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00:16Good evening and welcome to the past seven days on six. I am Renessa Cutting. Here's what made
00:23the news this past week. Three SEA students attained perfect scores at the 2026 SEA. The
00:31top cop revoked the appointments of 17 police officers and the state retained two Kings
00:38Council to defend its case against the Hadids. As per usual, if it was happening, it was on six.
00:45Let's get right into it. Nine students were in Winners Row on Friday as the Ministry of Education
00:52recognized the top performers at the 2026 SEA, among them three students who all achieved perfect
01:00scores. I am Shazana Mohammed. Standing here today, I feel incredibly proud and grateful to have made
01:08a full score in the SEA 2026 examination. Yes, you did hear correctly. And she's not the only one who
01:18obtained a perfect score at the 2026 SEA. I'm pleased to announce, and you always ask this question,
01:29what was the highest score? The highest composite standard score recorded, and that's the maximum
01:38score that you could make in the 2026 SEA school entrance assessment was 253.423. And what is truly
01:52remarkable of our young achievers is that three students made that maximum score. But the ministry
02:01is reminding parents and students that the scores are subject to review. But I want to give a little
02:06warning here. As the Minister of Education and as the Ministry, we have to be very careful and fair in
02:16how
02:16the final rankings are presented. Because students and parents still have that opportunity to seek
02:26reviews of their results through CXC. So I want to say that. And so the final ranking comes after the
02:39CXC review process is completed. A total of nine students received awards from the Ministry of
02:45Education today, as the Ministry reports higher scores across the board at the SEA this year. 17,509
02:55students wrote the exam. In 2025, last year, 66.18% or 11,827 students scored above the 50%
03:13benchmark. This year, the
03:17figure improved to 70.73% of students, representing 12,384 students, an increase of 557. I think those students
03:34need a wonderful round of applause for that.
03:39But equally encouraging is that there was an increase in the above 90% achievers. In 2025, 421 students achieved
03:56scores of over 90%. In 2026, 670 students scored above 90%.
04:04A number of so-called priority schools also recorded better performances. This cohort will be the last to sit the
04:12SEA as is, as the
04:15Ministry will be moving to introduce composite scoring, comprising 70% SEA scores and 30% continuous assessment scores.
04:25This progress at the SEA has been strengthened by the introduction of the continuous assessment component that we are bringing
04:34on stream from September 2026.
04:40We've also added enhanced AI-enabled learning resources, like the SEA mathematics past paper solutions platform.
04:51Meantime, Tasia Wellington of Signal Hill Government Primary School was announced as the top SEA student in Tobago. An avid
04:59cricketer and tennis player, she was congratulated by Minister of Sport,
05:12Philip Watts, as he congratulated Tobago's top SEA student Tasia Wellington, who is an avid cricketer and tennis player. He
05:21said efforts are to be made to provide more scholarships for athletes in sport.
05:26Tasia Wellington told TV6 News her success in the SEA exam is as a result of hard work marrying academics
05:34with sport.
05:35I'm very proud to be here today because I know I put in all the hard work and I strive
05:44to succeed my goal and it happened because I put in all the work with my family members.
05:50They're supporting me, teachers like Miss Gopal, Miss Melville, Miss my principal, Miss Trisha Devines, Miss Melanie Trim and Miss
06:01Rachel James, all they're supporting me so I can reach my goal here.
06:05What do you want to become when you grow up?
06:07When I grow up I would like to be a doctor and a professional tennis player.
06:12Five of the top 20 students in Tobago hail from the Scarborough Methodist Primary School.
06:18We caught up with some of them on Friday with their teacher Petra Smith-Williams.
06:25Well at this school we are very elated today.
06:28We would have screamed and shouted at the top of our voices and it's awesome.
06:33It's an awesome experience coming out of the standard fives.
06:36We would have worked very hard and now we are reaping the rewards.
06:40I feel really excited that I was able to not only pass for my first choice bishops but I was
06:46also able to make it in the top ten for the males in Tobago.
06:49So I just feel really happy and excited.
06:50Fourteen schools were able to score above the national mean in Tobago.
06:56It should also be noted that for the first time in history seven Anglican schools were able to supersede the
07:03national mean in Tobago.
07:04Top student at the St Andrews Anglican School Aidan Thomas spoke with TV6 News.
07:11I feel very proud of myself.
07:13I feel like I went through a lot of work to get to this moment and I would like to
07:18thank everyone who helped me along the way like my parents and teachers.
07:21Tobago's top 20 students comprises 10 females and 10 males.
07:28Buku Government Primary School emerged the top performing primary school for the SEA exam followed by Castara Government Primary and
07:36Spaceside Anglican.
07:38Elizabeth Williams, TV6 News.
07:41Meantime, the National Parent Teacher Association extended a special shout out to the boys in the top nine.
07:49I'm also excited because six of those are boys and of course we are all aware that there is this
07:57lethargy with regards to boys underachievement.
08:00So that when I see boys excelling in this way I'm doubly, doubly proud and doubly pleased.
08:06I want to especially thank the principals and teachers or educators who have worked extremely hard to ensure that these
08:13results have shown gross improvement
08:15and we look forward to even greater results come 27, 28, 29 more so that we are considering the continuous
08:22assessment component.
08:24The NPTA is currently holding consultations with stakeholders as it relates to the pending introduction of the CAC as a
08:32factor in the SEA marking.
08:34However, the National Parent Body is giving its support ahead of the move.
08:39Looking at it, we are in discussions with the Ministry of Education because we think that one single exam on
08:46a particular day under conditions and circumstances
08:49which might be adverse may not cut it for our students so that the continuous assessment component, the CAC,
08:55is going to give a layer of more support to our students to be able to excel and to do
09:01better in the results at the end of the day.
09:04So you're not in consultation?
09:05Yeah, we are. We are in consultation with the Ministry and of course our current bodies as well for Trinidad
09:09and Tobago.
09:10We'll have more news when we return. Keep it here.
09:20Welcome back. The appointment of 17 police officers were revoked by the Commission of Police last week.
09:27While the TTPS did not disclose the reasons for the decision, at least nine of the officers named have previously
09:35faced criminal charges or were implicated in high-profile investigations.
09:40The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service has announced via a press release that the appointments of 17 police officers have
09:47been revoked by the Commission of Police.
09:49In a public notice, the TTPS identified the officers as Tamara Boyce, Vijay Singh, Elliot Chin, Joanne Jadu, Owen Hemley,
09:58Jalan Holder, Kizzy Thomas, Colin Murray, Christopher Gobin, Michael Alcala, Carlos Thorn, Devin Basant, Akil Smith, Desron Dillon, Sean Reid,
10:09Joff Awong and Daryl Baksh.
10:12The police officer said the notice was issued for public information and record in accordance with the administrative directions of
10:19the Commission of Police but provided no explanation for the revocations.
10:24However, court records and previous police investigations show that several of the officers named have been charged with criminal offenses
10:31over the past several years.
10:33In 2019, woman police constable Tamara Boyce pleaded guilty in Jamaica to possession of cocaine with intent to traffic.
10:41She was fined $300,000 Jamaican dollars or faced one year in prison.
10:46Woman police constable Joanne Jadu was among officers charged in connection with the alleged sale of a crashed vehicle from
10:53the compound of the Chaguanus Police Station.
10:56Officers Kizzy Thomas and Jalan Holder were charged with fraud after they were accused of accepting money to fast-track
11:02Housing Development Corporation applications.
11:05Police constable Colin Murray was among three officers charged with misbehavior in public office following allegations that officers dressed in
11:14black clothing and masks entered a Valsane home, assaulted a man and allegedly stole $40,000 in cash and cellular
11:22phones valued at approximately $14,000.
11:25Special Police officer Christopher Gobin and police constable Carlos Thorne were each granted $150,000 bail after being charged with
11:35allegedly stealing power tools valued at $14,000 from a recovered stolen vehicle.
11:42Police constable Michael Alcala also faced allegations that he assisted in the kidnapping and assault of a woman in Enterprise
11:50Chaguanus in an incident reported in May 2025.
11:54The TTPS has not indicated whether the revocations are connected to these matters, nor has it stated whether any of
12:01the officers have exercised or intend to exercise rights of appeal.
12:06TV6 has contacted the Police Commissioner for clarification on the basis of the Commissioner's decision and is awaiting a response.
12:14Efforts to also contact the Police Service Social and Welfare Association for comment proved futile.
12:20Urvashi Tawari Rupnarain, TV6 News.
12:23Meantime, the Police Complaints Authority reported over 130 complaints against police officers for the year to date.
12:32On Thursday, the TTPS announced that the appointments of 17 police officers have been revoked with immediate effect.
12:40Today, the top cop is issuing the following warning.
12:44Let it be a warning that any officer who wears this uniform and engages in criminality will face the full
12:55weight of lawful action.
12:58I will take every step necessary to remove you from this organization.
13:05The TTPS remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the highest ideals of public service.
13:15TV6 inquired of the TTPS, what were the offenses committed by the officers.
13:21However, the information was not forthcoming as of news time.
13:25Meantime, the Commissioner is seeking to make it clear that the TTPS is committed to its zero-tolerance approach to
13:32crime, regardless of rank, status, or office.
13:36My officers will pursue criminals wherever they are found.
13:42And in this service, all are equal before the law.
14:07TV6 is also awaiting information from the TTPS as to how many officers are currently under investigation.
14:14Meantime, the PCA reports over 130 complaints against police officers for the year to date,
14:23with the highest number of complaints generated in the Central Division at 32 complaints.
14:30Meantime, 2025 saw a total of 683 reports, with the Central Division recording 120 reports,
14:39followed closely by the Northern Division, with 119 reports.
14:45In other news, two British King's Council were retained by the state to lead its legal team in the matter
14:52against businessman Dominic Hadid and his wife Genevieve Hadid.
14:57This after the High Court dismissed their application for writ of habeas corpus.
15:03Two British King's Council have been retained by the state to lead its legal team in the matter involving businessman
15:10Dominic Hadid and his wife Genevieve Hadid.
15:13Two legal notices in the Gazette formally authorized Sir James Raymond E.D. Casey and Robert Stephen Strang Casey to
15:22be admitted to practice law in Trinidad and Tobago
15:26specifically for the case that Dominic Hadid and Genevieve Hadid have against the Commission of Police.
15:32The appointments were made by Attorney General John Jeremy under Section 15A of the Legal Profession Act following consultation with
15:40the Chief Justice.
15:41Sir James E.D., a barrister of the Honorable Society of Middle Temple, was admitted to practice at the Bar
15:48of England and Wales in July 1984.
15:58The move comes as government defends the legality of the Preventive Detention Orders PDOs issued against the Hadids under the
16:07Emergency Powers Regulations.
16:09Hadid, his wife Genevieve Hadid and a relative Star Sabga have been accused by the state of being involved in
16:16a conspiracy to assassinate senior members of government.
16:19Genevieve Hadid's detention order specifically alleges that she made statements calling for the death of Prime Minister Kamala Passad-Bissassar.
16:28The Hadids are represented by Senior Counsel Douglas Mendez, Gilbert Peterson, Farah Salrawi and a team of instructing attorneys.
16:36They are arguing that the initial arrests were unlawful and that the subsequent PDOs were therefore invalid.
16:44Urvashi Tamwari Ruknarain, TV6 News.
16:48This is the past seven days on 6. We'll be right back.
16:58Thanks for staying with us.
17:00Last week, NCB Merchant Bank, Trinidad and Tobago Limited confirmed that U.S. $2 million, which was seized by customs
17:09and excise officials at Piahu Airport, does belong to the bank.
17:13The bank explained that the cash was being transported in the, quote, ordinary course of business and that the shipment
17:21complied with all applicable laws, regulations and industry protocols.
17:26Chief Executive Officer Mali Acries said the bank was contacted by the Customs and Excise Division in relation to the
17:34shipment for additional verification and confirmation and said the bank complied with all requests.
17:40But the disclosure sparked widespread public debate, with many questioning why a bank would move physical cash overseas in an
17:49age of electronic banking.
17:52When most people think of moving money between countries, they think of wire transfers.
17:58But commercial banks around the world still move physical currency across international borders.
18:03Our research has revealed that these shipments are uncommon compared to electronic transfers, but they remain a normal part of
18:12international banking.
18:13Our research was based on international banking and cash-in-transit standards published by organizations such as the Financial Action
18:22Task Force, the Federal Financial Institutions Examinations Council and the World Customs Organization.
18:29Recognize authorities on these procedures.
18:32Banks may transport physical U.S. currency for several legitimate reasons.
19:03The process usually begins inside the bank's vault.
19:07The bank notes are counted using high-speed currency machines authenticated to detect counterfeit notes, sorted by denomination and bundled
19:16according to international banking standards.
19:19Every bundle is recorded and reconciled against the bank's internal cash records.
19:24The cash is then placed into tamper-evident security bags or sealed containers fitted with uniquely numbered security seals designed
19:33to show any attempt at interference.
19:35At the same time, extensive documentation is prepared.
19:40That documentation can include shipment manifests, insurance certificates, declarations of value, customs paperwork, export documentation, and detailed chain of custody
19:51records identifying every person or company responsible for handling the shipment from beginning to end.
19:58The shipment is then transferred under strict security.
20:02Rather than using an ordinary courier service, banks generally rely on special cash logistics companies that transport high-value currency
20:11worldwide using armored vehicles, trained security personnel, GPS tracking, and strict handling procedures.
20:18The cash is taken to the airport where customs officials review the relevant documentation before the shipment undergoes aviation security
20:27screening.
20:28Once cleared, it's loaded as secured cargo for transport.
20:33On arrival overseas, customs authorities process the shipment before it's delivered to the receiving bank or cash vault.
20:39The receiving institution recounts the money, verifies the seals, and documentation, authenticates the banknotes, and credits the sending bank's account.
20:49Throughout the journey, every transfer of responsibility is documented to preserve an unbroken chain of custody.
20:56Financial experts say those safeguards are designed to ensure every dollar can be accounted for from the moment it leaves
21:04the vault until it reaches its final destination.
21:07So what attracts the attention of investigators?
21:11Well, experts say transporting millions of dollars in cash is not by itself unusual for a commercial bank.
21:18Instead, investigators focus on whether every required procedure was followed.
21:23Among the questions they seek to answer are whether the shipment was properly declared to customs,
21:29whether all supporting documentation accompanied the cash,
21:33whether the shipment was insured,
21:35whether an approved cash logistics provider was used,
21:39whether security protocols were maintained throughout the journey,
21:42and whether there was a complete and verifiable chain of custody.
21:47Investigators also examine whether the shipment complied with anti-money laundering regulations,
21:52airline cargo requirements, and banking procedures.
21:56Questions may also arise about how the money was packaged.
22:00While banknotes are ordinarily expected to be secured in sealed, tamper-evident bank cash bags or security containers,
22:08experts note that an outer woven polypropylene sack,
22:12commonly known in Trinidad and Tobago as a crocus bag,
22:16may sometimes be used simply as an external protective covering during transport.
22:22On its own, the use of a crocus bag does not necessarily indicate wrongdoing.
22:27What matters is whether the cash inside remained properly sealed,
22:31documented, and continuously accounted for throughout the shipment.
22:36Ultimately, investigators assessed the totality of the circumstances,
22:40not just the amount of money or the appearance of the packaging.
22:44The focus is on whether the shipment complied with banking procedures,
22:49customs requirements, aviation security rules,
22:52and international anti-money laundering standards from departure to destination.
22:58Sport is up next. Keep it here.
23:07In sport, the West Indies completed an innings and 217-run victory over Sri Lanka last week
23:14in the first test match in Antigua.
23:17The host dismissed the visitors for 101 runs
23:21after declaring on 6-26 for 9 in their first innings.
23:25Peser Kimar Roach was the star of the show for the bowlers with four wickets
23:30in a contest where he hit a personal landmark.
23:34Here's a look back at the action.
23:36Was it the shaking of the earth in Venezuela that brought the West Indies to life?
23:41Fast bowlers rested as if bowling on a day one pitch against a Sri Lankan team
23:45dragged through the rigors of a batting avalanche on day three.
23:50Nishan Maduska still dazed from being out in the field.
23:53Sri Lanka could not find their chase or jangu,
23:57but instead Jaden Seals encountered the edge of Kassan Rajita's bat when he reached four.
24:03Kamindo Mendes then faced the wrath of leaving alone Shemar Joseph.
24:07More fire to follow.
24:12Big shout from Shemar Joseph and the umpire responds positively.
24:18It did not appear that the Pacers were playing a round
24:21and Kousal Mendes was not playing a shot either.
24:24Look at his expression.
24:26Six down at lunch with 81 runs on the board.
24:30After lunch, the sight of Kimar Roach would have caused some flatulence on an undigested meal.
24:35He came roaring in for his 298th test wicket.
24:40His 299th wicket came LBW Milan Ratnajaka.
24:45But this tops off the day.
24:48And his goal then, Kimar Roach, 300 test wicket for him.
24:55An uncompromising quality of relentless accuracy and consistency.
25:01A servant of West Indies cricket rewarded with a memorable landmark at 37 years old.
25:08Four wickets in the second innings as well.
25:11There stands but one wicket remaining.
25:14A shot to the boundary to delay the inevitable.
25:17Sri Lanka crossed the 100 mark until Jaden Seals rattled the stumps.
25:21Two wickets to his name, the West Indies have won by 217 runs
25:27and a day to spare a victory of seismic proportions.
25:32Sergio Dufour, TV6 Port.
25:34And that's a wrap on the past 7 days on 6.
25:38I am Renessa Cutting.
25:39If you didn't catch this segment in its entirety,
25:42you can find it on our website, www.tv6tnt.com
25:48and you can find all these stories and more on the TV6 mobile app.
25:53Thanks for choosing TV6 and do have a great evening.
26:11We'll see you next time.
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