Approximately 95 per cent of early-childhood institutions have been registered with the Early Childhood Commission (ECC). This was disclosed by Acting Communications Manager at the ECC, Sonia Stewart, at the opening ceremony of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) Early Childhood Education Conference at the Holiday Inn Resort in St. James on December 18. “The drive to get institutions compliant with...

State Minister in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Dr. the Hon. Norman Dunn, is warning employers not to engage persons under the age of 18 years to work in their establishments. Section 34 of the Childcare and Protection Act (CCPA) criminalises child labour. Under the Act, a fine not exceeding $500,000 or a term of imprisonment not exceeding...

Prime Minister, the Most. Hon. Andrew Holness (left) presents Christmas gifts to a child in State care, during his annual treat for children, which was held on the grounds of the Office of the Prime Minister on Sunday (December 17).

Two Child Friendly Spaces (CFSs) were officially opened at separate locations in the corporate area, as part of efforts to effectively respond to victims of child trafficking. The facilities, funded by the Warnath Group, are located at the National Children’s Registry (NCR) and the Glenhope Child Care Facility. The spaces created are directly for the interviewing and screening of suspected...

Five hundred and nine young Jamaicans have been ‘LIFTed’ into the next step of their personal and professional lives, thanks to the Government’s Learning and Investment for Transformation (LIFT) programme. The cohort is the first set of participants in the programme, which was announced by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, in his Budget presentation earlier this year, and...

The Early Childhood Commission (ECC) is inviting Jamaicans at home and in the diaspora to consider donating to early-childhood institutions (ECIs) for Christmas. ECC Chair, Trisha Williams-Singh, told JIS News that persons can donate to a government institution or “the institution that has made you the person you are today”. Mrs. Williams-Singh said donations in cash or kind can assist...

The Ministry of Education and Youth has introduced a behaviour change support model for students, aimed at ensuring that their basic and mental health, safety, security, and behavioural and nutritional needs are met. Rollout of the Behaviour Change Support Services for Students in primary and secondary schools will begin in the new school term in January 2024. In secondary schools,...