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Minister of Education, Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites (at podium), addresses Heads and representatives of Missions in Jamaica at a meeting held on May 8 at the Ministry, in Kingston. The Minister gave details of the plans and policies of the Education Ministry and the Missions’ involvement in educational projects in Jamaica.

More Emphasis on Vocational Education This Year

More emphasis will be placed on science, technology and vocational education in schools during this financial year, to provide the skills needed by foreign investors. This was stated by Minister of Education, Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites, while addressing ambassadors and...

Economist and Lecturer at the University of the West Indies, Dr. Andre Haughton, during an interview on the JIS television programme, ‘Issues and Answers’, with Ian Boyne.

No Better Option Than New Taxes – Economist

National Security Minister, Hon. Peter Bunting (right), is presented with a signed copy of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by United States Agency for International Development USAID) Mission Director in Jamaica, Denise Herbol, that will facilitate implementation of phase two of USAID’s Community Empowerment and Transformation Project (COMET II) in Jamaica, in partnership with the Government, over the next five years, at a cost of $1.4 billion (US$13 million). The signing and presentation took place at the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), New Kingston, on Friday (May 2).

USAID Launches Project to Empower Vulnerable Communities

Chief Education Officer in the Ministry of Education, Dr. Grace Mc Lean empshasises a point at the post- Sectoral press briefing held at the Office of the Prime Minister on Thursday, May 8. Seated at left is Minister of Education Hon Rev. Ronald Thwaites.

Schools Must Implement Improvement Plans – Education Minister

Children’s Advocate, Diahann Gordon Harrison (left), is greeted by Chairman of Kingston Bookshop, Hon. Steadman Fuller, who is also Custos of Kingston. Occasion was a teachers’ luncheon and awards ceremony held on Tuesday, May 6, at the Terra Nova Hotel, where Mrs. Gordon Harrison was the keynote speaker.

Children’s Advocate Cautions Schools Against Protecting Sexual Predators

12 years ago Education

Gov’t to Contribute More to Auxiliary Fees for PATH Students

In the new academic year, the Ministry of Education will begin contributing an additional $2,000 towards auxiliary fees for the 82,181 students on the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH). Education Minister, Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites, says this will provide additional financial relief to numerous schools, particularly those with a large number of PATH beneficiaries. Rev. Thwaites made...

Head of the Meteorological Service, Jeffery Spooner.

12 years ago Environment

Jamaicans Urged to Plan for Mid-Year Dry Period

Head of the Meteorological Service, Jeffery Spooner is urging Jamaicans to plan for the mid-year dry period despite the traditional “May rains” the country is currently experiencing. Speaking with JIS News Mr. Spooner says January to March, and to a lesser extent, July, are traditional dry periods, and that it is therefore incumbent on everyone to make plans for this...

Minister of Education Hon Rev. Ronald Thwaites addresses journalists at a post-Sectoral press briefing held at the Office of the Prime Minister.

12 years ago Education

Schools Must Report Inappropriate Teacher/Student Relations – Minister Thwaites

Minister of Education, Hon Rev. Ronald Thwaites says teachers who prey on students must be reported to the police immediately by the appropriate authority from the affected schools. The Minister was responding to comments made by Children’s Advocate Diahann Gordon-Harrison that since the start of 2014, her Office has received increased reports of teaching professionals having inappropriate relations with students....

Executive Director of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), Clyde Harrison, highlights projects and programmes being financed by the entity, at a JIS ‘Think Tank’.

12 years ago Tourism

TEF Summer Internship Programme Preparing Youth for Work

Three hundred students are to this year participate in the Tourism Enhancement Fund’s (TEF) Summer Internship Programme, which is geared at introducing participants to the world of work, and assisting them with professional experience. Speaking with JIS News, Executive Director at the TEF, Clyde Harrison said the internship programme targets secondary to tertiary level students from 16 years old, to...

Minister of Education Hon Rev. Ronald Thwaites (left) along with Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Elaine Foster Allen examine teaching blocks at a post- Sectoral press briefing held at the Office of the Prime Minister on Thursday, May 8. Looking on is National Literacy Coordinator, Andre Hill.

12 years ago Education

Government Investing More in Early Childhood

The Government has increased expenditure on early childhood education to $14.1 billion. This represents 18 per cent of the Education Ministry’s recurrent budget. An additional $316.5 million will be spent on supporting and improving early childhood education. Making the disclosure in his contribution to the Sectoral 2014/2015 Budget Debate in Parliament on Wednesday, May 7, Minister of Education, Rev. Hon...

Minister of Transport, Works and Housing, Dr. the Hon. Omar Davies (second left) is presented with a set of keys for the new Volvo buses by Managing Director, JR Group, Rennie Wellington (left) during the official handing over of the units at Digicel’s Parking Lot on Lady Musgrave Road in Kingston on May 8. Others from third left are: Minister with responsibility for Housing in the Ministry, Hon. Dr. Morais Guy; Ambassador of Belgium, Her Excellency Godelieve Vanden Bergh; Managing Director, Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC), Colin Campbell; and Board Director, JUTC, Carolyn Gardner. With the addition of the 73 new Volvo buses, the company’s seating capacity has been increased by 3,500. Sixty-nine of the buses will be placed in the Kingston Metropolitan Transport Region (KMTR), while four will be deployed to Montego Bay Metro. The units for the KMTR will be placed at the Spanish Town, Portmore, and Rockfort JUTC depots. Four of the units have been customized to cater to the needs of persons with disabilities.

12 years ago Transport

JUTC Acquires 73 New Buses

The Jamaica Urban Transit Company’s (JUTC) seating capacity has been increased by 3,500 with the addition of 73 new Volvo buses to its fleet. Sixty-nine of the buses will be placed in the Kingston Metropolitan Transport Region (KMTR), while four will be deployed to Montego Bay Metro. The units for the KMTR will be allocated across the Spanish Town, Portmore,...

12 years ago Education

More Incentives for Early Childhood Teachers

The Government is increasing the subsidy provided to early childhood teachers by 15 per cent, with further adjustments to be made in the next financial year. Making the disclosure on Wednesday, May 7, during his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, Minister of Education, the Hon. Rev Ronald Thwaites, said the increase is part of measures...