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At least 290 National Youth Service (NYS) trainees are turning the pages of success, in dealing with the weaknesses which exist in the procurement and distribution of textbooks at high, junior high and all-age schools. So far, they have helped the Media Services Unit of the Ministry of Education to collect for re-distribution some $350 million worth of government-issued textbooks,...

The Ministry of Energy and Mining is pursuing discussions with several of the country’s tertiary institutions towards establishing a partnership for the delivery of a four-year degree programme for professionals in the mining sector. “There has been dialogue with the University of Technology (UTech) in particular, and we are continuing the dialogue. We have had discussions with the University of...

Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Hon. Andrew Holness, is encouraging more parents, particularly fathers, to develop the habit of reading aloud with their children. He said that this simple practice will not only help to solidify the “bond of love” between child and parent, but will also prepare the child’s mind for the school system. “It prepares the mind...

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) on December 13, 2011 collaborated with cruise ship ‘Oasis of the Seas’ to bring Christmas cheer to more than 200 students of three schools in Trelawny. The students, from the Wilson’s Run and Troy Basic and Infant, and Hague Primary and Infant schools, were showered with toys and gift packages, at a function held at...

KINGSTON — The Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Honourable Olivia Grange, MP has congratulated St George’s College on winning the 2011 national schools football title the Olivier Shield. St George’s, the Manning Cup champions, defeated DaCosta Cup champions Rusea’s High 2-0 in the two-way Olivier Shield Finals. St George’s also won this season’s Walker Cup.  St Elizabeth Technical...

KINGSTON — Work is to commence, shortly, on the construction of facilities to house the Maranatha Basic School in Waterhouse, Kingston. The project is to cost $46 million, of which $34 million is being provided by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), from financing allocated under the Caribbean Development Bank/Basic Need Trust Fund Sixth Programme (CDB/BNFT6). The remainder will be...

KINGSTON — Paul Mountain Primary School in St. Catherine has received a $21 million facelift and improved sanitation through funding from the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF). The works include: construction of a new sanitation block; rehabilitation of the classroom blocks; expansion and rehabilitation of kitchen/tuck shop; and construction of an eating patio. The library and administrative offices have also...

KINGSTON — The Ministry of Education on (December 1) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Kingdom-based International City and Guilds of London Institute, to enhance the Career Advancement Programme (CAP) through the provision of examinations, primarily in literacy and numeracy. Under the three-year MoU, City and Guilds, through its local office, commits to providing examinations across all...

University of the West Indies (UWI) Professor, Anthony Clayton, says that Jamaica must increase investment in technology and highly skilled areas to ensure the employability of future generations. He noted that fast-paced advancements in science and technology will make some jobs and professions obsolete. “To a very considerable extent, our future depends on our ability to generate the skills that...

KINGSTON — Major upgrading works will be carried out at the Sawyers Primary and Freemans Hall Primary and Infant Schools in Trelawny at a cost of  $20.2 million and $28.8 million, respectively. Contracts for the two projects were  signed by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) and the respective communities on November 30. The work is expected to be undertaken...

KINGSTON — Spanish Ambassador to Jamaica, and President of the Spanish Jamaica Foundation, Her Excellency Celsa Nuno, has issued an appeal for the Ministry of Education to make Spanish compulsory at all levels of the education system. She pledged that her Embassy "would spare no effort to support the Ministry" in that endeavor. "Being able to speak Spanish -  and...

KINGSTON — Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Grace McLean, says the Ministry has been working to prepare students to adapt to the ever-changing technological landscape. "The Ministry of Education recognises the role that technology plays in education and training and has taken steps to ensure its integration in the teacher-learner interaction. Our literacy and numeracy programmes and...