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  • Respected former principal of Carron Hall High in St Mary has died

    Respected former principal of Carron Hall High in St Mary has died

    The Jamaican educational community is mourning the passing of distinguished educator Dottlyn Norma Dawes, whose remarkable 36-year career left an indelible mark on Carron Hall High School in St. Mary. The former principal, who dedicated her professional life to the institution from 1977 until her retirement in 2013, passed away on January 3, 2026, following an extended period of illness.

    Current principal Carlinton Johnson announced the loss through an emotional tribute on the school’s official Facebook platform, commemorating Dawes’ extraordinary contributions to educational development in western St. Mary. During her transformative eighteen-year leadership tenure from 1995 to 2013, Dawes engineered the institution’s evolution from the formerly designated Carron Hall Vocational School—an all-girls establishment—into a progressive co-educational facility that expanded opportunities for countless students.

    Beyond her administrative accomplishments, Dawes received national recognition as a 2002 finalist for the prestigious Lasco/Jamaica Teachers’ Association Teacher of the Year Award, highlighting her exceptional pedagogical approach and dedication to student development. Her community engagement extended into the judicial sphere through her service as a St. Mary justice of the peace, demonstrating her multifaceted commitment to social advancement.

    The digital memorial space has become flooded with heartfelt remembrances from former students and colleagues, painting a portrait of an educator who possessed extraordinary belief in her pupils’ potential. Testimonials consistently highlight her unique ability to recognize and nurture talent in young learners, with many attributing their subsequent professional and personal achievements to her inspirational guidance and unwavering support. The overwhelming response underscores the profound personal connections she fostered throughout her decades of educational service, establishing a legacy that continues to resonate across generations of Jamaican students.

  • Education Ministry announces several changes to CXC, national exams

    Education Ministry announces several changes to CXC, national exams

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — In response to the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica’s Ministry of Education has unveiled comprehensive modifications to its national and regional examination framework for the 2025-2026 academic period. The Category 5 hurricane, which made landfall on October 28, 2025, precipitated widespread displacement of students and educators, prolonged educational interruptions, and inflicted significant psychological distress across affected communities.

    The ministry’s newly released bulletin emphasizes its commitment to maintaining assessment integrity while implementing responsive measures that acknowledge the extraordinary challenges facing educational institutions. “Our revised examination administration prioritizes fairness and sensitivity to the realities confronting our schools and communities,” the ministry stated.

    At the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) level, institutions spared from the hurricane’s direct impact will proceed with standard Papers 1 and 2 administration, supplemented by concessions for school-based assessments (SBAs), waived late fees, and optional deferral provisions. Severely affected parishes will receive additional accommodations, including the option to complete only Paper 1 with equivalent SBA concessions and fee exemptions.

    National assessments undergo significant adjustments: The Grade Two Diagnostic Test will be suspended until 2026-2027, though teachers will receive alternative diagnostic tools for school-based evaluation. Similarly, the Grade Nine Achievement Test (GNAT) will be paused for 2026, with regional education officers overseeing student reintegration into formal education systems.

    The ministry has extended registration deadlines for June 2026 City & Guilds examinations in Mathematics Skills (#3850), English Skills (#3850), and Customer Service (#8992), moving the cutoff to February 27, 2026. Speaking and Listening assessments will expand from one to three weeks, with results submission extended into July 2026 and a three-week resit window introduced. Final results will publish on August 28, 2026.

    To support academic recovery, the government will distribute complimentary Mathematics and English workbooks (stages one-three) and Customer Service materials (level one) to severely impacted regions by January 2026. Digital resources will be available nationwide, complemented by virtual capacity-building sessions for educators and students.

    An emergency November 2026 examination series will provide additional opportunities, featuring extended registration through August 31, 2026, and results publication scheduled for February 25, 2027. The 2025 National Vocational Qualification of Jamaica examinations have been postponed indefinitely.

    Financial support includes a $197.66 million fee reduction package for students in hardest-hit parishes, supplementing existing government subsidies through funding from the Overseas Examinations Commission.

  • Argentine hired to ‘re-energise’ Waterhouse, push for Concacaf qualification

    Argentine hired to ‘re-energise’ Waterhouse, push for Concacaf qualification

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a strategic move to revitalize their campaign, Waterhouse Football Club has announced the immediate appointment of Argentine tactician Javier Ainstein as head coach. The UEFA A licensed professional takes charge of the eighth-placed team with a clear mandate: to secure CONCACAF qualification during the critical second half of the Jamaica Premier League season.

    The club’s Wednesday release emphasized that Ainstein’s extensive 15-year coaching pedigree across both CONMEBOL and CONCACAF regions brings unique tactical sophistication and player development expertise. Having meticulously studied the Jamaica Premier League for years, the Argentine has already assimilated rapidly into the club’s Drewsland environment.

    Club President Donovan White articulated the strategic vision behind the appointment: ‘Securing CONCACAF qualification remains our definitive objective this season. Coach Ainstein embodies the discipline, competitive mentality, and innovative approach essential for rejuvenating our squad’s push toward international qualification.’

    Chairman Bruce Bicknell reinforced the comprehensive nature of this transition, noting Ainstein’s central role in shaping transfer window strategies. ‘We’re strategically leveraging this transfer period in consultation with Coach Ainstein to enhance squad quality and competitive balance. Our focus is unequivocally fixed on ascending the standings and achieving our seasonal targets.’

    The appointment signals Waterhouse FC’s commitment to implementing international best practices and innovative methodologies as they endeavor to reclaim regional prominence. The club’s next challenge arrives Sunday at Waterhouse Mini Stadium in a highly anticipated 7:30 PM showdown against defending champions Cavaliers SC, offering an immediate test for the new coaching regime.

  • PM reaffirms State’s support for Maroon communities

    PM reaffirms State’s support for Maroon communities

    The Jamaican government has formally renewed its commitment to supporting Maroon communities during the 288th anniversary commemoration of the pivotal 1738 Treaty between Leeward Maroons and British forces. Prime Minister Andrew Holness delivered a significant address in Accompong Town, St. Elizabeth, emphasizing the state’s obligation to provide protection and resources to these historic communities.

    Speaking during Tuesday’s ceremony that also honored the birthday of Chief Kojo, Holness reframed the Maroon narrative beyond slavery to highlight their extraordinary achievement of forcing British authorities to sign a treaty. ‘When people hear about Jamaica and they hear about the Maroons, they see a side of us that is not just about enslavement. It is also about resistance,’ Holness stated, noting Jamaica’s unique position among former colonies.

    The Prime Minister acknowledged historical underinvestment in Maroon regions while assuring corrective measures are underway. ‘The Government of Jamaica supports the Maroon communities. We see you as an invaluable asset,’ he affirmed, praising the community leadership as essential to national development.

    Culture Minister Olivia Grange highlighted the cultural resilience and unity demonstrated by Maroon communities, particularly their recovery from Hurricane Melissa’s impact in late October. ‘I see the plants, the trees are getting green again, so it means that we will be getting stronger and we will rebuild,’ Grange observed, referencing Jamaica’s national motto ‘Out of Many, One People’ to emphasize national solidarity.

    The commemorative event saw participation from multiple government officials including Dr. Andrew Wheatley (Science and Technology), Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon (Education), and Rhoda Moy Crawford (State Minister for Education), demonstrating cross-governmental support for preserving Jamaica’s Maroon heritage.

  • ‘Powered by Rum-Bar’ initiative launched to support hurricane impacted communities

    ‘Powered by Rum-Bar’ initiative launched to support hurricane impacted communities

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a significant corporate social responsibility move, Worthy Park Estate Limited has unveiled ‘Powered by Rum-Bar,’ a comprehensive relief program targeting the restoration of essential services in communities devastated by Hurricane Melissa’s recent passage.

    The innovative initiative will distribute 100 electricity generators to neighborhood bars located within the most severely impacted parishes, addressing critical power infrastructure gaps that have paralyzed economic activity and social connectivity.

    Commencing operations on December 17, 2025, the project team initiated the phased distribution across western Jamaican parishes where prolonged blackouts have created substantial challenges for small businesses and residents alike. The strategic rollout will continue throughout subsequent weeks, expanding to additional regions based on need assessment.

    This intervention enables these community establishments to restore refrigeration capabilities, lighting, and operational capacity, facilitating their role as vital social hubs during recovery efforts.

    Tamika West, Marketing Manager at Worthy Park Estate Limited, emphasized the cultural significance of this approach: ‘Neighborhood bars represent more than commercial establishments—they serve as community anchors throughout Jamaican society. Our initiative aims to strengthen these grassroots institutions, enabling them to support broader recovery efforts while maintaining economic viability.’

    The program reflects Rum-Bar and Worthy Park Estate’s deepening commitment to sustainable community development, disaster response preparedness, and ethical corporate citizenship. Priority areas for generator distribution include St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, St James, Trelawny, and Hanover—regions where extended power disruptions have most severely compromised daily life and economic stability.

  • Alex Thomas to be assistant coach to Argentine Javier Ainstein at Waterhouse

    Alex Thomas to be assistant coach to Argentine Javier Ainstein at Waterhouse

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Waterhouse FC has strategically strengthened its coaching staff by appointing Alex Thomas as assistant coach to work alongside head coach Javier Ainstein for the remainder of the season. The appointment marks a significant development for the Jamaican football club as it seeks to enhance its technical leadership.

    Thomas brings substantial coaching expertise to his new role, having previously served as head coach at both Arnett Gardens and Molynes United. He replaces Jermaine Miller, who had been serving as interim coach following Marcel Gayle’s dismissal in December. Thomas’s most recent achievement includes leading Hydel High to the quarterfinals of the prestigious ISSA Manning Cup competition.

    The collaboration between Thomas and Ainstein shows immediate promise, with sources indicating the two coaches established strong alignment on strategic direction during their initial meeting this Tuesday. Thomas’s coaching credentials extend beyond Jamaica, having previously managed Slingerz FC in Guyana where he guided the team to an impressive second-place league finish while maintaining an unbeaten record throughout 2024.

    Football excellence runs deep in the Thomas family legacy. The 42-year-old coach follows in the footsteps of his older brothers, including the late Omar Thomas and former Reggae Boyz captain Shavar Thomas, who was recently appointed head coach of Connecticut United in the United States’ second-tier MLS competition.

    Alex Thomas’s football pedigree includes both playing and leadership experience at the highest levels. He represented Wolmer’s Boys in the Manning Cup and achieved the historic distinction of captaining Jamaica’s first youth team to qualify for a World Cup—the 1999 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in New Zealand. Two years later, he contributed to Jamaica’s second youth World Cup qualification for the 2001 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Argentina, which was captained by his brother Shavar.

    Thomas’s international experience extends to the senior national team, having earned one cap for the Reggae Boyz under Serbian coach Bora Milutinović during the Lunar Cup tournament in China.

  • World Athletics reviewing Jamaica’s concerns over athlete poaching — Coe

    World Athletics reviewing Jamaica’s concerns over athlete poaching — Coe

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — World Athletics President Sebastian Coe has confirmed the organization’s national review panel is actively examining concerns regarding athlete allegiance transfers, specifically addressing Jamaica’s formal complaints about wealthier nations recruiting their elite competitors. The announcement comes amid revelations that several prominent Jamaican field athletes are seeking to represent Turkey at the 2028 Olympic Games.

    During a press conference hosted by the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) on Wednesday, Coe detailed the established evaluation process implemented in 2018. “I completely altered the process, creating a national review panel that assesses whether transfer applications lack genuine foundation or reflect legitimate circumstances within our global landscape,” Coe stated. “We now maintain a very clear and formal procedure. The specific concerns raised locally are currently under the panel’s purview.”

    The athletics president acknowledged his fundamental position that athletes should ideally complete their careers representing the same nation they started with, while recognizing that exceptional circumstances occasionally justify transfers. “I have consistently maintained that the starting proposition should be that an athlete who begins their career wearing a national vest should essentially finish wearing that same vest,” Coe elaborated. “However, I understand that occasionally exceptional situations arise, reflecting the complex nature of our contemporary world.”

    The issue gained urgency following confirmation that Olympic discus throw champion Roje Stona, long jump silver medalist Wayne Pinnock, shot put bronze medalist Rajindra Campbell, and triple jumper Jaydon Hibbert are all pursuing eligibility to compete for Turkey in the upcoming 2028 Games. This development has sparked intense discussion within international athletics circles regarding competitive balance and athlete recruitment practices.

  • NFA accepting applications for 2026 conch season

    NFA accepting applications for 2026 conch season

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s National Fisheries Authority (NFA) has officially announced the commencement of application procedures for conch fishing licenses and individual catch quota allocations ahead of the 2026 fishing season. The upcoming conch harvesting period is scheduled to begin on March 1, 2026, marking an important timeline for the nation’s marine resource management.

    The regulatory body has established a firm submission deadline of 4:00 pm on Friday, January 30, 2026, for all license applicants. This cutoff applies equally to both Industrial fishers (focused on export markets) and Artisanal fishers (serving local trade channels). The NFA emphasized that applications received after this precise deadline will be automatically disqualified from consideration.

    Prospective fishers must obtain application packages, available at the NFA Head Office information desk for a fee of JMD $500 per package. These documents contain comprehensive information and necessary forms for the licensing process. All completed applications require supporting documentation and must be physically delivered to the Authority’s headquarters at 2C Newport East, Kingston 11.

    The NFA has designated specific contact channels for additional inquiries. Interested parties may contact the Principal Director of Capture Fisheries directly or utilize telephone numbers 876-579-5910, 876-967-2081, or 876-948-9014. Alternatively, queries can be directed via email to fisheries@nfa.gov.jm for further clarification on application requirements and procedures.

  • Grenada friendly for Reggae Boyz

    Grenada friendly for Reggae Boyz

    In a strategic move to bolster player development, Jamaica’s national football team is set to clash with Grenada in an international friendly match on January 18th at St. George’s. With the fixture scheduled outside FIFA’s official international window, interim head coach Rudolph Speid has assembled a 24-player training squad predominantly featuring domestic talents and North American-based professionals, as many regular starters remain committed to club obligations.

    Coach Speid clarified that while this encounter aligns with the Jamaica Football Federation’s (JFF) enduring commitment to nurturing local talent, it does not directly form part of the preparatory agenda for March’s critical FIFA Intercontinental play-offs in Mexico. The Reggae Boyz are slated to confront New Caledonia in the semi-finals, with victorious progression potentially securing a showdown against DR Congo for a coveted spot in this summer’s FIFA World Cup finals.

    Nevertheless, Speid emphasized the match’s significance as a proving ground for athletes aspiring to secure positions in the upcoming Mexico training camp. “We’ve consistently organized this developmental fixture over the past three to four years,” Speid stated during a Wednesday press briefing. “Our involvement in World Cup qualifiers hasn’t altered that tradition. However, the stakes are undoubtedly elevated now, as exceptional performances could earn players consideration for playoff squad selection.”

    The current training initiative commenced on Wednesday and will conclude Friday, followed by another intensive session next week preceding the team’s departure. The definitive roster for the Grenada encounter will be finalized thereafter.

    Speid highlighted the match’s particular importance for homegrown players seeking international experience. Simultaneously, the JFF is actively negotiating additional friendly matches in February to optimize preparations for the Intercontinental play-offs. The interim coach revealed ambitions to compose a 60-player squad for next month’s training camp, having already identified 52 candidates while continuing scouting operations to complete the remaining eight positions.

    Squad Composition for Grenada Friendly:

    Goalkeepers: Kemar Foster (Mount Pleasant), Tafari Chambers (Mount Pleasant), Daniel Russell (Portmore United)

    Defenders: Christopher Ainsworth (Cavalier), Javain Brown (Real Salt Lake), Damion Lowe (Houston Dynamo), Ronaldo Webster (Shkendija), Stephen Young (Portmore United), Kyle Ming (Mount Pleasant), Fitzroy Cummings (Mount Pleasant), Robino Gordon (Phoenix Chapelton)

    Midfielders: Adrian Reid Jr (Cavalier), Shamar Watson (Cavalier), Dwayne Atkinson (Rhode Island), Andre Lewis (Spokane Velocity), Tyreek Magee (Mount Pleasant), Jahshaun Anglin (Mount Pleasant), Jaheim Thomas (Arnett Gardens), Nickyle Ellis (Racing FC)

    Forwards: Romario Williams (Indy Eleven), Trayvon Reid (Harbour View), Daniel Green (Mount Pleasant), Jourdain Fletcher (Montego Bay United), Warner Brown (Mount Pleasant)

  • Treasure Beach and Dunbeholden seek elusive win

    Treasure Beach and Dunbeholden seek elusive win

    A pivotal rescheduled Jamaica Premier League fixture is set to unfold on Wednesday at the St Elizabeth Technical Sports Complex, where Treasure Beach FC will square off against Dunbeholden FC in a 3:00 pm kickoff. This encounter, originally slated for November 12th, was postponed due to the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, which necessitated additional recovery and preparation time for the Treasure Beach community.

    The match carries significant weight in the league’s tightly contested standings. A mere four points separate sixth from twelfth place, meaning a victory for either side promises a substantial climb up the table. Dunbeholden FC currently occupies 11th place with 14 points from 11 matches, while Treasure Beach sits just below with 12 points from 12 games played. This will be their first meeting since the previous season, which saw both encounters conclude in draws.

    Dunbeholden enters the match with a record of resilience in recent outings, suffering only one defeat in their last eight games. However, a pronounced offensive struggle has been their Achilles’ heel, managing a mere three goals during that span with an astonishing five matches ending in goalless stalemates. The team from St Catherine has netted only five goals all season.

    Conversely, Treasure Beach looks to halt a three-game losing streak, with each defeat coming by a narrow one-goal margin. A significant boost is anticipated for the squad, which is expected to welcome back several players after fielding a depleted roster of only 15 members in their recent 1-2 loss to Montego Bay United. Both clubs will be fiercely competing for a win that would provide crucial momentum and elevate their position in the league hierarchy.