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Some 265 early childhood institutions in St. Catherine communities are to receive furniture, appliances and reading materials under an initiative launched by the Social Development Commission's (SDC) parish office in Spanish Town. The programme, which is in collaboration with donor agencies, will benefit institutions in Linstead, Old Harbour, Portmore and Spanish Town. At a presentation ceremony held yesterday (Aug. 13)...

More than 190 primary and tertiary level students have benefitted from $1.8 million in back-to-school support from alumina refinery company, Jamalco. The students, who are from the company's mining areas in Clarendon and Manchester, were presented with cheques, books and other educational items, at a ceremony held yesterday (Aug. 11) at the Harmons All-Age School in Manchester. Managing Director of...

The Jamaica Public Service (JPS) Company handed over $8 million to four institutions, to assist students financially challenged in completing their academic studies, on Tuesday (August 11). The institutions were: the University of Technology (UTech), which will receive $4 million; University of the West Indies (UWI), $2.5 million; Northern Caribbean University (NCU), $1 million; and $500,000 to the St. Patrick...

Graduates attending Northern Caribbean University's (NCU) graduation exercise on Sunday (August 9) were encouraged to use current challenges to develop creativity in moving the nation forward. "I encourage you to treat each obstacle as precious memories. Go out as pragmatic visionaries, young people who aspire to acquire great goals, who are imbued with the drive to get things done," said...

The Ministry of Education has disclosed that 71 per cent of students who sat the Grade Four Literacy Test in June achieved mastery in the examination. Speaking at a press conference at the Ministry of Education Tuesday (August 11), Education Minister, Hon. Andrew Holness, said the results will be made available to schools by next week Thursday. This is the...

The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) says that a lack of competition between book shops in some areas and inflation, have resulted in significant variations in the cost of textbooks for schools islandwide. CAC Research Officer and Economist, Racquel Chambers, said that a survey of 101 books in 64 outlets, showed a nine percent increase in average prices, islandwide, compared with...

The Ministry of Education has announced that it will be releasing the results of the Grade Nine Achievement Test (GNAT), on Monday, August 17. The GNAT is used to determine placement of students from Junior High and All-age schools into high schools, which go up to at least Grade 11 (Fifth Form). At a press conference at the Ministry of...

More than 100 Primary and All Age school students from St. James, were presented with book grants valued at $5,000.00 each, yesterday (August 10). The money was raised through a partnership between the St. James Parish Council and Stages Production, with $250,000.00 each coming from local stage shows, 'Money Worries' and 'Bashment Granny 2'. The presentations were made at the...

The University of the West Indies (UWI) has embarked on a programme to assist farmers to gain the maximum benefit from agricultural production, and agri-processing. The institution, through its Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, is using research to put the agricultural sector in a position to supply the food needs of the country, and to extract medicinal ingredients from...

Eight Jamaican students will be heading to China to pursue various Masters Degree programmes, having been awarded full scholarships under the Chinese Government's Scholarship Programme. They are: Claudine Housen, Alecia Newman, Norman Sandcroft, Kerry-Ann Smith, Kristina Sibblies, Keroma Bernard, Karleen Scott and Jo Anderson-Figueroa. The awardees will pursue studies at various universities, in the areas of Journalism and Communication, International...

Director, Office of Student Affairs and Development at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Dr. Thelora Reynolds, has highlighted the value of mentoring in fostering personal growth and understanding, and increasing skills and competences. "A good mentorship programme or a good mentor is going to cause the mentee's skills to increase. (For example you are) faced with a problem,...

Minister of Education, Hon. Andrew Holness, has stated that the Ministry will be placing renewed focus on providing universal access to secondary education. Addressing the inaugural Future Leadership Diaspora Conference 2009 today (Aug. 5) at the University of the West Indies' Mona Visitors Lodge, he said that the country has already achieved universal primary education and is now moving to...