February has been designated ‘Play Month’ by the Early Childhood Commission (ECC).  The Month, which has been endorsed by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Jamaica Office, is being observed under the theme ‘The Passion for Play’. According to Education Specialist with UNICEF Jamaica, Dr. Rebecca Tortello, Play Month is an extension of ‘Play Day Ja’.  It is commemorated annually...

The Government will be amending the new Road Traffic Act and Regulations in order to reinforce public transportation safety for children and the wider public.   Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, made the announcement during a media briefing on Friday (February 3).  It comes in the wake of a decision by several operators of public passenger vehicles (PPVs) islandwide...

Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are being encouraged to take advantage of the Government’s Productive Inputs Relief (PIR) scheme, which facilitates duty-free importation of specific items intended for productive use. State Minister in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Dr. the Hon. Norman Dunn, extended the invitation while addressing the Honey Bun Foundation Advisory Committee cocktail reception at...

Jamaicans are being encouraged to make reasonable attempts to resolve their disputes amicably, rather than resorting to violence. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, in reiterating the call, said Jamaica’s crime problem will not improve unless citizens resort to more peaceful ways to settle disagreements. He was speaking during a recent ceremony to hand...

The Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry is spearheading an initiative through which agricultural students are being mentored on the business aspect of the sector and how this can be linked with tourism. Project Chair, Nadine Spence, said the Chamber’s Workforce Development Committee conceptualised the initiative to highlight the “convenient marriage” between agriculture and tourism and the many opportunities...

The Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC) has advised that its Licensing and Registration offices, located at 78cef Hagley Park Road, Kingston 10, will be closed from Monday, February 6 to Friday, February 17. This is to facilitate preparations for the upcoming Licensing and Renewal activities, which will begin in March. Applications from existing and potential gaming operators will not...

The Ministry of Justice is aiming to expand its alternative Justice Programme offerings, with a focus on vulnerable groups. In an interview with JIS News, Justice Minister, Hon. Delroy Chuck, said not all cases have to go before the court to be addressed. “We know that we have a fair amount of domestic abuse, and these abused persons should really...