More

Education Minister, Rev. Hon. Ronald Thwaites, is warning persons involved in providing fake educational credentials to immediately desist. Minister Thwaites' warning follows a recent news report that Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) passes and fake degrees were being sold by persons engaged in an illegal operation. Speaking in an interview with JIS News, the Education Minister said persons involved in this...

Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), National Health Fund (NHF), Benjamin Waysome, says the increase in chronic lifestyle diseases continue to cost the agency billions of dollars each year, with a majority of its members being treated for at least three separate conditions. Mr. Waysome informed that a review of statistics from the NHF's individual benefits programme reveal that, on average,...

The Ministries of Health and Education have combined resources in an effort to promote healthy lifestyle practices among all school-aged children across the island. Under a "health promoting schools" initiative, educational institutions will be empowered to facilitate healthy choices and the development of healthy behaviour among students. The initiative was announced by Health Minister, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson Monday September...

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller says the national Paralympic athlete, Alphanso Cunningham, continues to be a role model. Her remarks come shortly after Cunningham threw 21.84 metres in the Javelin F52/53 at the London 2012 Paralympics this morning. His achievement is a national record and also a record for the entire North and South America region. "We are such a...

Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, says there needs to be a multi-faceted approach to fighting the epidemic of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Jamaica, treatment of which is costing the government over US$170 million annually. He was speaking at the launch of Caribbean Wellness Day 2012 on September 3 at the Ministry’s downtown Kingston offices. Dr. Ferguson said that...

Schools in western Jamaica reopened their doors on September 3 as the 2012/2013 academic year got underway. Some students faced transportation delays, due to a road block along the Irwin/Sign main road, mounted by residents protesting water shortage in the area. However, the blockage was quickly cleared by the police, allowing for free movement of traffic. Acting Regional Director of...

As Government continues to encourage investment in renewable sources of energy, private interests are being urged to consider wind energy as a lucrative area for investment. "We are trying to encourage private players, not just Government, to actually go into this as a business, because we believe that it is attractive enough for a company to make a return on...

Regional Director of Region 3 in the Ministry of Education, Maxine Headlam, has reported that the 120 public schools in Trelawny and St. Ann had a smooth start to the new school year on September 3. "We got off to a good start this morning. We did not have much issue that could have prevented schools from starting, so all...

The Golden Spring Primary School in rural St. Andrew opened its new academic year on September 3 with a special ceremony to mark its 25th anniversary under the theme: 'Promoting The Past To Enhance The Future'. At the function held at the Temple Hall New Testament Church of God, 10 members of staff were honoured for their long and dedicated...

Some 65 pupils from primary schools island-wide, who were successful in this year's Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT), have received scholarships and awards valued at over $600,000 under the National People’s Cooperative Bank of Jamaica’s (NPCBJ) inaugural GSAT Scholarship Programme. The awards, which were made during a special luncheon at the Golf View Hotel in Mandeville, Manchester on Thursday (August...

The Post and Telecomunication Department will be implementing various initiatives, aimed at keeping the services offered by the department relevant to the needs of its stakeholders and customers. This was disclosed by Minister of State in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Julian Robinson, at the launch of the Post and Telecommunication Department’s Jamaica 50 commemorative stamps,...

The new national minimum wage of $5,000 per 40-hour work week, takes effect today, September 3, 2012. The 11 per cent increase in the minimum wage is as a result of recommendations from the Minimum Wage Advisory Commission. Minister of Labour of Social Security Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier, had announced during his contribution to the 2012/13 Sectoral Debate in Gordon...