Effective April 1, Jamaicans will no longer be required to pay tuition or administrative fees for HEART-NSTA Trust programmes up to level four (associate degree), says Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness.   “This will allow for access to vocational training for all Jamaicans, regardless of economic status. This will be a game changer for poor, underserved youth, who see...

The Forestry Department will be collaborating with the National Works Agency (NWA) to plant trees along all new road projects islandwide.  Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, said the trees will soften the impact of the infrastructure works, improve the aesthetics of the areas, increase biodiversity and contribute to the reduction of the “heat island effect”, particularly within urban...

Fifteen Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) islandwide have been identified for enhanced protection.   Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, made the disclosure in his contribution to the 2023/24 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on Thursday (March 16).  He said the geographical areas will have restrictions on the types of activities that may be permitted, to preserve their hydrological...

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) have been tasked with establishing special security operations around key infrastructure projects. Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, said the aim is to ensure that major projects which will be undertaken are not hijacked by criminals seeking to illicitly benefit from public resources through extortion or...

The commissioning of the Macka Hill Pipeline Replacement Project in St. Mary Southeast now provides residents of the community and adjoining areas, with greater access to a reliable water supply. The $31 million investment was officially commissioned into service by Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda, and other stakeholders,...

Student participation in the annual Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) festival of the performing arts remains high. Acting JCDC Executive Director, Marjorie Leyden-Kirton, told JIS News that student involvement is back to pre-pandemic levels, as schools are eager to return to the national stage. She said there have been close to 7,000 entries for the various competitions this year. “My...

Late Jamaican basketballer, Simone Edwards, has been hailed as the “perfect example” of individuals who have not allowed their humble beginnings to prevent them from attaining success. Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, made the comment while addressing a Service of Thanksgiving for the former national women’s basketball team representative, at the University of Technology (UTech)...