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Dr. Herbert Thompson, President of the Northern Caribbean University, called for the creation of a new culture in the Jamaican society to allow for the achievement of good governance. He was one of the panelists at yesterday's (December 8, 2005) discussion on governance at the Cabinet Office. Dr. Thompson outlined ten areas which he thinks that the country should address...

Jamaicans have again been called to prayer to deliver the country from social ills, as the National Leadership Prayer Breakfast Committee stages a National Week of Prayer next month. Chairman of the Committee, Dr. Alston Henry, in his remarks at the Committee's 25th anniversary appreciation awards luncheon held on December 7 at the Courtleigh Hotel in Kingston, said that the...

University of the West Indies (UWI) Professor, Senator Trevor Munroe, has said that the quality of governance was determined by a number of players in the society and not just the government. Professor Munroe, who was contributing to the panel discussion on 'Good Governance: Perception versus reality' held yesterday (Dec. 8) at Jamaica House, acknowledged that whilst government must be...

The Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) has invested $19.6 million in the construction and rehabilitation of three basic schools in western Jamaica. The institutions are Sanguinetti Basic and Wilson Run in Trelawny, and the Chamber's Pen Basic School in Hanover. Officials from JSIF officially handed over the three schools in separate ceremonies held on December 8. Acting Finance and Administration...

As the yuletide season nears, the Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) is reminding merchants and shoppers to observe the provisions under the Consumer Protection Act. The Act provides for redress and or sanctions on behalf of consumers, who provide evidence to the CAC that they have been wronged. The Consumer Protection Act (CPA) also empowers the CAC to hold extra-judicial hearings...

The Ministry of Health is continuing to scale up its response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Jamaica, through expansion of its prevention programmes targeting high risk groups and the general population. According to information in a Ministry Paper on the National HIV/AIDS programme, which was tabled in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (December 6), a study conducted with the...

Nine students from primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, who copped the top places in the Planning Institute of Jamaica's (PIOJ) inaugural essay competition, were presented with their prizes at an awards ceremony held on Wednesday (Dec. 7) at the Institute's New Kingston headquarters. The awards ceremony marked the culmination of the PIOJ's 50th anniversary activities for the year. The students,...

Twenty seven new Justices of the Peace (JPs) were sworn in to serve the parish of St. Mary during a ceremony held at the Port Maria Civic Centre on Tuesday, December 6. The function was presided over by Custos of St. Mary, Hon. A.A. Bobby Pottinger. In attendance were Minister of Justice and Attorney General, A.J. Nicholson, members of the...

Some 700 children and 200 elderly citizens from Savanna-la-Mar and its environs in Westmoreland, will be hosted by the Westmoreland Parish Council at the Mayor's Christmas Treat at Independence Park in the town on December 21. This year's treat has been made possible largely through the generous donation of $200,000.00 by Digicel to the council. The cheque was presented to...

The University Council of Jamaica (UCJ) is advising tertiary level students who are pursuing accredited programmes, to refer their concerns to the Council, if the standard of these programmes are not being upheld by the institutions. In an interview with JIS News, Executive Director of the UCJ, Dr. Ethley London stressed that the UCJ insisted on "student centredness", and as...

The Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) will be implementing a new Examination Processing System next year as part of efforts to improve its efficiency. Chairman of the Council, Professor Kenneth Hall, who made the announcement at a press conference held recently at the Hilton Kingston Hotel, explained that the system was being introduced "in order to ensure the efficient processing of...

Education, Youth and Culture Minister, Maxine Henry Wilson has stressed that in the Caribbean's ongoing efforts to achieve sustainable development, emphasis has to be placed on fostering quality education and capacity building that would redound to the benefit of the region's youth. In order for Caribbean nations to achieve these goals, she said, "we must focus on the character of...