Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, says there are encouraging signs that the economy is on the rebound. Therefore, he is calling on the private sector to continue, like the Government, “to take ownership of the future by exhibiting greater levels of confidence in the performance of the economy under the prevailing Economic Reform Programme.” Addressing the...

Minister of Education, Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites says the country is on track to achieve the target of 100 per cent literacy at the primary level by 2015. The Minister made the revelation during his contribution to the 2014/15 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, May 7. He pointed out that while the nation’s girls are leading...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller on Friday morning, May 9, opened the new office building for Guardsman Armoured Limited on South Camp Road, downtown Kingston. Congratulating the company, the Prime Minister said the new building represents another expression of confidence by a private sector entity in the potential of the Jamaican economy to grow beyond its current...

More emphasis will be placed on science, technology and vocational education in schools during this financial year, to provide the skills needed by foreign investors. This was stated by Minister of Education, Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites, while addressing ambassadors and representatives of high commissions at a meeting held on May 8 in the conference room at the Ministry, in Kingston....

Economist and University Lecturer, Dr. Andre Haughton, says the Government had no better option than to raise new taxes to help finance the budget this financial year. “The additional taxes that the Government is collecting this year are really in an effort for them not to borrow any additional sums,” Dr. Haughton argued. The Economist gave his views during an...

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is providing $330 million (US$3 million) in grant assistance to support targeted community activities under phase two of its Community Empowerment and Transformation Project (COMET II). The Small Grants Programme will provide direct funding support to community groups, faith-based organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and civil society organisations, to assist in strengthening local...

Minister of Education Hon. Rev Ronald Thwaites says school boards and principals are responsible for the successful implementation of improvement plans. The Minister was speaking at a post-Sectoral press briefing held at the Office of the Prime Minister on Thursday, May 8. He was speaking in relation to the development of school improvements plans for schools, based on data from...