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Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies (UWI), Professor Elsa Leo-Rhynie, has said that Jamaica had the potential to become the centre of excellence for education in the Caribbean. Professor Leo-Rhynie, who was speaking at the recent graduation ceremony for some 75 students at the Management Institute for National Development (MIND) said that Jamaica could become the...

The Portland Environment Protection Association (PEPA) is currently conducting a public education project in schools in the Rio Grande watershed area, to improve the environmental awareness of the students, and to sensitise them about the importance of proper watershed management. This programme is being undertaken to promote sustainable social and economic development.The programme, which began earlier this year, is being...

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), in collaboration with the Eastern Jamaica Agricultural Support Project (EJASP), has completed a series of workshops in Land Husbandry and Environmental Management, aimed at educating farmers about the importance of soil conservation and the methodologies involved in land sustainability. Extension Officer at RADA, Donavan Walker told JIS News that after the passage of hurricane...

Government will be seeking to retain the expertise and experience of retired teachers by engaging a number of them on fixed contracts. The retention of retired teachers is one of the recommendations of the Education Task Force. Prime Minister P.J. Patterson in presenting the report to Parliament yesterday (Dec. 14) said that every year, the system lost many good teachers...

Finance and Planning Minister, Dr. Omar Davies has said that overall, the prospects for the economy remained positive and that progress should continue for the rest of the fiscal year, albeit at a slower rate than originally projected due to the damage caused by Hurricane Ivan. He was making a presentation in the House of Representatives yesterday (Dec.14), on the...

Prime Minister of Barbados, Owen Arthur, has made a call for the creation of a Caribbean society in which stigma and discrimination against those infected and affected by the HIV/AIDS disease have been 'dethroned' and replaced by compassion and care. "Throughout the Caribbean region, people living with HIV/AIDS face enormous hostility meted out to them by their brothers and sisters...

Prime Minister of Barbados, Owen Arthur, has called for the development of "new modalities of cooperation" in the fight against HIV/AIDS, as the region moved closer to the establishment of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). "As we proceed to the CSME, he said, "this region will be characterized by highly mobilized populations, whose movements, driven by factors that...

The Police Services Commission wishes to announce that Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Owen Clunie, has exercised his option to retire from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), under the early retirement incentive scheme recently approved by Cabinet. His retirement is with immediate effect. DCP Clunie joined the force in 1966 and has given loyal and dedicated service for nearly 39...

Eighteen grade-two students from schools across the island have emerged winners in the Primary Education Support Project (PESP) "LitKids" competition. The awards ceremony was held at the Caenwood Centre Auditorium on Arnold Road today (Dec. 15). The winners who were adjudged the best for their adept literacy skills, were drawn from a total of 261 entrants. Minister of State in...

The American Foundation for the University of the West Indies (AFUWI) will stage its annual benefit gala on February 1, 2005 in New York City, where tribute will be paid to those outstanding Caribbean luminaries, who have contributed to the development of the arts, culture, sciences and human rights in the region. Also to be honoured at the event, to...

Dr. Peter Figueroa, coordinator of the epidemiology and prevention programme in the Ministry of Health, has suggested the decriminalization of prostitution throughout the Caribbean and providing sex workers with greater access to health services, as a means of combating the spread of HIV/AIDS. With prostitution being a leading cause of transmission, the argument is that once the trade is decriminalized...

Court reporters will now be able to record court proceedings more efficiently, as the Ministry of Justice has procured 50 new stenograph machines at a cost of $23 million. The newly acquired equipment, paid for by the Ministry of Finance, should relieve reporters whose work output was gravely affected on account of the out-of-commission machines they had to work with....