分类： society

The Ministry of Education in Guyana has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative aimed at fostering moral and civic education within the national school curriculum, alongside the introduction of a dedicated website for reporting bullying incidents. Education Minister Sonia Parag announced the plan during a national anti-bullying consultation, emphasizing its role in a broader strategy to eliminate bullying and instill positive values among students. Parag highlighted that moral education is essential for cultivating empathy, kindness, and responsibility in the younger generation. ‘Moral education should serve as the cornerstone for personal growth, helping us become better individuals,’ she stated, underscoring the importance of making acts of kindness and goodwill habitual. As part of this initiative, the Ministry also launched the Management Information System Unit (MISU) platform, a secure digital tool designed to enable students, parents, and teachers to report instances of bullying or harassment effectively.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Dane Soares demonstrated remarkable community spirit by serving warm meals to residents and passers-by in Powell Town, near Southfield, St Elizabeth. On Sunday, Soares prepared and distributed red peas and cow skin soup, offering comfort and sustenance to dozens of individuals navigating the challenges of the post-hurricane environment. His selfless act not only provided nourishment but also highlighted the resilience and solidarity of the local community during difficult times. The gesture was captured in a photograph by Garfield Robinson, showcasing the heartwarming scene of Soares pouring soup into a cup for those in need.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a significant move to aid educators affected by Hurricane Melissa, the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) has allocated an initial $35 million for relief efforts. The decision was ratified during a central executive meeting held on Friday, November 7, 2025. Under the leadership of President Mark Malabver, the JTA has crafted a comprehensive national relief and recovery plan aimed at addressing both immediate and long-term needs of teachers. This initiative underscores the association’s steadfast dedication to the well-being and recovery of its members. Malabver emphasized that this effort is not merely financial but also a profound expression of solidarity and compassion. Teachers, who have once again faced the brunt of a national disaster, continue to demonstrate remarkable resilience. The JTA is committed to supporting them in rebuilding their lives and homes. The $35 million, sourced from the JTA’s investment portfolio, will be distributed as follows: $3 million for immediate relief supplies such as food, toiletries, and emergency kits; $2 million for logistical support including transportation and distribution; and $30 million for infrastructure recovery and rebuilding assistance. To ensure fairness and transparency, the infrastructure funds will be allocated across the JTA’s four regions using a 5:4:2:1 ratio, with the south central and western regions receiving the highest allocations due to the severity of the damage. Regional executives, in collaboration with parish and district association presidents, will conduct assessments to identify teachers in need and determine the extent of losses. A National Disaster Relief Oversight Committee (NDROC) has been established to manage and monitor all aspects of the relief process. Chaired by the JTA president, the committee includes senior officers, trustees, and committee chairs responsible for finance, properties, membership, and professional advancement. NDROC will ensure that all disbursements and donations are handled with full transparency, equity, and accountability. Recognizing the emotional toll of Hurricane Melissa, the JTA will also implement a series of psychosocial initiatives. These include expanding its counselling on demand programmes, launching an online psychosocial support programme, and providing crisis leadership and management training for teachers and school leaders in collaboration with international partners such as the American Federation of Teachers and Education International.

Jamaica’s coffee industry is grappling with profound emotional and economic challenges in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, according to Norman Grant, chairman of the Jamaica Coffee Exporters Association. In a recent interview with the Jamaica Observer, Grant highlighted the deep-seated frustration and depression among farmers, who have faced repeated setbacks over the past four years due to climate change. ‘Every time you build, you then break as there’s another setback,’ Grant lamented, emphasizing the toll of constant recovery efforts. The sector has suffered an estimated $2.5 billion in losses since 2019, with Blue Mountain coffee farmers alone losing approximately $1 billion due to the hurricane. Grant warned that these figures could rise as the full extent of the damage becomes apparent. Beyond financial losses, Grant stressed the emotional strain on farmers, many of whom are struggling to envision a return to normalcy. He called for a comprehensive recovery approach that addresses both mental health and financial needs, urging the Ministry of Agriculture to prioritize support for the sector. ‘We need to move beyond the narrative of resilience and provide tangible assistance,’ Grant argued, underscoring the critical role of rural development in Jamaica’s recovery efforts.

In response to the severe water shortages caused by Hurricane Melissa, Rural Roots Corporation Limited has initiated a comprehensive water relief effort across multiple communities in southern St. Elizabeth, Jamaica. Spearheaded by CEO Junior Todd, the initiative has already delivered cases of drinking water to residents in Newell, Watchwell, Bethany, Bigwoods, Hounslow, Short Hill, and parts of Beacon and Newcombe Valley. Each household received a case of bottled water as part of the first phase of the Rural Roots Water Initiative. The project was made possible through the collective contributions of Rural Roots Corporation Limited, the Todd family, and their friends, who raised over $1 million to fund the purchase and distribution of the water. ‘Water is life, and at Rural Roots, we don’t see ourselves as just another company,’ said CEO Junior Todd. ‘We are part of this community. We understand the struggle, and we feel the hardship when access to clean water becomes difficult. This is our way of giving back and standing with our people.’ The company has emphasized that this is only the beginning, with plans to extend assistance to additional communities in the coming days. Rural Roots also expressed its gratitude to the Todd family, friends, and volunteers whose support was instrumental in making the relief effort possible. Their contributions reflect the enduring spirit of unity and resilience in St. Elizabeth. ‘As we move forward, we want the people of St. Elizabeth and beyond to know that Rural Roots will continue to stand with the community, in good times and in challenging times,’ Todd added. ‘This initiative is just the beginning of our ongoing commitment to uplift and support rural Jamaica.’ Rural Roots Corporation Limited remains steadfast in its dedication to serving Jamaica’s rural heartland, not only as a business but as an active partner in community development.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a decisive move to bolster recovery efforts following Hurricane Melissa, the Ministry of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications has unveiled a new protocol to facilitate toll-free access for authorized aid and relief vehicles. Effective Monday, November 10, this initiative aims to expedite the delivery of essential supplies, personnel, and assistance to hurricane-affected communities by ensuring unimpeded passage through toll corridors.

Portfolio Minister Daryl Vaz emphasized that the protocol underscores the Government’s dedication to accelerating national recovery. ‘The Government remains steadfast in supporting relief and recovery operations across the island. We recognize the urgency of these missions and have implemented this streamlined process to eliminate administrative or logistical barriers,’ Vaz stated.

Under the new system, ministries, departments, agencies (MDAs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), charitable bodies, and international partners engaged in relief work must submit a detailed written request to the Toll Authority of Jamaica. Required information includes the date of travel, organization details, vehicle specifications, driver credentials, toll corridor usage, destination, and security escort particulars if applicable.

Applications can be submitted via email to toll.authority@mtw.gov.jm or jerome.palmer@mtw.gov.jm, or by calling (876) 929-5119 or (876) 929-6393. Approvals will be processed within nine hours or less. Private individuals or volunteer groups involved in recognized relief efforts may also apply, subject to verification by the authority.

Once approved, a letter of authorization will be issued, enabling toll-free passage. Drivers must present this letter at toll plazas, where concessionaires will retain copies for audit purposes. Notably, existing arrangements for marked emergency and security vehicles—such as police, fire, ambulance, and military units—remain unchanged, ensuring their continued unrestricted access.

The protocol will remain in effect until government-led recovery operations conclude. Minister Vaz also expressed gratitude to emergency responders, utility crews, volunteers, families, the entertainment sector, corporate Jamaica, and other private groups for their unwavering support in restoring normalcy across the island.

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, which left many Jamaicans without access to clean water, Mission Mules, a Christian non-profit disaster response organization, has stepped in to provide a vital solution. The organization has deployed a reverse osmosis machine to purify water in Great Bay, near Treasure Beach in southern St Elizabeth. The machine, operational since Sunday, has been supplying thousands of gallons of purified water daily from a local pond that formed due to flooding caused by the hurricane. This initiative has become a lifeline for the community, especially after the nearby water pumping station’s generator was damaged during the Category 5 storm, leaving residents without a reliable water supply.

The US Supreme Court on Monday deliberated on a significant case involving Damon Landor, a devout Rastafarian who is seeking monetary damages after his dreadlocks were forcibly cut while he was incarcerated in Louisiana. Landor argues that his religious rights were violated and is seeking permission to sue individual officials from the Louisiana Department of Corrections. His lawyer, Zachary Tripp, emphasized that without the possibility of damages, officials could disregard the law with impunity. Louisiana has admitted that the treatment of Landor was contrary to religious freedom and has since revised its prison grooming policy. However, the state maintains that federal law does not allow for monetary damages against state officials sued in their individual capacity, a stance that seemed to resonate with the court’s conservative majority. Landor, who had been growing his hair for nearly two decades, was serving the final weeks of a five-month sentence for drug possession in 2020 when the incident occurred. Despite presenting prison guards with a 2017 court ruling that affirmed Rastafarians’ right to keep their dreadlocks, a guard discarded the document and proceeded to shave Landor’s head while he was handcuffed to a chair. An appeals court condemned the treatment as ‘egregious’ but ruled that Landor could not sue individual officials for damages. The case has drawn attention from both left and right-leaning legal advocates, highlighting the complex intersection of religious liberty and government accountability. The Supreme Court, which has historically been reluctant to approve damages against individual officials, has also shown a tendency to support plaintiffs in religious liberty cases.

In response to the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica’s Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport has unveiled a comprehensive fundraising campaign. Spearheaded by Portfolio Minister Olivia Grange, the initiative includes the ‘I Love Jamaica Telethon and Concert Series,’ designed to mobilize resources for recovery efforts. The telethon, scheduled for Sunday, November 23, from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm, will be broadcast live on CVM TV and TVJ, as well as streamed globally on digital platforms. The event will feature performances by renowned artists such as Chris Martin, Masicka, Alaine, and Tarrus Riley, alongside sports icons like Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and Asafa Powell, who will actively participate by answering donation calls. Minister Grange emphasized the importance of leveraging Jamaica’s creative and sports sectors to support those most affected, particularly in the western parishes. All funds raised will be managed by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. Additionally, a series of international concerts will be held, starting in London on November 13 at KOKO Camden, followed by a mega concert at the O2 in London on December 21, 2025, featuring UB40 and Culture Club. Other concerts are planned for Miami/Miramar, New York, Toronto, Washington DC, and Los Angeles, with Serbia also expressing interest in hosting an event. The campaign has garnered support from global figures, including Damian Marley and Ghetto Youths International, who are organizing fundraising events in the US. The ministry is also collaborating with the Jamaica Football Federation to host international friendly games featuring the Reggae Boyz in the US and UK, while the Caribbean Premier League and Chris Gayle are contributing to the cause.