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Some 130 young probationers from across the island are participating in the 5th staging of the Department of Correctional Services' Challengers Camp now underway at the new Montpelier Juvenile/Remand Correctional Centre in St. James. The central aim of the 10-day residential camp, which began yesterday (Aug.16), is to stimulate the minds of each camper in a productive atmosphere, so that...

The Education Transformation team recently conducted several training workshops across the island for teachers preparing students for the Grade Four Literacy Intervention Programme. "These workshops came about because we felt that if we were able to strengthen the capacity of the teachers, then it will only augur well for the students because the learning that comes out would be increased,"...

The National Water Commission (NWC) is reminding customers that it is likely that water supply will be discontinued some two to three hours before a hurricane makes landfall. Speaking with JIS News, Corporate Communications Manager of the NWC, Charles Buchanan, said that, "despite the best effort of the NWC, water supply systems remain vulnerable." "This is so, because large sections...

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is on high alert, as reports indicate that Hurricane Dean is on track to affect Jamaica by this weekend. Director of Information and Training at ODPEM, Krechet Douglas-Greaves, told JIS News that Parish Disaster Co-ordinators have been alerted as well as ODPEM staff, regarding preparations. "High alert means that the National...

A contract valued at $7.4 million was signed today (Aug.16) for the construction of a day care centre on the grounds of the Professional Development Institute and Girls' Town, located on Maxfield Avenue in Kingston. The project, which is being funded by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), involves the rehabilitation of a building to be utilized for training and...

Bank of Jamaica Governor (BoJ), Derrick Latibeaudiere, has reported stable monetary performance by the Jamaican economy for the second quarter of 2007. Speaking at the BOJ's quarterly press briefing held on (Aug.15) at the Bank's headquarters, downtown Kingston, Mr. Latibeaudiere said that inflation for the April to June quarter was 1.9 per cent, slightly below the range of January to...

The economy grew by 1.8 per cent and showed steady, positive improvements during the April to June quarter with solid performances in the goods-producing sectors of agriculture, construction and manufacturing. Director General of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Dr. Wesley Hughes, addressing the quarterly media briefing held on (Aug. 15) at the Institute's Grenada Way offices, noted that agriculture...

International observers from the Washington-based Organisation of American States (OAS), who will be monitoring the August 27 general elections, will start arriving in the island early next week, said Assistant Secretary General, Albert R. Ramdin. "Our core team of about four persons will here on August 20 followed by the second group coming in on the 22nd, and then myself...

The Electoral Office Jamaica (EOJ) is reporting that more than 33,300 Election Day workers, Military and Police officers will be voting on August 21. Speaking with JIS News, Director of the EOJ, Danville Walker said that all attempts were being made to contact the relevant persons as they would not be permitted to vote after the stipulated date. "As a...

The water woes of residents in some communities of St. Ann and St. Elizabeth should be significantly decreased with the handing over of two new water trucks to the Parish Councils by the Ministry of Local Government and Environment. State Minister in the Ministry, Harry Douglas, speaking at the handing over ceremony today (August 16), at the Ministry's offices on...

The National Works Agency (NWA) is carrying out de-silting work on gullies and river beds in communities in St. Thomas, which were affected by recent heavy rains. Manager of Communications and Customer Services at the NWA, Stephen Shaw, who toured work sites in the Bull Bay area on (Aug. 15), told JIS News that the heavy down-flow of silt from...

The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) is advising parents and children to be vigilant when purchasing back-to-school hygiene packs, especially with the recent recalls of contaminated brands of toothpaste out of China. Speaking with JIS News, Communication Specialist at the CAC, Dorothy Campbell informed that these hygiene packs have been reported to consist of unfamiliar brands of pocket-sized toothpaste, "which are...