The Ministry of Tourism is reporting that 9,447 hospitality workers are now registered for the Tourism Workers Pension Scheme. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, made the disclosure as he opened the 2024/25 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on April 30. “They have saved, in the process, $1.2 billion. When added to the $1 billion that we put and...

Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College (SSTC) is expanding its undergraduate programme with the introduction of two new Bachelor of Education degrees as well as a slate of short courses in September 2024. Principal of the institution, Ricardo Bennett, announced the enhanced offerings while addressing the valedictory ceremony for the 48th batch of graduates held on April 25 at Calvary Baptist Church...

Significant steps are being taken to address the housing needs of the tourism workforce. Through the Tourism Enhancement Fund’s partnership with the New Social Housing Programme, $500 million will be allocated to improve housing conditions for tourism workers living in substandard circumstances. Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, made the disclosure as he opened the 2024/25 Sectoral Debate in the...

Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) with responsibility for Information, Hon. Robert Morgan, is scheduled to depart Jamaica today (May 1) for UNESCO World Press Freedom Day observances in Georgetown, Guyana. During the visit, Minister Morgan will participate in the ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Jamaica and Guyana, which will see...

Some 136 T/20 and 23 T/10 Masters cricket teams, representing approximately 200 communities across the island, are participating in the 2024 Social Development Commission (SDC) National Community Cricket Competition. The competition, which is in its 17th season, began on March 22 and will run until August 11, with the grand finals for both segments set for Chedwin Park in St....

New Hope Primary School in White House, Westmoreland, recently welcomed a significant addition to its facilities in the form of a major water-purification machine. This new installation, made possible through a partnership with the Sandals Foundation that procured the unit from Sip Water Lifesaver, is set to not only benefit the school but also the wider community by providing a...

Students from the Jose Marti Technical High School, perform a song at a ceremony held at the institution in St. Catherine on Monday (April 29) where several musical instruments, valued at over $2 million, were handed over to the Visual Arts Department. The instruments were donated by the past students’ association.

Preliminary gross earnings from tourism are estimated at a record US$4.38 billion for fiscal year 2023/24 as the sector continues its exponential growth. Stopover arrivals are projected at 2.96 million, reflecting a 9.4 per cent increase over the previous period, with cruise arrivals expected to reach 1.34 million, up by nine per cent from the previous period in 2022/23. Minister...

Jamaica has received a donation of US$3 million from the nonprofit humanitarian group, Direct Relief, which will be channeled through the National Health Fund (NHF) to strengthen the public health system. Speaking at a handover ceremony held today (April 30) at the NHF facility on Marcus Garvey Drive in St. Andrew, Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Most Hon....