The Ministry of Education (MoE) is advising primary school administrators that the 2014 Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) registration form should be completed and submitted to the regional offices for verification during the period October 7 to November 1, 2013. “In keeping with the MoE’s Competence-Based Transition Policy, only students who have attained mastery at the Grade 4 Literacy test...

In a bid to promote sustainable energy management in high schools across Jamaica, students and teachers are to be trained as energy auditors under an energy awareness project. The project, “Promoting Energy Awareness in Jamaican Secondary Schools” is a collaborative effort among the Jamaica Fulbright Association (JBA), the Ministry of Education, the Scientific Research Council and the Jamaica Public Service....

The G.C. Foster College of Physical Education and Sport in Spanish Town, St. Catherine, is reporting “overwhelming” support for its two-year diploma programme in sports massage therapy. Principal of the institution, Edward Shakes, said there has been high demand for admittance to the programme, which was introduced to deal with the rising incidence of sports-related injuries. “In fact, there are...

Brookton Cummings and Sasha-Kay Campbell of Montego Bay, St. James, who were successful in the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT), have been awarded the Bayley-Hay Memorial Scholarship valued at $100,000 each, by the Montego Co-operative Credit Union (MCCU). The recipients, who are enrolled in Cornwall College and Montego Bay High School respectively, were presented with the scholarships during a recent...

The Ministry of Education is advising members of the public that there are six regional offices situated across the island to provide information and services. Schools or members of the public facing any major challenges during the back-to-school period and beyond should seek assistance from the regional offices using the following telephone hotlines: Region 1 –Kingston and St. Andrew: 948-9388...

Twenty retrofitted wheelchairs have been procured by the Ministry of Education for the 2013/14 academic year, to assist physically challenged students in special education facilities island-wide. This disclosure was made by Chief Education Officer in the Ministry, Grace McLean, at a Think Tank held recently, at the Jamaica Information Service’s (JIS) head office in Kingston. Mrs. McLean said there has...

Over 500 children and parents from Sandy Bay, Montpelier and adjoining communities of eastern Hanover, were hosted at back-to-school treats and health fairs last weekend on the grounds of the Fletcher’s Grove and Montpelier Baptist churches. The students benefited from medical/dental examinations and were presented with books and other school supplies. They also enjoyed games such as football, a bounce house,...

Jamaicans will pay an average increase of 10% for textbooks this academic year. This is the word from the Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) based on a survey of 126 text books (82 secondary, 31 primary and 13 infant), in 52 book outlets in the Greater Kingston Metropolitan Area (KMA) and all parishes. The increase is greater than that recorded in...

A total of $100 million will be disbursed to some 1,000 students in households classified in the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH), this year, under the Government’s tertiary bursary initiative. Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, who made the announcement during a special Back-to-School press briefing on August 28, at the Office of the...