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Minister of State for Education and Youth, Senator Noel Monteith, has strongly condemned the brutal slaying of 15-year old Tavia Smith and her six-year brother Tajae. The students, who resided in the Portmore community of St. Catherine, were killed by gunmen last week. "I want publicly on behalf of the Ministry of Education and Youth and myself, to publicly condemn...

Reverend Dr. Alfred B. Johnson, Pastor of the Clinton Presbyterian Avenue Church in New Jersey, has received a National Clergy Renewal Programme grant, funded by the Indianapolis-based Eli Lily Endowment Inc. The grant will enable Rev. Johnson, a Jamaican, to go on a sabbatical, visiting England and Scotland. In England, he will be searching for the roots from which the...

This is a blessed occasion for the Creative Production and Training Centre, CPTC. It brings to mind a wonderful phrase -- "beauty for ashes" found in the King James version of the Bible. In Isaiah 61, we see a promise made by God to the children of Israel. The promise was to give them, "beauty for ashes, the oil of...

The Success Primary School, one of two schools opened in St. James on Friday (March 16), has been renamed the John Rollins Success Primary School in honour of the late philanthropist and businessman, who has made a significant contribution to the country's tourism sector. Minister of State for Education and Youth, Senator Noel Monteith, in his address at the opening...

Chief Executive Officer of United Way of Jamaica, Winsome Wilkins, has said that the organization raised nearly $92 million last year, to undertake projects and programmes to meet the social and material needs of the less fortunate in the society. The amount, she said, was $31 million above target, and $40 million more than the $52 million raised in 2005....

The two-day Cabinet Retreat ended yesterday (March 16) at Jamaica House, with the Planning Institute of Jamaica giving an update on the work being done on the preparation of the Long Term Development Plan to take Jamaica to developed country status within 20 years. The work includes modeling of different sectors and the creation of an overall planning framework for...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, has expressed sadness at the sudden death this morning of the manager and coach of the Pakistan cricket team, Bob Woolmer. Mr. Woolmer was found unconscious in his hotel room at the Jamaica Pegasus and was rushed to the University Hospital of the West Indies, where he was pronounced dead. "A dark...

The Spot Valley High and John Rollins Success Primary schools in St. James, which were constructed under the government's $3.5 billion North Western Schools Programme, were officially opened and dedicated yesterday (March 16). Minister of State for Education and Youth, Senator Noel Monteith, who attended the dedication ceremonies, said that the opening of the new schools illustrated the commitment of...

The Manchester Club in Mandeville, said to be the oldest golfing club in the Caribbean, yesterday (March 16) staged a "heritage tournament" to mark its 142nd anniversary. Captain at the club, Carlisle Welsh, told JIS News that the one-day event had the full backing of the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo). Meanwhile, he informed that the club was working with...

Minister of National Security, Dr. Hon. Peter Phillips, has said that Jamaica has made significant progress over the years, with the quality of life of the majority of the population greatly improved. Citing data from the 'Survey of Living Conditions' Dr. Phillips said that life expectancy had been extended and now approached the levels of most developed countries. In addition,...

Operators of early childhood institutions in central Jamaica were sensitized about the new regulations and standards that will govern the sector, at a workshop held recently at the Mandeville Infant School in Manchester. Speaking at the event, Coordinator for the Enhancement of Basic Schools project, Freda Thomas, said that Jamaica has been working toward the achievement of higher standards for...

The national Farmers' Registration Programme moved one step further in Portland on March 15, with the photographing of several farmers for their identification cards. These identification cards will be vital to members of the farming community, as they will prove their authenticity as farmers and used along with the farmer's receipt book, as part of the effort to reduce the...