The cost of damage sustained by parochial infrastructure during the recent heavy rains has been estimated at over $100 million. This was disclosed by Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon Desmond McKenzie, who said: “We are expecting that once the rain subsides and more assessment is undertaken, that we will see an increase in that number.” The rainfall...

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, says the commencement date of the Sexual Harassment Act is set for Monday, July 3, 2023. Ms. Grange made the announcement during her contribution to the 2023/24 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on June 13. The legislation addresses concerns about sexual harassment that are employment-related, occurring in institutions,...

The security procedures at public schools will be reviewed, particularly the protocols for collecting students. “I have asked the Minister of Education to immediately direct that the school safety and security policy be reviewed [especially] as it relates to the release of children at the closure of school, or if someone is coming to retrieve the child before school is...

Twenty grade-10 students, who are pursuing agriculture studies at secondary level institutions in St. Catherine, have received a donation of $600,000 from Jamaican workers at Gebbers Farms in Washington in the United States (US). The beneficiary schools are Glengoffe High, Guys Hill High, Charlemont High, Ewarton High, McGrath High, Dinthill Technical High, Enid Bennett High, Tacius Golding High, Old Harbour...

Stakeholder regulators across the region are being urged to build resilient pension systems with the capacity to respond to small and large shocks and navigate a rapidly changing financial sector. This charge comes from Financial Services Commission (FSC) Executive Director, Major Keron Burrell, who delivered the keynote address during Tuesday’s (June 13) opening ceremony for the Caribbean Association of Pensions...

Teachers at all levels of the academic system are being invited to attend The Mico University College’s International Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) conference, from July 5 to 7 at the AC Hotel by Marriott Kingston. The event, to be held under the theme ‘Transforming Jamaica Through Education’, will afford participants the opportunity to learn about the skills needed...

The Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) is assuring the public that normalcy will shortly return to its operations as the system upgrade that was initiated, consequent on the newly launched electronic passports (e-passports), is nearing completion. Speaking on Tuesday (June 13) during Nationwide 90 Radio’s ‘Ask the Minister’ segment, PICA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Andrew Wynter, noted that the...