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His Excellency Hugo Ch

I am very pleased to have the opportunity to address this 2005 Conference of the Jamaica Teachers' Association, for reasons which may be obvious to as discerning a body as the JTA is. Like my predecessor, Michael Manley, I will not demit the office of Prime Minister, without delivering a final charge to our Teachers, which more than any other...

The Plant Quarantine Unit of the Agriculture Ministry has urged Jamaicans travelling overseas not to return with any citrus plants so as to eliminate the possibility of the citrus canker virus being introduced into the country. Fitzroy White, Plant Quarantine Produce Inspector, advised that nationals arriving from abroad should "make every effort not to yield to the temptation to bring...

The Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) has decided to add two late trips to its number 98 bus route following talks with residents of Port Royal last week. In addition to the two trips, the company will also effect a public timetable as of September 7, along with a new roster and should coincide with the new school term. As...

Director of Family Health Services in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Karen Lewis-Bell, has called on young mothers to immunize their infants in order to minimize exposure to life threatening diseases, which kill an estimated three million children worldwide every year. Dr. Lewis-Bell, who spoke to JIS News in a recent interview, pointed to a decline in the Ministry's immunization...

The Jamaican community in South Florida of the United States (US), has donated $100,000 to the Ministry of National Security's scholarship programme for children of police officers. Consul-General in Miami, Ricardo Allicock officially handed over the cheque to Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Gilbert Scott and representatives of the Jamaica Police Federation, at the Ministry's Oxford Road offices in Kingston...

Patricia Meikle, Yanique Sparks, Ainseanlea Campbell and Jervine Richards have emerged winners in the Clarendon Parish Library's Reading competition for 2005. They were recognized for their outstanding performance in the competition at an annual awards ceremony held at the library in May Pen on August 19."The main objectives of the reading competition are to encourage good reading habits, develop reading...

Five government agencies now have final drafts of workplace policies under the thrust to eradicate stigma and discrimination against individuals in the workforce who are infected with HIV/AIDS. These are the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (the Ministry overseeing the National Workplace Policy), and the Ministries of National Security; Local Government, Community Development and Sports; Industry and Tourism; and...

President of the Republic of Venezuela, H.E. Hugo Chavez Frias, will arrive in the island at noon today (Aug.23) for a one-day working visit. The President last visited in July 1999. On arrival at the Sangster International Airport, President Chavez and his 17-member delegation will be met by a Commerce, Science and Technology Minister, Phillip Paulwell; include Minister of State...

Thirty young men and women will begin a period of apprenticeship this month under the Ministry of Agriculture's $3.5 million Beekeeping Apprenticeship Programme, geared at providing employment opportunities for those who have an interest in the industry. Hugh Smith, Senior Plant Protection Officer in the Apiculture Unit of the Ministry, informs JIS News that the first phase of the programme...

Transport and Works Minister, Robert Pickersgill has said there was no urgent need to conduct a forensic audit of the operations of the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC), as the bus company's audited financial statements were up-to-date. Minister Pickersgill, who was speaking yesterday (August 19), at a press conference at the Transport Ministry in Kingston to announce new bus and...

To be educated at an illustrious, quality-centered institution is the dream of many well-thinking Jamaicans. However it is sometimes difficult to find a reputable institution, and even more difficult to afford the tuition. The Management Institute of National Development (MIND) Mandeville Learning Centre, established in 1979, has been the institution of choice for many public and private sector workers. It...