The Quality Education Circle (QEC) 36, in Region Four of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, has joined the cause to mitigate the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on vulnerable persons in St. James. The QEC last week donated care packages and phone credit to 35 students, and their families, from 17 infant schools, primary schools, and secondary...

Minister with responsibility for Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Karl Samuda, says the earlier date for the sitting of the external examinations will limit disruption to the new school year. “The earlier start date will see our students completing their exams by August 3, allowing them a much-needed break before the start of the new school year in September,” Mr....

Minister of Transport and Mining, Hon. Robert Montague, says several pieces of legislation will be enacted to ensure improved working conditions for ship workers and to decrease pollution of the country’s maritime space. Among them is legislation to implement the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006), which is crucial for the hospitality section of the industry. “This legislation will ensure that...

The Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) intends to introduce a biodiesel project and electric buses this year as it continues to put measures in place to modernise its operations, reduce costs and improve efficiencies. “These, coupled with our natural gas project, will diversify our energy sources and is intended to cut the cost of energy,” said Transport and Mining Minister,...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says, to date, 2,300 Jamaicans have entered the island under the Government’s re-entry programme at a cost of $1 billion. In a Statement to the House of Representatives on June 2, the Prime Minister informed that the costs incurred were for “testing, quarantining, logistics surrounding all the operations, for meals and transportation [and...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says all passengers arriving in Jamaica up to June 30, will undergo mandatory screening for the coronavirus (COVID-19). Speaking in the House of Representatives on June 2, he also informed that during the period June 1 to 14, all persons arriving in Jamaica will go through a screening process that has two elements...

There has been a 28 per cent reduction in the number of children reported missing from January to April of 2020, when compared to the similar period last year. The National Children’s Registry (NCR) received 384 reports of children missing for the period, in comparison to the 532 reports last year. This was disclosed by Acting Registrar at the NCR,...