AGP Executive Report

Caribbean Education Oversight: The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) is flagging exam misconduct risks, including unauthorized devices, collusion and misuse of AI, while noting thousands of absences but improved overall performance. Earthquake Recovery for Schools (Colombia): Shakira visited Quibdó in Chocó and pledged $1.25 million to rebuild at least 10 schools and restore a damaged technological university, partnering with Howard Buffett and backed by Global Citizen/FIFA, Live Nation and CAF. AI in Public Health Administration (Colombia): ADRES launched PAACME to automate auditing of medical claims for traffic-accident victims and other covered incidents, using Claude on Amazon Bedrock to structure and validate complex records. Back-to-School Support (Caribbean): St. Kitts and Nevis rolled out a 2026 back-to-school voucher programme worth EC$250 per eligible child to cover uniforms and supplies. Regional Skills Push (Caribbean): CARICOM highlights a food-security and resilience agenda that also links to protecting livelihoods and development amid climate shocks like El Niño. Education Pathways (CXC): CXC also points to a new exam pathway, with a pilot in math described as “highly successful.”

Earthquake Accountability in Education: Colombia’s housing minister is facing backlash after photos showed him on a Caribbean holiday while the country grappled with a deadly 7.4 quake that destroyed nearly 27,000 homes, raising questions about how quickly officials can shift from politics to rebuilding. Education Recovery Funding: Shakira pledged at least $1.25 million to rebuild schools in quake-hit Chocó, aiming to get children back into classrooms, with support routed through her Fundación Pies Descalzos and partners including Global Citizen, Live Nation, and CAF. Regional Education Leadership: Jamaica principals are preparing for CSEC math results after schools reworked teaching, added extra math sessions, and introduced virtual and one-on-one support to lift historically low pass rates. Health Training and Humanitarian Response: Cuban-trained physicians from ELAM are supporting Colombia’s earthquake relief, highlighting how cross-border medical education is being used in emergency education-adjacent services like community recovery. Policy and Governance: The Dominican Popular Movement called Cuba diplomat expulsion “shameful,” arguing it undermines historic cooperation in health, education, and sports. Sports Education Link: A Mumbai-based FIDE coach, Praful Zaveri, was appointed to lead St Kitts and Nevis for the 2026 Chess Olympiad, underscoring how coaching and student development travel across the region.

Regional Education Ministers: CARICOM education ministers agreed on a regional plan to lift mathematics results and expand vocational skills pathways, with Guyana’s Minister Sonia Parag taking chairmanship and the Caribbean Development Bank and UWI presenting a Mathematics Enhancement Programme for primary and secondary schools. School Infrastructure: The new Arthur A. Richards PreK-8 School opened on St. Croix, part of a $264M Virgin Islands redevelopment to replace hurricane-damaged facilities, adding classrooms, labs, maker spaces, and a gym that can double as a storm shelter. Exams Results: Anguilla will host the official release ceremony for 2026 CXC results (CAPE, CSEC, CTEC and CCSLC) on Aug. 18 in a hybrid format. Humanitarian Learning Support: Castlegar Interact students are set to spend three weeks in Honduras upgrading three schools in Comayagua, including clean water systems, playgrounds, classroom painting, and covered learning space. Seismic Risk Watch: Earthquake concerns are resurfacing across South America after major quakes in Venezuela and Colombia, with experts warning Peru’s central coast could still face a potentially very large event.

Regional Education Policy & Rights: Latin American and Caribbean states will meet in Montevideo (Uruguay) Aug. 18–20 for the UN Regional Conference on Population and Development, with Amnesty warning the Montevideo Consensus must move beyond promises—especially amid attacks on gender equality and rights of women, girls and adolescents. Education & Skills Systems: CARICOM education ministers begin a 2-day meeting in Guyana, focusing on improving mathematics performance and pathways to skills development, while OECS also pushes a regional child policy and a digital learning ecosystem milestone. Disaster Response for Schools: A charity concert in Miami (Marc Anthony, Luis Fonsi and others) is raising funds for Colombia and Venezuela earthquake victims, including rebuilding homes and repairing schools and community spaces. Local Education Support: In St. Kitts and Nevis, The Joy Project ran financial literacy sessions for young girls, linking money skills to broader health and wellness programming. Governance & Accountability: Barbados’ envoy to CARICOM David Comissiong defended the Caribbean Court of Justice amid leadership controversy, stressing the court’s mandate and independence.

Education Recovery in Venezuela: Venezuela’s Bolivarian government says it’s advancing repairs at six quake-affected schools in Caracas and Miranda, with works above 35% execution at institutions including E.B.D. Josefina Daviot and Liceo Andrés Bello, aiming for the 2026-2027 school year. School Infrastructure in Guyana: Guyana Water Inc. will drill a potable water well for the new Phillipai Secondary School in Region Seven, a project estimated at about $37.0M, as the hinterland school nears completion. Teaching and Learning Focus: A Guyana education column argues the country can’t solve its math problem by treating mathematics as a passed subject; it calls for engaging math specialists to strengthen reasoning-focused instruction alongside teachers. Regional Education Leadership: CARICOM education ministers are meeting in Guyana for talks tied to regional priorities, including education policy and development. Student Support via Research: A Georgia Southern professor wins a Fulbright U.S. Scholar grant to study how developing nations build innovation systems to tackle public health challenges in Brazil, with potential spillovers for education and training. Diplomacy and Education Access: Panama appoints a new ambassador to Guyana as it prepares to open a physical embassy, a move framed around strengthening Caribbean ties that can support regional cooperation.

Regional Child Protection: OECS unveiled a Regional Child Policy and Strategic Plan 2026–2032 with UNICEF support, using a “whole-of-the-child” approach and evidence from stakeholders, parents and children to guide action through 2032. Digital Health in the Caribbean: St Kitts and Nevis deployed the National Digital Health Information System at JNF General Hospital, moving beyond paper records toward a more integrated, patient-centred system. AI Policy Push in Jamaica: A Jamaican-developed agentic AI platform, OpenJM, launched ahead of public consultations on Jamaica’s first AI policy framework, aiming to keep more data under local control while improving response reliability. CXC Results Timing (Dominica): Dominica’s education ministry says preliminary CXC 2026 May–June results will be released online Aug 18 at 12:00 AST, with students directed to the official results platform (not cxc.org). Education & Scholarship Spotlight (Caribbean): Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama praised The UWI for reparatory-justice scholarship and institution-building, highlighting its Centre for Reparation Research. STEM/Research Collaboration: CONICET researchers joined SUSTAINCrop, an EU-funded project to build a digital tool assessing the environmental footprint of bio-based crops across Latin America and Europe.

CXC Results Countdown: Dominica’s education ministry says preliminary CXC 2026 May–June exam results will be posted online Tuesday, Aug. 18 at 12:00 p.m. Atlantic time, with students urged to use the official results platform (not cxc.org) and follow the access instructions at bit.ly/mycxc-results. Disaster Response & Learning Continuity: Colombia’s 7.4 earthquake recovery continues as rescuers report signs of life around 96 hours after the quake, while officials and communities grapple with rebuilding after heavy losses. Regional Youth & Education Culture: CARICOM-backed Saint Lucia youth launched the anthology What CARICOM Means to YOUth, collecting poetry, stories, and spoken word from young contributors across member states to shape how the next generation understands the regional bloc. Court Oversight in the Caribbean: The Caribbean Court of Justice president, Winston Anderson, rejects “panel fixing” claims and says confidential disclosures are unacceptable—an issue that matters for public trust in regional institutions. Earthquake Preparedness in Schools: Peru held a nationwide multi-hazard drill simulating an 8.8 quake, with President Keiko Fujimori stressing school evacuation and regrouping protocols.

Earthquake Response in Colombia: The death toll from Colombia’s 7.4 quake has passed 270, with UNGRD facing scrutiny after it declined foreign rescue offers; damage is widespread, including thousands of schools and health facilities, as rescuers race to reach survivors. Community Relief: In Portland, Matta Cafe is raising funds by donating 10% of sales to the Red Cross for Colombia quake relief, linking diaspora support to rebuilding needs. Education Support in the Caribbean: In Trinidad and Tobago’s Debe, children received free book bags and stationery ahead of the new term, as officials launch return-to-school assistance amid rising supply costs. Judicial Independence Watch: The Caribbean Court of Justice president Winston Anderson rejected “panel fixing” claims and said leaked internal correspondence was “wholly unacceptable,” while regional leaders and commentary urge calm, not panic, as the court’s credibility matters for the rule of law. AI and Student Assessment: The Caribbean Examinations Council is tightening School Based Assessment rules as AI use raises integrity concerns, pushing schools toward responsible tech use rather than only policing. Back-to-School Costs: A US back-to-school survey says parents expect to spend about $922, with families cutting device upgrades—an affordability pressure that echoes across the region. Cultural Spotlight: Jamaica Fest in Silver Spring drew thousands for music, food and crafts, underlining how arts and community events keep Caribbean identity visible for youth and families.

Colombia Earthquake Response: Rescuers in Pereira raced to free four people from a collapsed hotel nearly four days after a 7.4 quake, as the effort shifts from finding survivors to clearing debris and tracking the missing; families described waiting for news while Venezuelan teams used thermal imaging. Disaster Impact on Schools and Health: Colombia’s quake has damaged or destroyed homes and hit schools, hospitals and community centers across hundreds of cities, with authorities reporting hundreds dead and many injured. El Niño Watch: NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center says the rapidly developing El Niño could become a “historic” event, likely reshaping weather across the Americas and dampening Atlantic hurricane activity. Biometrics and Age Checks: NIST published new results on face-based age estimation and verification, while BixeLab reported Level 3 presentation-attack and injection-attack detection evaluations for facial recognition products. Youth Football Development: In the Dominican Republic, Stany Francis Jr completed a CFU/FIFA Elite Youth Coaches Workshop, strengthening U14 coaching in the Virgin Islands. Child Policy in the Caribbean: OECS and UNICEF launched a regional child policy and strategic plan for 2026–2032, aiming to improve protection, development and well-being across Eastern Caribbean states. Cuba Aid Blocked by Sanctions Fear: A UN official in Cuba warned humanitarian deliveries are delayed as shippers and financial firms “overcomply” with US sanctions, affecting cancer drugs and water-treatment equipment. US-Cuba Military Option Paused: Reports say the US is putting a military option against Cuba on hold and leaning more on economic pressure, though the possibility of force hasn’t been ruled out. Education Ministry Transport Push: Ecuador’s education ministry is strengthening its school bus fleet ahead of the new academic year.

Earthquake Relief & Education Continuity: A 7.4 quake in Colombia has left hundreds dead and tens of thousands affected, with aid groups warning the full scale is still emerging; in parallel, a benefit concert in Miami is raising funds for rebuilding homes and repairing schools in Venezuela and Colombia. Regional Education Leadership: CARICOM education ministers are meeting in Guyana with a focus on improving math performance and building skills pathways for youth. Youth Online Safety: In Jamaica, the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition is pushing for a broad social media education campaign for minors, citing research that adolescents in Clarendon are being exposed to explicit content online. Inclusion in Health & Care: Antigua and Barbuda is opening a dedicated sickle cell unit to speed acute crisis treatment and add patient education and psychosocial support. Policy & Governance: Anacortes’ One Ocean science crew returned after a 466-day expedition across the Americas, highlighting student-led outreach tied to environmental learning. Development Implementation: Grenada’s CDB and World Bank reviewed active projects, including education, health, water, agriculture and renewable energy, to strengthen delivery.

CARICOM Education Ministers: Caribbean ministers opened a key Guyana meeting focused on “Educating for life, purpose and Caribbean progress,” with talks on micro-credentials, regional assessments, stronger math programs, and how to advance teachers and the teaching profession. Disaster-Resilient Schools: Dominica’s Atkinson Primary School (Kalina go Territory) and St Vincent’s Sandy Bay Government School received upgrades under an OECS disaster-resilient schools project, including drainage works, hurricane-ready doors, and backup power and communications so schools can keep serving communities during emergencies. Water Crisis in Puerto Rico: Puerto Rico’s drought-driven water rationing is leaving hundreds of thousands on rotating outages, with the crisis tied not just to low rainfall but also reservoir sedimentation, aging infrastructure, and management failures. Earthquake Aftermath in Colombia/Venezuela: Coverage continues on the deadly quake impacts and reconstruction pressures across the region, including how governments respond and what survivors still need. Student Safety & Policy: A lawsuit in New York alleges counselors were pushed to single out ENL students for Regents exemptions tied to “fear of deportation,” raising questions about how schools handle immigration-related stress. Regional Education Diplomacy: St Kitts and Nevis students in Taiwan used a summer camp at NanShan High School for culture, public speaking, and critical thinking tied to the island’s sustainable agenda.

CARICOM Education Ministers Meeting (Guyana): Caribbean education leaders kicked off a two-day session in Georgetown focused on whether schools build learners’ confidence to think critically and challenge the status quo, with plans to discuss micro-credentials, regional assessment approaches, math upgrades, and strengthening teachers and teaching. Colombia Earthquake Response: Colombia’s quake recovery entered a “final phase” as officials reported 265 dead, 3,494 injured, and 496 missing, with damage spanning homes, schools (1,819 educational centers affected), health facilities, roads, and bridges; President Abelardo de la Espriella also declared an economic emergency and promised reconstruction support. Korea Studies Expansion (Latin America): The Korea Foundation launched a consortium linking six universities across five countries, using credit-bearing online courses to expand Korean studies and boost scholarly exchange. Rural Energy for Livelihoods (LATAM): IRENA and partners highlighted that electrification alone isn’t enough, pushing solar-plus-storage and micro-hydro projects tied to local skills, value chains, and public policy support. Indigenous Medicinal Knowledge (Brazil): A participatory ethnobotany effort documented 175 medicinal plants with Indigenous elders, aiming to protect “living library” healing knowledge for future generations.

Colombia Earthquake Response: Aid agencies say the “true scale” of the Aug. 10 disaster is still emerging, with damaged roads and broken communications slowing help; Caritas reports deaths rising and notes education sites among damaged buildings, underscoring how schooling and child services get hit first. Misinformation Check: A viral video claiming to show Colombia’s quake was actually filmed during a Philippines earthquake two months earlier, a reminder that families need verified information during crises. Digital Agriculture for Schools & Jobs: IICA selected 15 AgTech startups for Digital Agriculture Week in Costa Rica (Sept. 7–10), including teams from Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, and others—an education-to-employment pipeline for agrifood innovation. Youth & Work: The UN’s ILO warns global youth unemployment rose to 12.4% and NEET climbed to 20%, as AI and weak job creation make the school-to-work transition harder. Education Policy Watch: In the Caribbean, St. Lucia launched Breastfeeding Awareness Month at a secondary school, linking health support to early learning and child wellbeing.

Higher Education & Exchange: The U.S. Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence program brings Colombian chemical engineering professor Giovanni Morales Medina to the University of Alabama in Huntsville for 2026-27, expanding teaching, research links, and student collaboration. Youth Diplomacy: Taiwan’s International Youth Ambassadors add drone operators for the first time, sending 45 young people to Caribbean allies (including St Vincent and the Grenadines and St Kitts and Nevis) to promote people-to-people exchanges. School & Community Support: In the Caribbean, Tobago’s secondary schools and stakeholders push back on a 2026 football league format that would reshape competition and travel costs, with officials saying the decision is still under discussion. Public Health & Learning Environments: Haiti’s Catholic Church warns that armed gangs are targeting churches and Catholic schools, forcing closures and turning some religious sites into gang bases. Research & Safety: New findings explain why Candida auris is so hard to clear—its survival inside hair follicles helps it spread in healthcare settings. Disaster Impact: Colombia’s 7.4 earthquake continues to drive urgent rescue and recovery efforts, with major loss of life reported.

Colombia Earthquake Response: A 7.4-magnitude quake hit western Colombia, killing at least 132 and injuring hundreds as rescuers search collapsed schools, homes, and health centers; the new president has declared a national emergency and announced relief for the coffee region. Education Access & Integrity: Mexico’s UNAM faced backlash after suspected AI cheating in its fully online admissions test triggered a mass retest, leaving some applicants without appointments and raising fairness concerns. School Support in the Caribbean: Dominica’s NCCU awarded scholarships to 19 secondary students, covering textbooks, uniforms, transport, and exam costs. Classroom Help via Volunteers: Five new Peace Corps volunteers were sworn in for service in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, focusing on classroom support and literacy. Airfare Affordability Debate: Guyana’s aviation operators defended domestic airfare as reflecting real costs like insurance and maintenance, after presidential pressure. Global South Research Hub: Northwestern University Qatar added seven scholars to its Institute for the Advanced Study in the Global South, expanding research and public scholarship. Regional Development Agenda: Commentary argues BRICS expansion should be judged by whether it boosts Global South agency in development, not just membership or funding.

Earthquake Response in Colombia: A magnitude 7.4 quake struck western Colombia near San José del Palmar, triggering a state of emergency as search-and-rescue teams sift through collapsed buildings in cities like Cali, Pereira and Manizales; officials report at least 111–132 deaths, hundreds injured, and damage to homes, hospitals and schools. Education & Youth Support in the Caribbean: CPL SchoolYard rolls out back-to-school activities across the region, including book-bag giveaways and school visits aimed at boosting digital literacy. Regional Academic Links: The Korea Foundation launches a university lecture series across Chile, Brazil and Colombia (Aug. 12–21) to grow Korean studies scholarship. Child Rights & Climate: UNICEF and the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre sign a five-year MoU to make climate action more child-sensitive, protecting access to education and services. Scholarships & Medical Training: St. Kitts and Nevis and Taiwan plan new medical scholarships to expand specialist training and strengthen the healthcare workforce. Back-to-School Aid: A Holland nonprofit in the U.S. is hosting a free supplies and backpack drive for local families.