Beginning November 13, the Government will convene town hall meetings across the island in preparation for the roll-out of the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) in 2019. Scheduled to run until January 21 next year, the meetings will serve to heighten public awareness of the initiative, which is a new assessment of students at the primary level that will replace the...

Member of Parliament for North Western St. Elizabeth, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson, says 12 parish council roads in his constituency have been repaired since June 2016. “Two major roadways are currently being rehabilitated. The Middle Quarters to New Market Road is being repaired, and the Arcadia to Maggotty roadway is also under rehabilitation,” Mr. Hutchinson said, as he made his contribution...

The House of Representatives on October 31 approved a resolution extending the Zone of Special Operations (ZOSO) in Mount Salem, St. James, for a period of 60 days. The Resolution was moved by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, who explained that during this period, the Social Intervention Committee will be given space to continue the work they have...

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Deputy Resident Representative in Jamaica, Dr. Elsie Laurence-Chounoune, says the organisation remains committed to supporting the country’s quest to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are part of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which was adopted by the General Assembly in September 2015. It emphasises a holistic approach to achieving...

The Citizen Security and Justice Programme (CSJP) III has successfully implemented the first phase of a Specialised Substance Misuse Treatment programme aimed at providing youngsters with the necessary support to ensure that they can benefit from the entity’s range of educational and employment opportunities. The programme is being undertaken through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Council on...

The Government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) for the provision of technical assistance to the Ministry of Health valued at US$564,297. This will assist the Government’s plans to construct the Western Regional Children’s Hospital. The four-month consultancy will be implemented at a cost of US$146,663. It will also help...

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says Jamaica should cement its place as a global conference destination when Montego Bay hosts the ‘Global Conference on Sustainable Tourism’ from November 27 to 29. The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) conference is being held in collaboration with the World Bank Group and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) at the Montego Bay...