The Early Childhood Commission (ECC) is turning national focus on early-childhood education as Jamaica marks 2022 as the Year of Early Childhood Development. Chairperson of the Regulation and Certification Committee of the ECC Board, David Salmon, told JIS in an interview that the designation provides the opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of early-child development, and increase emphasis on...

Research Scientist at the International Centre for Environmental and Nuclear Sciences (ICENS) at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Johann Antoine, is urging Jamaicans to practise proper disposal of electronic (e)-waste. Speaking in an interview with JIS News, he noted that discarded electrical or electronic devices such as old cell phones, monitors, televisions, and tablets, have become a growing...

The region’s capacity to protect crop production has been strengthened following the establishment of a new seed facility at the Bodles Research Station in Old Harbour, St. Catherine. Funded by the Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience (PPCR), the new seed facility will facilitate storage of seeds in good physical and physiological condition from the time they are harvested until the...

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will be able to access up to $50 million at a competitive market rate of 6.5 per cent per annum, with up to 12 years for repayment. This has been made possible under the Manufacturing and Agro-Processing Loan facility, launched by Sagicor Bank on February 15. The product is intended to provide existing medium-sized companies...

Jamaican pioneers in Georgia, United States of America, are being hailed for the role they have played in the advancement of Jamaica as well as their communities overseas. “We salute you and thank you for your contributions to the enrichment of our society and for assisting in the shaping of the future for which we yearn,” said Minister of State...

Approximately $290.5 million has been earmarked to continue implementation of the Jamaica Foundations for Competitiveness and Growth Project. The sum is programmed in the 2022/23 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. The project aims to strengthen Jamaica’s business environment for private-sector investment by enhancing competition; facilitating strategic private investments; strengthening the capacities of small and medium-sized enterprises...

The Ministry of Education and Youth (MoEY) is reporting that a decision has been taken to postpone the Grade Six Primary Exit Profile (PEP) Ability Test from its originally scheduled date of February 22, 2022, to March 24, 2022. However, the Grade Six Performance-Based Test scheduled for March 22 and 24, 2022, have been cancelled. Meanwhile, the Grade Six Curriculum-Based...