In a letter to Prime Minister Matteo Renzi of the Republic of Italy, Prime Minister Andrew Holness has conveyed Jamaica’s deepest sympathies to the Government and people of Italy, in the wake of a devastating earthquake which has killed at least 120 persons so far. In his letter, Prime Minister Holness said Jamaica is praying for the people of Italy...

The Jamaican Foundation for Lifelong Learning (JFLL) is reporting that the country’s adult literacy rate is now at 87 per cent. Deputy Executive Director and Director of Education Services at the JFLL, Dr. Grace-Camille Munroe, said this is very positive, as the island is coming from a rate of 50 per cent in 1974. She noted, however, that Jamaica is...

Rachel Clarke and Nicolette Bailey are the 2016 National Commercial Bank (NCB) Foundation’s national scholars. They have received scholarships valued at $500,000 each year towards their tuition, accommodation and other school-related expenses, and are required to maintain a certain Grade Point Average (GPA) as stipulated by the Foundation. Hearty applause greeted the announcement last Thursday evening (August 18) at the...

The National Commercial Bank (NCB) Foundation launched its Innovative, Creative, Outstanding and Nationalistic (ICON) Scholarship on August 18. The scholarship aims to provide opportunities for students pursuing non-traditional fields of study, such as Engineering, Fashion Designing, Computer Science, Agricultural Science, Animation, Logistics and Supply Chain Management. It will also target students doing teaching degrees with majors in Mathematics and Science...

The Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI) will be expanding its curricula and programme options with its engineering department, to be launched soon. The $500-million facility, to be named FESTO Didactic Centre, will offer training in the field of industrial automation and mechatronics. Speaking with JIS News, Executive Director at the CMI, Dr. Fritz Pinnock, highlighted that the world-class centre will focus...

The National Security Council (NSC), chaired by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, is in the process of elaborating a strategic anti-crime action plan, involving an integrated and comprehensive set of measures and actions to significantly reduce crime in the country. The NSC, in the light of the urgency of the matter, has been meeting monthly, rather than quarterly as previously obtained,...

Infant, all-age, primary and junior secondary schools across the island are to benefit from a 90 per cent increase in maintenance grants at the beginning of the new school term in September. The announcement came from Education, Youth and Information Minister, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, at a Region Six Back to School meeting, held at the Cedar Grove Academy...