aug 30 (7pm), as part of the Cayapa/Koudmen residency. Agriculture & Food Systems: FAO named Dominican farmer Gilles Carbon-Jno Baptiste among its inaugural 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems, and Dominica’s Tissue Culture Laboratory is set to boost plant production and disaster-ready seed storage. Culture & Community: Dominica-born vocalist Marie-Claire Giraud released a genre-bending album blending jazz, opera, pop and world music.

Education & Youth: DOMLEC marks 40 years of scholarships by awarding four secondary-school recipients—Merjhana Guiste (Portsmouth Secondary), Daville Alexander and Kira Bertrand (Dominica Grammar), and Kaley Fabien (Arthur Waldron SDA Academy)—with support for up to five years. Arts & Community: Waitukubuli Artist Association (WAA) hosts a free stop-motion animation Movie Night in Trafalgar on Aug 30, as part of a Dominica–Venezuela Cayapa/Koudmen residency exchange. Culture & Music: Winair offers a 65% flight discount to Dominica for the World Creole Music Festival (Oct 23–25), using promo code WM65YRS. Photography: EPIC’s Seas & Scenes: Love the Caribbean contest enters its final stretch, with entries due Aug 31 and prizes across four categories plus Audience Choice voting. Health & Regional Capacity: PAHO/WHO and partners train Eastern Caribbean clinicians to strengthen critical care skills for severe infections and pandemic preparedness. Agriculture & Resilience: Dominica’s Tissue Culture Laboratory boosts plant production and helps safeguard planting material for disaster recovery. Public Safety: Police youth outreach at Chances emergency shelter focuses on safe choices, peer pressure, and responsible decision-making.

Photography & Community Culture: EPIC’s second annual “Seas & Scenes: Love the Caribbean” photo contest is in its final stretch, with entries due Aug. 31 and more than US$3,000 in prizes across four categories plus an Audience Choice vote. Education & Youth Support: DOMLEC has awarded scholarships to four students heading into secondary school, backing local learners for the next five years. Arts Exchange: The Waitukubuli Artist Association (WAA) is hosting a free stop-motion animation movie night in Trafalgar on Aug. 30 as part of a Dominica–Venezuela residency. Music Spotlight: Dominica-born vocalist Marie-Claire Giraud has released a genre-bending new album blending jazz, opera, pop and world music. Festival Travel Boost: Winair is offering 65% off flights to Dominica for the World Creole Music Festival (Oct. 23–25), using promo code WM65YRS. Agriculture & Heritage: FAO has named Dominican farmer Gilles Carbon-Jno Baptiste a “Women Hero in Agrifood Systems,” citing decades of sustainable, community-focused farming. Disaster Preparedness for Kids: ODM’s 2026 summer programme has wrapped up for 190 primary students, teaching practical emergency response and safety skills. Health & Community Care: ACSOM says it will expand medical outreach in Dominica through more health fairs and screenings, especially for hypertension and diabetes. Big Regional Culture Moment: Caribbean Music Awards is moving its 2026 celebration to Trinidad & Tobago’s NAPA on Sept. 19. Dominica Landmark Plans: Dominica’s cable car project is set to feature a massive 23-foot brass Sisserou Parrot statue as a new tourism icon.

US Visa Pause: The Trump administration has suspended new immigrant visa processing worldwide, with cancelled appointments tied to a State Department “global training” for consular screening. Child Safety Outreach: Dominica Police visited the Chances emergency shelter to talk with children about safe choices, peer pressure, drugs and alcohol, and responsible decision-making. Florida Missing-Child Sweep: Florida’s “Operation Statewide Shield” recovered 163 missing children aged 2 months to 17 across multiple US regions and abroad, with authorities warning more arrests are coming. Dominica Recognition in Agrifood: Capuchin farmer Gilles Carbon-Jno Baptiste was named an FAO “Women Hero” for agrifood systems leadership. Education & Skills: Dominica’s Adult Education Division will host a skills exhibition, while 190 primary students recently completed an ODM disaster preparedness summer programme. Agriculture Boost: Portsmouth’s Tissue Culture Laboratory is set to produce over 500,000 plants yearly to strengthen farming resilience. Culture & Media: Dominica’s Stage 32 partnership aims to expand audio-visual training, and Black Island Girl launched a Caribbean-wide search for a red-carpet media correspondent. Travel Policy Ripple: A US federal judge struck down Trump’s visa ban affecting 75 countries, including Dominica, while Canada tightens document and identity checks for Dominica and other CBI-linked Caribbean states.

Agrifood Recognition: Dominican farmer Gilles Carbon-Jno Baptiste of Capuchin has been named an inaugural FAO “100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems,” praised for decades of sustainable production and community impact. Arts & Media: Dominica is partnering with Stage 32 to boost local audio-visual training, helping filmmakers and industry professionals access international education and certification. Disaster Preparedness for Kids: 190 primary students have completed Dominica’s ODM 2026 Summer Programme, learning hazards and emergency response through hands-on activities and creative exercises. Health Outreach: ACSOM says it will deepen community healthcare engagement with more health fairs, screenings, and closer collaboration with local doctors and hospitals. Agriculture Capacity: Portsmouth’s Tissue Culture Laboratory is set to produce over 500,000 high-quality plants yearly, supporting farmers with planting material and disaster recovery storage. Adult Skills Showcase: The Adult Education Division will host its Annual Skills Exhibition on Aug. 28, featuring work from courses like massage therapy, pastry, sewing, hair braiding, and carpentry. Culture & Tourism Landmark: Dominica plans a 23-foot brass Sisserou Parrot statue for the cable car summit, aiming to make it a major visitor attraction. Education Leadership: UWI Global Campus Dominica will induct new student and alumni executives on Sept. 3, with “Leading with Empathy” as the theme.