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The Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture is sticking to its March 16 and 17 dates for the sitting of the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT), as the Ministry is unable to defer the examinations further, as there would be consequences in relation to the placement of students. This was emphasized by the Minister of Education, Youth and Culture, Maxine...

The self help and personal development group, 'One Hand Can't Clap', has launched a series of Heritage cards featuring Jamaican proverbs and 'sayings' titled 'Things Mama Use to Say'. These cards, which are part of the organization's Echoes of the Past Series, were written and edited by the group's founder, Lorlett Hudson. The official launch took place at the Jamaican...

Minister of Education, Youth and Culture, Maxine Henry-Wilson has reported that Hurricane Ivan damaged approximately 1,000 or 40 per cent of publicly owned institutions, with 51 of these sustaining severe damage. This is in addition to some 600 privately owned but government recognized basic schools. Making her presentation in the House of Representatives yesterday (October 5), on the recovery of...

The Registrar General's Department (RGD) has assured that the over 124 million vital records stored by the agency are still safe and intact, following the passage of Hurricane Ivan. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the RGD, Dr. Patricia Holness, told JIS News that the department had a 15-member disaster preparedness team, which was responsible for activating the agency's disaster preparedness...

Medical Officer of Health (MOH) for Manchester, Dr. Beverley Wright has indicated that a special request has been made for funding to assist with the re-establishment of some 1,200 pit latrines across the parish. Speaking to JIS News, Dr. Wright explained that there were many households in urgent need, as Hurricane Ivan had "wash out" or "demolished" numerous existing structures....

As the nation continues on the road to recovery, following the devastation caused by Hurricane Ivan, 200 of the country's fishermen and farmers are set to receive gas stoves with accompanying cylinders from Shell Company Jamaica. Shell is donating 100 gas stoves and cylinders to the Jamaica Fishermen's Co-operative and another 100 to the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS). These are...

Preliminary estimate of the damage to the island by Hurricane Ivan has been put at $22.4 billion or US$362 million. This was disclosed by Prime Minister P.J. Patterson at yesterday's (October 4) post cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House. Mr. Patterson said the preliminary estimate submitted by the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) placed direct damage, which included damage to...

Donations totalling US$4,000 were presented to Jamaica's Consul General in Miami, Ricardo Allicock, on Sunday (October 3) at a hurricane relief benefit concert, held in aid of victims of Hurricane Ivan, which devastated parts of the island early last month. The donations were offerings made by more than 400 persons in attendance at the three-hour long event billed, 'Hurricane Relief...

A national service of thanksgiving and remembrance on October 10 to mark the passing of Hurricane Ivan, will signal the beginning of Heritage Week, which will be observed from October 10 to 18. Information Minister, Senator Burchell Whiteman speaking at yesterday's (October 4) post cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, said the ecumenical service would combine the elements of heritage...

The National Works Agency (NWA) will be meeting with the residents of Flankers in St. James next week to inform them of road improvement works that will affect the community. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 5. NWA's Community Relations Officer for the Western Region, Stephen Shaw, told JIS News, that work on the North Coast Highway Project would...

Alumina Partners of Jamaica (ALPART) has committed $6 million to help with the recovery effort in about 47 communities in St. Elizabeth and South Manchester, which were affected by Hurricane Ivan over three weeks ago. Public Relations Manager for ALPART, Lance Neita told JIS News that the money would assist in the three critical areas of education, health, and agriculture....

This year's World Food Day activities will serve to strengthen the Ministry of Agriculture's ongoing public education campaign about the critical importance of biodiversity in ensuring adequate supplies of high-quality food for future generations. Acting Chief Technical Officer in the Ministry, Don McGlashan made this observation at the official launch of World Food Day 2004 (October 16), at the Ministry's...