Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, says Jamaica has universal enrolment of children in school up to age 16. This is according to the 2015 Survey of Living Conditions, which measures the living standards of Jamaicans. Speaking at a post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House on Wednesday (October 4), Senator Reid said the findings also...

The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information has announced improvements in the results for this year’s Grade Four Literacy and Numeracy tests. Speaking at today’s (October 6) sitting of the Senate, Portfolio Minister, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, informed that 84.6 per cent of all the candidates who sat the Grade Four Literacy Test received a level of mastery, while...

The Jamaica Productivity Centre (JPC) will host a conference on October 19 geared at providing public- and private-sector organisations with the tools necessary to maximise efficiency, effectiveness and profitability in a sustained way. The Productivity and Continuous Improvement Conference involves partnership with Make Your Mark Consultants, and will be held at The Knutsford Court Hotel on Chelsea Avenue in New...

Senior Advisor, Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology, Trevor Forrest, says a feasibility study to determine Jamaica’s readiness for the establishment of a Science and Technology (S&T) Park has been completed and is now being reviewed. Portfolio Minister, Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley, made mention of the study in his Sectoral presentation earlier this year. Mr. Forrest, who was speaking...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Shahine Robinson, has commended household helpers for their dedication and tireless service to their employers. “Your work as caregivers, gardeners, nannies, cooks, handymen, and the list goes on, is indispensable to the running of Jamaica’s economy.  We salute you for your tireless and often overlooked work,” the Minister said, as she addressed the...

Finance and the Public Service Minister, Hon. Audley Shaw, says energy diversification, with increased use of renewable solutions, is a strategic priority of the Government in order to achieve sustainable economic growth. The country’s National Energy Policy of 2009-2030 speaks to Jamaica having a secured, diversified and sufficient supply of energy, which will, in turn, support long-term economic and social...

Maranatha Ministries International, in association with Kingston 11 communities and other stakeholders, will be hosting a Unity Parade on Heroes Day (October 16) under the theme ‘Love in Our Hearts, Peace in the City’. It is envisaged that the parade will help to heal hurting community members and bring forth an atmosphere of unity and peace. Counselling sessions, health checks,...

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, is calling for more local investment in European Plan (EP) hotels along Gloucester Avenue in Montego Bay, St. James, popularly known as the ‘Hip Strip’. Addressing members of the Montego Bay business sector in the city on July 28, the Minister said while he is not discouraging local investments in large hotel projects, the...

Twelve software engineering students are receiving practical job experience by working with international companies over the summer. This is under the ‘Calico Open Source Software Development Project,’ which is being undertaken by the Diaspora Technology Task Force in the United States in partnership with the Palisadoes Foundation. Task Force member, Kimone Gooden, told the JIS News that the initiative, introduced...