标签： Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a forceful directive, Jamaica’s Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information (MoESYI) has issued a renewed mandate to all educational institutions, asserting that denying any child entry into public schools constitutes a severe breach of both international and national law. The ministry’s latest bulletin serves as an unequivocal reminder that the fundamental right to education is non-negotiable.

The ministry explicitly stated that preventing children from participating in educational activities due to pending psycho-educational assessments is an unacceptable practice. Such exclusions are identified as direct violations of Articles 28 and 29 of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child and Jamaica’s own Child Care and Protection Act. School administrators are warned that these actions not only deprive children of their rights but also expose them to significant social, emotional, and environmental risks, further exacerbating learning disparities and potentially fostering behavioral issues.

Emphasizing that school leaders act as agents of the state, the bulletin places the responsibility squarely on them to ensure uninterrupted access to teaching and learning for every child, including those awaiting diagnostic services. The ministry’s core mandate is reaffirmed: to prioritize enrollment and attendance above all else.

Guidance for principals facing challenges in providing necessary support is outlined, with instructions to immediately contact their assigned education officer or regional director. Furthermore, the ministry has established a protocol to treat any reported out-of-school situation as an emergency, activating immediate measures for swift student placement. This comprehensive support system includes intervention to facilitate enrollment, sensitization training for staff, and even the provision of a Special Education Needs Assistant (SENA)—also known as a shadow or caregiver—without the prerequisite of a formal assessment report.

The ministry’s stance is clear: no parent should depart from a public school feeling disregarded, unassisted, or without hope. All institutions with available capacity are obligated to assist families seeking enrollment.

In a dramatic turn at the Supreme Court, defense attorney Hugh Wildman has leveled explosive allegations against key prosecution witness Floyd Green, accusing him of conspiring with the Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom) to fabricate charges against six police officers standing trial for murder.

The officers—Sergeant Simroy Mott, Corporal Donovan Fullerton, and Constables Orandy Rose, Andrew Smith, Sheldon Richards, and Richard Lynch—face charges related to the January 12, 2013 shooting on Arcadia Drive in St. Andrew that resulted in the deaths of three unarmed men: Matthew Lee, Mark Allen, and Ucliffe Dyer.

During cross-examination, Wildman, representing Fullerton and Rose, directly confronted Green, a senior politician who testified to witnessing the shootings from a nearby apartment window. “I’m suggesting to you that this case here is a conspiracy between you and Indecom to convict these innocent police officers,” Wildman declared, prompting an immediate and heated denial from Green.

The witness vehemently rejected the allegation, stating there was “absolutely no way” he would conspire with anyone, including Indecom. When Wildman characterized the case as “concocted” and suggested Green had never been present at the crime scene, the politician dismissed the claims as nonsensical, emphasizing he had no prior acquaintance with any of the accused officers.

The prosecution objected to Wildman’s line of questioning, describing it as illogical and pointing to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions’ ruling that authorized charges against the officers. Presiding Judge Justice Sonia Bertram Linton intervened, affirming the defense’s right to challenge witness integrity while noting that a tribunal of fact would ultimately resolve such issues.

Wildman further scrutinized Green’s credibility by referencing his 2021 resignation as agriculture minister following a COVID-19 protocol violation. Green clarified that while his actions weren’t illegal, they didn’t align with government expectations, prompting his voluntary resignation. Wildman attempted to link this incident to potential bias in the DPP’s ruling, which Green dismissed as “inaccurate, false, misguided, illogical [and] nonsensical.”

The cross-examination also revealed that Green provided his statement to Indecom four years after the incident, initially through an anonymous letter. Green explained his delayed involvement stemmed from initial fear, but his conscience and civic duty ultimately compelled him to cooperate—a decision made easier by his subsequent ministerial status and security detail.

A significant portion of the proceedings focused on Green’s recollection of the incident’s timing. While Wildman emphasized the importance of remembering the specific day (Saturday), Green maintained that the date and what he witnessed held greater significance than the day of the week, noting the 13-year gap since the event.

Justice Bertram Linton again reminded participants that the tribunal of fact would determine the weight of such discrepancies in assessing witness credibility.

Veteran Jamaican journalist Cliff Hughes, principal of Nationwide News Network (NNN), has publicly disclosed a recent health incident through social media. The media icon utilized his X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday morning to share details about the medical episode that occurred earlier this week.

In his candid social media post, Hughes reassured his audience about his current condition while revealing the temporary health concern. “Trust u are all doing well, I am also doing well this morning. 2 days ago I had a health scare, thankfully this turned out to be a minor episode,” the broadcaster wrote, demonstrating his characteristic direct communication style.

The respected news personality expressed gratitude for the medical professionals overseeing his care, noting he has “an excellent team of Drs & nurses taking very good care of me.” Hughes also acknowledged the outpouring of support from well-wishers and indicated his anticipated return to broadcasting with the statement: “Thanks for all your well wishes. Hope to talk to you guys soon.”

Hughes brings four decades of journalistic experience to his role at NNN, having been recognized at the national level for his contributions to media. In 2016, the Jamaican government honored him with the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander, one of the country’s highest civic awards, reflecting his substantial impact on Jamaican journalism throughout his distinguished career.

Jamaica’s Parliament has ushered in a new regulatory era for gated communities with the introduction of the transformative Shared Communities Act 2026. Tabled in the House of Representatives, this comprehensive legislation establishes a rigorous legal framework to govern the nation’s rapidly expanding private residential developments.

The Act mandates the creation of legally recognized Community Corporations for all registered shared communities. These corporations, governed by elected executive committees of property owners, will bear significant responsibilities. Their duties encompass maintaining detailed proprietor registries, ensuring common property upkeep, implementing long-term maintenance strategies, and managing community funds for administrative and insurance purposes.

A pivotal aspect of the legislation empowers the Real Estate Board as the primary regulatory authority. The Board will process community registrations, issue operational certificates, maintain official records, and facilitate dispute resolution between proprietors and community corporations. Its extensive powers include ordering the removal of non-compliant animals from properties and invalidating improperly passed corporation resolutions.

To address chronic issues of fee delinquency, the law establishes formidable enforcement mechanisms. Community corporations can now pursue property seizure and sale against owners with outstanding maintenance fees, following strict notification procedures supervised by the Real Estate Board. Prior to sale, corporations may obtain court orders for property possession, enabling them to rent out delinquent units and apply rental income toward owed contributions.

Financial penalties reach unprecedented levels, with courts authorized to impose fines up to $1 million Jamaican dollars for by-law violations. The legislation additionally allows for interest accrual on unpaid contributions and enables parish courts to adjudicate collection cases without monetary limits.

Recognizing that many proprietors reside abroad, the law requires non-resident owners to appoint local agents to fulfill their obligations. Although introduced by Prime Minister Andrew Holness’s administration, the bill was presented by Minister Robert Montague. Opposition Parliamentarian Julian Robinson has called for further legislative scrutiny through a joint select committee, highlighting the bill’s profound implications for property rights and community governance.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a significant boost to post-hurricane recovery efforts, TotalEnergies Jamaica has delivered 1,884 solar-powered lamps to humanitarian organizations across the island. The substantial donation, distributed between Food For The Poor (FFTP) and the Salvation Army, was formally presented during a ceremony at the energy company’s corporate headquarters last Friday.

This initiative addresses a critical infrastructure gap persisting after Hurricane Melissa’s devastating passage. While Jamaica Public Service has worked to restore main power grids, Marsha Burrell-Rose, Marketing and Public Relations Manager at FFTP, highlighted that numerous remote mountainous communities remain without electricity and telecommunications. “These solar lamps will definitely help us because, if they don’t have anything, they do have sunlight in abundance,” she stated, expressing gratitude for the 1,164 lamps allocated to her organization.

The Salvation Army received 720 units, which Colonel Edward Lyons, Chief Secretary for Caribbean Territorial Emergency Disaster Services, described as meeting an urgent need. “People have been calling for these same lamps for a long time,” Lyons revealed. “They are very scarce. It’s the first time this amount has ever been made available locally.” He emphasized that the lamps provide a vital alternative for residents who cannot afford generators, though distribution would require careful planning to maximize impact.

TotalEnergies executives Howard Henry (Retail, Shops, Foods and Services Manager) and Ulanda Graham (Human Resources Director) emphasized their deliberate selection of partner organizations based on rigorous due diligence. Burrell-Rose affirmed FFTP’s operational transparency, noting their 43-year track record: “We don’t just give away items. We capture data, monitor and evaluate. We believe in showing people how we are spending their money.”

The solar lamps represent the latest phase in TotalEnergies’ comprehensive hurricane response, which began November 13 with 700 care packages delivered to St. Elizabeth and included subsequent monetary donations of $10,000 to Jamaica Red Cross and $20,000 to FFTP in December.

Managing Director Vincent Daniault, who witnessed the hurricane’s unprecedented destruction firsthand, expressed his personal commitment to the relief efforts. Having toured affected areas from Montego Bay to Black River, he recounted: “The buildings were destroyed and trees stripped bare. It was difficult not to act seeing the kids and people. I have never seen anything like this.”

The distributed Sunshine 150 Solar Lamps represent advanced appropriate technology, featuring detachable solar panels, USB ports for mobile phone charging, and capability to provide up to 100 hours of illumination across four lighting modes. Valued at approximately $60 per unit internationally, these lamps have previously been deployed by TotalEnergies in energy-deprived regions of Africa, reflecting the company’s broader commitment to energy access in vulnerable communities.