Persons without formal qualifications, but with the requisite experience and vocational skills, will soon be able to access higher education. This will be made possible through the National Qualification Framework of Jamaica (NQF-J), which facilitates the identification of various avenues individuals can take to higher education, depending on the level of these qualifications. It also facilitates mature entry into programmes....

PRESS RELEASE - Finance Minister, Audley Shaw, on Wednesday, met with his Chinese counterpart Mr. Xiao Jie, at the Ministry of Finance in Beijing, China. Minister Shaw updated Minister Xiao on the Jamaican economy and the status of Chinese investment projects in Jamaica’s infrastructure development. He briefed Minister Xiao on the increased activities since he met with the then Minister...

President of the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA), Metry Seaga, says the sector has a key role to play in facilitating the country’s plan of achieving five per cent growth in the next four years. He noted that the manufacturing sector contributes 8.5 per cent to gross domestic product (GDP) compared to agriculture, forestry and fisheries which contribute 7.3 per cent;...

The Government will spend $46.6 million to upgrade the country’s international postal system in the 2017-18 fiscal year. Funding for this initiative will be provided by the Universal Postal Union, an international organisation which helps to ensure a universal network of up-to-date products and services. The money has been set aside in the 2017-18 Estimates of Expenditure now before the...

Education, Youth and Information Minister, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, says the Government has honoured its financial commitments to secondary schools under the non-mandatory fees policy and the institutions have complied with the measure. The policy, which abolishes the payment of auxiliary fees, came into effect at the start of the 2016-17 school year in September. It discontinued the payment...

The Government is examining ways to more effectively utilise the CARIFORUM-European Union (EU) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) to strengthen Jamaica’s trade relations with the 27-member EU. This is against the background of significant developments, notably the pending departure of the United Kingdom (UK), Jamaica’s largest trading partner in that bloc, said Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, Senator the Hon....

The Child Development Agency (CDA) is observing its annual National Foster Care Recognition Week from February 12 to 18, under the theme: ‘Your Home Makes a Difference’. The observance is aimed at heightening awareness, recruiting potential foster parents and highlighting the positive contributions that existing foster parents make in the lives of children entrusted in their care. The week’s activities...