BERMUDA: History, culture and the environment are the focus at new education centre. A new education center located at the National Trust promises to teach children about Bermuda's "history, culture and environment." Full article

BERMUDA: School comparisons must take account of students. At the onset of this article, it may appear that I am ending the year 2008 on a sad note. Full article

BERMUDA: How come the private schools do better, with fewer staff? Again! One little nugget of information and the layers of lies and deceit that can enwrap a whole problem peel away as the problem opens up and bares itself. Full article

BERMUDA: School bullies now more ruthless than ever. The bullies are meaner, they fight gang-style and hold grudges over time. In the late 1970s the normal fights got started with two contenders facing and shooting off at the mouth. Each of the two parties had a small group standing behind them for support with each group egging on their contender to make the first shove. Full article

CUBA: Mexico Seeks Root of Youth Crime. The Mexican Senate will be analyzing Saturday the possibility of creating a law to fight the social causes leading to high crime rates in the country. Full article

JAMAICA: My 12-y-o will not go to new school.  My 12-year-old daughter will not go to her new school for children with special learning problems. She went to a school that sort of mainstreamed her and she was very comfortable. One term has now gone. What can I do. Full article

JAMAICA: Youths need to be morally empowered - Mullings. Member of Parliament for West Central St James, Clive Mullings, says that, with the current social breakdown in Jamaica, wealth in the hands of those without an understanding of self-worth is a recipe for disaster. Full article

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: Gang killings riddle 2008. The year 2008 will be remembered as the bloodiest in our nation’s 46-years as an independent nation, with over 530 murders already recorded and nine days still to go before the end of the year. Full article

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: Battling HIV/ AIDS WITH CHESS. EVERY SATURDAY, a group of eager youngsters gather to learn chess. They are challenging themselves and learning how to be masters of the game but they are also learning an important lesson — how to avoid HIV / AIDS and discrimination against persons living with the disease. Full article

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: Teen held for murder of girl, 7. A 17-YEAR-OLD Penal teenager was arrested by police in connection with the murder of seven- year-old Abigail Norman. Abigail died after being shot by a gunman who stormed into her neighbour’s home where she was playing, on December 12. Full article

US VIRGIN ISLANDS: Police to ban problem students from Festival events. In hopes of keeping the Crucian Christmas Festival season safe for all participants, the V.I. Police Department will be banning groups of students with known conflicts from attending Festival activities. Full article

US VIRGIN ISLANDS: Survey Seeks To Find Satisfaction with Special Education. The State Office of Special Education, part of the Virgin Islands Department of Education, spends millions of dollars and many hours trying to improve the lives of the territory’s special-needs children. Full article