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Cabinet has reviewed the bonding requirements for persons, who receive support from or through the Government, to pursue education and training opportunities. Under the new policy, which becomes effective on January 1, 2009, persons who receive training at a cost of $300,000 and less, will no longer be required to serve a bond. "For those who receive funding between $300,000...

Prime Minister Bruce Golding, has expressed disappointment at how some fellow parliamentarians, who support the retention of the death penalty, behaved during this week's debate in Parliament. The Prime Minister, who recently ushered two conscience votes on capital punishment, said that he did not agree with the insensitive behaviour. "I would have preferred if we did not see some of...

The National Parent Teachers' Association of Jamaica (NPTAJ), will be expanding its training programmes, in an effort to have at least 50 trained parents in each parish by next year. This was disclosed by President of the NPTAJ, Miranda Sutherland, in an interview with JIS News. "We have, in the past, provided training in conflict resolution and parenting skills. In...

Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, has said that an aggressive marketing campaign is being undertaken to lure tourists to the island, noting that advertisements are already being circulated to major media outlets such as CNN. Mr. Bartlett, who was speaking at yesterday's (Nov. 26) post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, said that despite the meltdown of the global economy, there...

The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and the Dispute Resolution Foundation (DRF), will host their annual general meeting, workshop and reception on Friday, November 28 at the Hilton Kingston. Convenor of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, John Bassie, told JIS News today (Nov. 26), that the workshop, which is being held under the theme: 'Commercial Dispute Resolution - A Global Tool...

The House of Representatives has affirmed the Civil Service General Order of 2008, which indicates changes that have been made in the civil service establishment since 2006. Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Audley Shaw, who tabled the Order, in the House on November 25, explained that part one refers to changes in salaries, with new salary scales for...

Prime Minister Bruce Golding, has given an undertaking that expansion of the Land Administration and Management Programme (LAMP), would continue, and that the Government would seek to, under the Facilities for Titles Act, attract additional financial and mortgage-lending institutions. Mr. Golding was responding, yesterday (November 25), to a Motion put forward in the House of Representatives by Member of Parliament...

Acting Principal of the Christina Leased Primary School in Manchester, Thelma Hendricks, has welcomed the new block of classrooms at the institution, noting that the addition has not only addressed the problem of overcrowding, but has helped to improve the attitude of students. "The atmosphere has changed here. Children are no longer fighting for space. For years, we had a...

The level of poverty in Jamaica for 2007 was 9.9 per cent, a reduction of 4.4 percentage points over 2006. This was disclosed by Senior Policy Analyst at the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Christopher Smith, at the official launch of the Jamaica Survey of Living Conditions 2007, held at the Knutsford Court Hotel, in Kingston, on November 26. Mr....

Minister of Health and Environment, Rudyard Spencer, said that measures are being devised to increase the number of beneficiaries under the National Health Fund (NHF) and the Jamaica Drug for the Elderly Programme (JADEP). The Minister, who was addressing the NHF's annual awards ceremony held on Monday (Nov. 24) at the Mona Visitors' Lodge, said that beneficiaries under NHF and...

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has commended the efforts and commitment of the Jamaican Government, to address the issue of violence against women. "UNFPA acknowledges the Government of Jamaica for the positive steps taken in this regard. These include the passage of the Domestic Violence Amendment Act, the draft Sexual Harassment Policy, development of the National Gender Policy, the...

More positive voices are needed in the society, to highlight the country's achievements and to uplift communities. This was emphasised by Reverend Dr. Orville Neil, of the Church Without Walls, Oxford Road, Kingston, as he delivered the sermon at the recent St. Elizabeth Homecoming Foundation's Service of Thanksgiving, held at the Barbary Hall Anglican Church. "When the things that are...