More

Education Minister, Andrew Holness, has emphasised the need for the development of a culture of measurement and evidence-based evaluation, within the education sector. This, he said, is key to underpinning the thrust towards a greater accountability on the part of teachers. Speaking at the launch of the Jamaica School Administrative System (JSAS) 7.0 software, at the Drews Avenue Primary School...

The capability of the Renal Dialysis Unit, at the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH), has been boosted with the donation of renal equipment by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Delroy Chuck and his wife Patricia. The items include four haemodialysis chairs, a hand-held Doppler and a portable electrocardiogram (ECG) machine. Addressing the handing over ceremony yesterday (Nov. 5) at...

The House of Representatives, approved a Resolution on November 4, seeking amendment to Regulations, to facilitate access to the Airport Improvement Fund (AIF), to repay loans to the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). The loans have been used to refinance short-term bridging finance, used for direct construction and contractor payments for Phase 1A of capital...

Executive Director of the Jamaica 4-H Clubs, Lenworth Fulton, has mentioned plans for the redevelopment of the Denbigh 4-H Training Centre in May Pen, Clarendon. "We have just developed a fairly decent document asking for assistance to build a 350-room dormitory at Denbigh. We are going to add a multi-purpose dormitory and another kitchen," he said. Mr. Fulton was addressing...

The laws protecting children from abuse and neglect will be discussed at a community meeting, scheduled to take place at Nutts River Square (near Beresford Ward's Shop) in Morant Bay, St. Thomas tomorrow (Nov. 6). The meeting, which will begin at 6:00 p.m, is being organised by the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), in collaboration with the Morant Bay Development Area...

Cabinet has approved a proposed amendment to Section 9 of the Retiring Allowances Legislative Act, to facilitate payment of a pension to Parliamentarians, who opt out of the pension scheme for civil servants, by requesting and securing contribution refunds. Speaking at a post-Cabinet media briefing at Jamaica House, on November 5, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and...

Minister of National Security, Senator Trevor MacMillan, has said that with 80 per cent of all crimes in Jamaica related to gang activity, the idea of criminalizing gang membership should be considered a priority in the fight against crime. "Gangs are a major contributor to murders and shootings, accounting for over 40 per cent of murders. There are many murders...

The Portland Fire Brigade, recently carried out inspections of several homes in the parish, to ensure compliance with fire safety measures and procedures. The inspections, which were conducted at households in the districts of Cascade, Tranquility, Spring Hill, Windsor Forest and surrounding areas, were part of activities to mark Fire Awareness Week, from October 26 to November 1 under the...

Six Crane trucks were recently commissioned by the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), for use in its clean-up activities. The vehicles are specialised units and will be dispatched to all the regional offices of the Authority, according to Managing Director, Joan Gordon Webley. These new units will be integrally involved in the National Community Clean-Up exercise, which commenced on...

Jamaica and the United Kingdom (UK), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which is expected to boost the country's capacity to rehabilitate and reintegrate local offenders and deported persons in society. According to the Minister of National Security, Senator Colonel Trevor MacMillan, some 2.9 million Pounds Sterling is attached to the MoU, which will span three years. "Through the...

Prime Minister, Bruce Golding, has issued a policy directive to the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), that it should seek to divest assets that it has already developed, and which are no longer strategically important to its role. The proceeds from such divestments, he said, should be used to finance new developments in other areas. Mr. Golding was responding to a...

The National Centre for Youth Development (NCYD) is observing November as Youth Month, under the theme: 'I Can, We Can ,Youth Can, Achieve Greatness'. Speaking at a JIS Think Tank yesterday (Nov. 4), Director of Youth Policy and Programme Development at the NCYD, Robertha Ellis, outlined that the month encompasses a series of premi