Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., has issued a call to the private sector and corporations operating in Jamaica to ensure that their supply chains are free from child labour. He also urged the adoption of transparent, responsible business practices consistent with international labour standards. The Minister was responding to the outcomes of the Sixth Global...

Approximately 200 grade six and grade 11 students from across Westmoreland and St. James have strengthened their competencies in Mathematics and English Language, and in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), respectively. This was achieved through a major series of capacity building and development sessions hosted by the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Region Four, at Maud McLeod...

Youth in Seaview Gardens, St. Andrew, were connected to educational, training, and employment opportunities during a Youth Empowerment Fair hosted in the community by the Social Development Commission (SDC) on Friday, February 20. SDC Parish Manager for Kingston and St. Andrew, Wade Brown, told JIS News that the initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between young...

The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Region Four, is intensifying efforts to locate approximately 1,000 students who remain unaccounted for following disruptions to the education system caused by Hurricane Melissa last year. Regional Director Dr. Michele Pinnock told JIS News that structured retrieval efforts are currently underway across the Region. These involve guidance counsellors, social workers, and school...

A new classroom block has opened at the deCarteret College in Manchester providing more comfortable instructional space for sixth-form students. The 2,550 square-foot unit, which houses three classrooms, was built by the school’s parent-teacher association with government support. The project spanned three PTA administrations, which raised funds, pooled resources and sought donations. It was built on top of an existing...

Brian Levy of York Castle High School in St. Ann earned top honours in the 2025 Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Heritage Competition with his illustrated poster entry in the Grades 10-13 category. He received a trophy, a $20,000 cash prize from JIS, a share certificate valued $5,000 to open an account at First Heritage Co-operative Credit Union, a US$50 gift...

Principal of Munro College, Dr. Mark Smith, says the institution is implementing targeted measures to support students and recover academic ground lost following the passage of Hurricane Melissa. “We believe that with the special interventions that we put in place, we'll be able to recover,” he told JIS News. The St. Elizabeth-based institution sustained extensive damage, including destroyed roofs, flooded...