The Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI) has teamed with Agrocaelum Limited to train pilots for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), commonly called drones. Part of the agreement will see a drone laboratory established at the CMI, through funding from Agrocaelum. Along with the training of pilots, there will also be testing of the drones to meet regional agricultural needs, which involve the...

Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, is calling for increased multilateral partnerships, in order to bring optimum prosperity to the people of the Caribbean. Speaking at the opening of a high-level meeting between CARICOM and the Republic of Korea on February 27 at the Iberostar Rose Hall Resort in St. James, the Minister said...

The Early Childhood Commission (ECC) is deepening its engagement with existing partners and targeting new ones, as it seeks to certify approximately 300 basic schools by 2019. One hundred institutions, with an enrolment of approximately 5,000 children, are being targeted under the initial certification phase, which commenced last September and is scheduled for completion in August 2017. Board Chair, Trisha...

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, says $20 million will be provided to rehabilitate the road leading to the birthplace of National Hero, The Right Excellent Sir Alexander Bustamante in Blenheim, Hanover. Mr. McKenzie, who was speaking at the 133rd birthday anniversary celebrations of Jamaica’s first Prime Minister in the community on February 24, said plans...

The Heart Foundation of Jamaica (HFJ) is urging parents and school officials to take responsibility for the screening of student athletes in order to detect risks for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). “It is important to get the children screened and not wait for somebody else to pay for it,” said the HFJ’s Executive Director, Deborah Chen. She pointed out that...

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most. Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, is calling on all Jamaicans to volunteer their time and efforts to activities that will uplift the nation. “We are at a critical crossroads in nation building where me must press every nerve and go forward. If we stand still and do nothing, then we will reap the devastating consequences,” he...

A number of students and officials are hailing the renewed thrust of agriculture in schools, with the relaunch of the National School Garden Programme in November. The Programme seeks to demonstrate the importance of agriculture to students, while boosting the provision of breakfast in educational institutions across the island. Some 196 schools have been selected for the first phase of...