As the February 26 Local Government Elections approach, the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) is reminding employers that workers are entitled time off to vote. Director of Elections, Glasspole Brown, told JIS News that under the law, every employer is required to permit employees who intend to vote, three hours to do so. This is in addition to the usual...

Bank of Jamaica wishes to advise that on Monday, 26 February 2024, teller services to members of the public will be closed at 11:00 a.m. In this regard, the public will have access to teller services from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. This is to facilitate the relevant staff members getting time off to vote in the Local Government Elections....

The foreign exchange market remains relatively stable, reflecting continued strong tourism revenue and remittance inflows, as well as the effect of actions taken by the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ). Governor, Richard Byles, made the disclosure during the Central Bank’s Quarterly Monetary Policy Press Conference at the BOJ on Wednesday (February 21). “To prevent undue volatility in the foreign exchange market,...

Director General of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Dr. Wayne Henry, says the country’s economic prospects over the short to medium term are positive. Speaking during the PIOJ’s quarterly media briefing on Wednesday (February 21), Dr. Henry said this outlook is consequent on the continued growth in the economies of Jamaica’s main trading partners, which augurs well for increased...

The Government has made a budgetary allocation of $406 million to commence the second phase of the Rehabilitation of Research Centres project in the agricultural sector in the upcoming fiscal year. The allocation is contained in the 2024/25 Estimates of Expenditure, which was tabled in the House of Representatives by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon....

Administration of the 2024 Primary Exit Profile (PEP) test for grade six will begin on February 22, 2024, with the sitting of the Ability Test. Grade-six students will sit the Performance Task on March 20 and 21, 2024, and the curriculum-based test on April 24 and 25, 2024. Acting Chief Education Officer in the Ministry of Education and Youth, Terry-...

The Ministry of Education and Youth has launched a National School Garden Project, under the theme ‘Eat what you grow, from the farm to the table’. This $10-million project will see the establishment of school gardens in 23 schools across the island and is part of the Ministry’s plan to transform the National School Feeding Programme. Speaking at the virtual...