More

Plans are being put in place to establish a number of "time-out" facilities to accommodate disruptive students. This was one of several new measures outlined by the Minister of Education, Andrew Holness to tackle the growing incidence of crime and violence in schools. He was speaking at press conference held recently at the Ministry's Heroes Circle office. According to Mr....

Jamaica will mark the second annual Restorative Justice Week from February 2 to 8 under the theme: 'Restorative Justice Towards Forgiveness, Healing and Reconciliation'. Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Senator Dorothy Lightbourne, speaking at the press launch on (Feb. 1) at the Ministry's Oxford Road office in Kingston, said that the observance is to promote the philosophy of restorative...

The Milk River Hotel Bath and Spa in Clarendon and the Bath Hotel and Spa in St. Thomas have received a combined grant of $250 million to carry out extensive refurbishing and upgrading work at both locations. This was announced by Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett as he addressed members of the Board of the Bath Hotel and Spa and...

A special Committee on Customs Co-operation and Trade Facilitation is to be established, with the chairperson rotated annually between the parties, under the recently negotiated Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between CARIFORUM states and the European Union (EU). According to the agreement, the Committee, which will report to the CARIFORUM-European Commission (EC) Trade and Development Committee, will be responsible for monitoring...

As of (February 1), the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) began personalising Smart Cards, free of cost, for those commuters who wish to pay using the cashless system. Speaking with JIS News, Marketing and Sales Manager, Lenworth Simms said: "It is in keeping with the thrust to encourage the cashless approach to travelling." He said that the figures now show...

Opposition Spokesman on Finance, Dr. Omar Davies, has expressed the view that a collaborative approach to governance is the way forward, as this will guarantee the process of growth and development of the country in a dynamic global environment. Addressing participants in a session on the second day of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Investment and Capital Markets four-day Conference at...

As part of efforts to enhance the justice system in Jamaica, it is anticipated that by mid-year, judges will be able to accelerate and make more efficient, court procedures and proceedings, through the use of technology. "So (for example) the judge can sit in their chambers, go to their computer and fix a date for the cases. At the moment,...

Industry, Commerce and Investment Minister Karl Samuda, is to set up and lead a trade mission of public and private sector partners to Europe, to seek out business opportunities under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and to establish linkages with potential investors, including European investment banks. Prime Minister Bruce Golding made the disclosure on Friday (Feb. 1) at an EPA...

Cabinet has approved the award of three contracts for the construction and rehabilitation of a high school and two early childhood institutions. A contract valued at $186, 982, 431 was awarded to SWC Woodwork and Construction for the building of additional classroom blocks and two classrooms at the Paul Bogle High School in St. Thomas. In addition, KSA Engineering Consultancy...

Information, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister, Olivia Grange, said that Cabinet has approved a proposal from the Ministry of Education to reduce the cost for the registration of early childhood institutions. Addressing a post Cabinet press briefing on (Jan. 30) at Jamaica House, Minister Grange explained that the proposal sought to reduce the fees charged by the Early Childhood Commission,...

Cabinet has given approval for the Government to enter into a loan agreement with the World Bank for US$40 million, to effect far-reaching reform of the social safety net system, which is encompassed by the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH). This will be the second phase of the social safety net reform programme, and will involve improvement...

Regional Branch Manager for the Rural Agricultural Development Authority's (RADA) Manchester branch, Neville Burrell, has blamed the glut of tomatoes on the market on over planting by some farmers. According to Mr. Burrell, during the hurricane relief effort, a lot of fertilizer and seeds were distributed to farmers, with tomato seeds issued in excess. He informed that the farmers, a...