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标签： Jamaica

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  • More than just teachers

    More than just teachers

    At the LASCO/Ministry of Education’s 2025 Principal and Teacher of the Year Awards Ceremony in New Kingston, three exceptional educators were celebrated for their transformative impact on Jamaica’s educational landscape, demonstrating that true nation-building originates within the classroom.

    Orville Richards, Principal of the Year from St Mary Technical High School, has spearheaded a remarkable institutional transformation. With over 23 years in education and expertise in information technology and accounting, Richards has elevated the school from a ‘satisfactory’ to a ‘good’ rating in the National Education Inspectorate’s 2024 rankings. His vision extends beyond academic metrics, focusing on establishing Jamaica’s premier technical and vocational education institution. Under his leadership, the school has implemented significant infrastructure upgrades, integrated advanced ICT systems, and mandated that all Grade 11 students complete external certifications and skills training before graduation.

    Mathematics educator Dorette Rhoden Henry, Teacher of the Year from DeCarteret College, brings three decades of teaching experience to her innovative methodology. As head of the information technology department, she begins each academic relationship by understanding her students’ backgrounds and individual learning styles. Rhoden Henry demystifies mathematics by demonstrating its practical applications in daily life, using creative examples like illustrating the importance of zeros through lunch money calculations to make abstract concepts tangible and relevant.

    Gavin DeRizzo, TVET Teacher of Year from Vauxhall High School, teaches building technology construction and technical drawing with a focus on Jamaica’s development needs. He connects classroom instruction to the country’s construction boom and climate resilience requirements, emphasizing how these skills enable home ownership—a fundamental Jamaican aspiration. DeRizzo intentionally incorporates practical examples to demonstrate real-world applications of theoretical knowledge.

    The three educators collectively represent a shift toward holistic education that balances academic excellence with practical skills development. Their approaches reflect Jamaica’s growing emphasis on technical and vocational training pathways that address labor market demands and improve school-to-work transitions. Beyond their individual achievements, these teachers embody the philosophy that education serves as both an instructional process and a transformative force for unlocking human potential and national development.

  • #Champs2026: Munro’s Brandon Lawrence seeks redemption in Class 2 shot put

    #Champs2026: Munro’s Brandon Lawrence seeks redemption in Class 2 shot put

    KINGSTON, Jamaica – Emerging as the dominant force in shot put qualifying, Munro College’s Brandon Lawrence positioned himself as a formidable podium contender during Thursday’s ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletics Championships at the National Stadium. The Western Champs gold medalist delivered a commanding performance with a massive 17.62-meter throw on his sole attempt, establishing himself as the clear frontrunner in the Class 2 boys’ shot put competition.

    Lawrence’s impressive showing marks a significant improvement from his fifth-place finish in last year’s championships, demonstrating substantial athletic development. The Munro College standout wasn’t alone in surpassing the automatic qualifying standard of 15.30 meters, as Jamaica College athletes Nasir D’Aguilar (15.84m) and Jaafari Shaw (15.58m) also secured their positions in the finals with strong performances.

    The competition featured several other notable contenders advancing through the qualifying rounds, including Munro College’s Ashan Haffenden, Calabar High’s Kidane Linton and Mark-Anthony Earlington, and Cornwall College’s Junior Wright. Their progression sets the stage for an intensely competitive final round in one of Jamaica’s most prestigious high school athletic events, where Lawrence will attempt to convert his qualifying dominance into championship glory.

  • Hot weather, energy woes lead Venezuela to take a week off

    Hot weather, energy woes lead Venezuela to take a week off

    The Venezuelan government, under interim leadership, has implemented an extensive work suspension for public sector employees throughout the upcoming week. This unprecedented measure responds to an intensifying heatwave that has severely strained the nation’s already fragile electrical grid.

    Interim President Delcy Rodríguez announced the directive, stating that all educational institutions and non-essential government ministries will observe mandatory days off from Monday through Friday. The decision forms a critical component of the government’s emergency strategy to conserve electricity during what officials describe as 45 consecutive days of exceptionally high temperatures.

    The power-saving initiative follows Venezuela’s historical pattern of energy rationing, though current conditions have necessitated more drastic action. Rodríguez emphasized that essential services will maintain uninterrupted operations despite the widespread closures. The announcement extends existing energy conservation measures implemented during the Easter period, which previously included shortened workdays and school suspensions.

    This development occurs amid significant political transition following the detention of former President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. military forces on January 3rd. The current administration faces dual challenges of managing both political instability and infrastructure deficiencies exacerbated by extreme weather conditions.

  • Last lifeline

    Last lifeline

    Jamaica’s national football team confronts a pivotal moment in their World Cup qualifying campaign as they prepare to face New Caledonia in the intercontinental playoff semi-finals. The match, scheduled for 10:00 PM at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico, represents the Reggae Boyz’s opportunity to redeem themselves after missing qualification last November.

    Under new technical leadership headed by Rudolph Speid, the 27-man squad arrives without injury concerns following their final training session on Wednesday. The team features significant roster changes, with 14 players who weren’t part of former coach Steve McClaren’s final selection now included.

    Captain Andre Blake emphasized the team’s determination to secure Jamaica’s first World Cup appearance since 1998. “Everybody knows what’s at stake,” Blake stated. “We have a chance, the football is round, and we’re looking forward to it. Sometimes we as Jamaicans tend to operate better when our backs are against the wall.”

    Their opponents, world 150th-ranked New Caledonia, approach the match as underdogs seeking their first World Cup qualification. The Oceania team benefited from the tournament’s expansion to 48 teams, finishing behind favorites New Zealand in their region. However, they enter the match with limited recent competitive experience, having played only three games in the past year.

    New Caledonian midfielder Angelo Fulgini embraced their underdog status: “We have nothing to lose. If we go through, it will be an unbelievable achievement; if we fall short, nobody will bat an eyelid. We have to go to Mexico under no pressure and with no fear.”

    The winner will advance to face DR Congo in the final playoff on Tuesday, with Jamaica holding a mixed record against Oceanic opponents—two wins and two losses in their four previous meetings.

  • #Champs2026: Immaculate’s Watt wins Class 3 high jump

    #Champs2026: Immaculate’s Watt wins Class 3 high jump

    KINGSTON, Jamaica – Sanique Watt of Immaculate Conception delivered a commanding performance to claim the Class 3 girls’ high jump title at the prestigious ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletic Championships. The event, held at the National Stadium on Thursday, witnessed Watt’s technical mastery as she secured gold with a winning clearance of 1.71 meters.

    Demonstrating remarkable consistency, Watt navigated the competition with strategic efficiency. She successfully cleared the first four heights on her initial attempt at each, building momentum for the crucial final stages. While she required two attempts to conquer the gold-medal-winning 1.71m bar, her execution proved decisive. Watt concluded her series with three unsuccessful attempts at 1.74m, a height that would have extended her victory margin.

    The podium was completed by Kemoya Campbell from Edwin Allen High, who captured the silver medal with a best jump of 1.68m. Jessica Francis of Alphansus Davis High earned bronze, matching Campbell’s height of 1.68m but requiring more attempts throughout the competition, which determined the final standings. Brianna Stewart of St Jago High, last year’s silver medalist, finished just off the podium in fourth place with a clearance of 1.65m.

  • REID RULES!

    REID RULES!

    Jamaica College has established a formidable position at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championship, surging to a 16-point advantage with 54 points after eight finals on Wednesday’s competition. The prestigious national event at Jamaica’s National Stadium witnessed exceptional performances across multiple track and field disciplines.

    St Jago High currently occupies second place with 38 points, followed closely by Calabar High in third with 36 points. Defending champions Kingston College sit in fourth position with 31 points, while Wolmer’s Boys’ complete the top five with 25 points.

    The sprint events delivered spectacular results, with Riquelme Reid of Excelsior High blazing to victory in the Class One 100m with an impressive 10.12 seconds (1.2 m/s). St George’s College’s Tyreece Foreman claimed silver in 10.21 seconds, while Romario Finnigan of Edwin Allen secured bronze in 10.22 seconds.

    Wolmer’s Boys’ achieved a remarkable quinella in the Class Three 100m through Ajani Lumley (10.71) and Joshua McWilliams (10.81), earning a crucial 16-point haul. The Class Two event saw Kai Kelly deliver a jaw-dropping performance of 10.28 seconds (0.6 m/s), narrowly missing Sachin Dennis’s 2018 record of 10.20 seconds.

    Field events produced equally impressive results, with Kingston College’s Odane Noble capturing the first championship final by winning the Boys’ Class Two long jump with a leap of 7.18 meters. The middle-distance events witnessed record-breaking performances, including Julius Itubo of KC smashing the Class Three 1500m mark by over four seconds with a time of 4:00.76.

    Anticipation builds for Thursday’s 400m finals, with Jamaica College’s Makaelan Woods entering as favorite after posting the fastest qualifying time of 46.39 seconds. The event promises to be one of the most competitive in recent years, featuring seven athletes who have broken the 47-second barrier during preliminary rounds.

  • Police detain French ex-cop suspected of killing mothers of his children

    Police detain French ex-cop suspected of killing mothers of his children

    Portuguese authorities have apprehended a former French law enforcement officer with a turbulent history of domestic disputes, now accused of the brutal murders of two women following an international manhunt. Cedric Prizzon, 42, was intercepted by police near Meda in northern Portugal while traveling with his two children, aged 12 years and 18 months. The arrest culminated a multinational search operation initiated after both his current partner and former girlfriend vanished from their residences in France’s Aveyron region last week.

    Investigative units subsequently discovered two human remains interred in a remote location, believed to be those of the missing women. Prizzon’s vehicle yielded substantial evidence including a pump-action shotgun, counterfeit documentation, altered license plates, and approximately €17,000 in cash. The suspect, who previously served in the Paris police force and participated in rugby at youth international level, had been engaged in protracted custody litigation regarding his son.

    Judicial proceedings commenced Thursday at the Vila Nova de Foz Côa courthouse, where local residents expressed outrage by chanting accusations as the defendant arrived. The children are scheduled for repatriation to France while identification protocols and evidence consolidation continue. Prizzon’s history includes prior convictions for harassment and unlawful child relocation to Spain in 2021, alongside active participation in fathers’ rights demonstrations protesting custody decisions.

    French investigators had designated Prizzon as the prime suspect shortly after the disappearances, noting his pattern of social media campaigns against his former partner. Community members from the affected villages expressed shock at the violence, with one resident noting that while they considered Prizzon ‘unhinged,’ they never anticipated such extreme actions. The judicial review may extend through Friday as authorities continue questioning the suspect.

  • Williams assures digital tax won’t affect online shopping

    Williams assures digital tax won’t affect online shopping

    Jamaican Finance Minister Fayval Williams has issued a comprehensive clarification regarding the government’s proposed digital services tax, explicitly exempting online purchases of physical goods from the new revenue measures. The announcement came during the closing of the 2026/27 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives, addressing mounting concerns about the policy’s potential impact on consumers and businesses.

    Williams presented a detailed taxonomy of digital trade, categorizing it into three distinct segments: digitally ordered and digitally delivered services, digitally ordered but physically delivered goods, and physically ordered but digitally delivered services. The minister emphasized that only the first category—services both supplied and consumed digitally across borders—would be subject to the proposed taxation framework.

    “Goods entering Jamaica through our ports remain subject to existing taxes and duties,” Williams stated unequivocally. “Digitally ordered and physically delivered trade was not included in our revenue measures.”

    The clarification comes amid sustained criticism from Opposition finance spokesman Julian Robinson, who argued the digital tax appeared contradictory to previous government efforts to reduce online shopping costs through increased de minimis thresholds.

    Williams acknowledged significant policy gaps in the current system, revealing how consumers and importers have exploited the increased de minimis threshold—raised from US$50 to US$100—by systematically splitting orders to avoid taxation. This practice, she noted, has resulted in substantial revenue leakage and created an uneven competitive landscape for domestic retailers who face fully taxed inventory.

    The minister positioned the digital services tax as part of a broader modernization effort for Jamaica’s tax framework, designed to address the rapid growth of digital economic activity that has outpaced existing tax regulations. Williams emphasized that the measure aims not to restrict digital access but to ensure equitable treatment between physical and digital economic activities as consumption patterns evolve.

    With services constituting a substantial portion of Jamaica’s GDP and digital channels increasingly dominating economic activity, the government is simultaneously strengthening its capacity to measure and interpret digital economic developments to ensure future policies remain “fair, balanced, and grounded in accurate information.”

  • #Champs2026: Last year’s Class 2 400m champ Fletcher on course for Class 1 honours

    #Champs2026: Last year’s Class 2 400m champ Fletcher on course for Class 1 honours

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — The ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletics Championships witnessed standout performances on its second day at the National Stadium, with Hydel High’s Nastassia Fletcher positioning herself as the athlete to beat in the girls’ Class 1 400m. Fletcher, who claimed last year’s Class 2 title, dominated the qualifying round by clocking an impressive 52.92 seconds, establishing a strong foundation for her gold medal pursuit.

    Despite formidable competition from last year’s medalists—Edwin Allen’s Kellyann Carr (53.67 seconds) and Holmwood Technical’s Abrina Wright (53.08 seconds)—Fletcher’s commanding performance has solidified her status as the clear favorite for the championship title.

    In Class 2 qualifying, Foga Road High’s Shameika McLean surged ahead with a time of 52.52 seconds, outperforming last year’s silver medalist Sashana Johnson of Hydel High, who finished with 54.12 seconds. The qualifiers also included Holmwood Technical’s Annastacia Hall (53.29 seconds), William Knibb Memorial’s Daniellia Dixon (53.49 seconds), Immaculate Conception’s Kimberly Wright (54.29 seconds), and Maddison Campbell of Holmwood Technical.

    Notably, Edwin Allen faced disappointment as neither of their two athletes advanced to the Class 3 final. William Knibb Memorial’s Khortnie Eccleston led the Class 3 qualifiers with 55.41 seconds, followed closely by Hydel High’s Tyecia McDonald (55.41 seconds) and Holmwood Technical’s Malya McLennon (55.64 seconds).

  • #Champs2026: Stage set for epic Boys Class 1, 100m final

    #Champs2026: Stage set for epic Boys Class 1, 100m final

    KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica’s future track stars delivered electrifying performances in Wednesday’s semi-finals at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletics Championships, setting the stage for what promises to be a historic series of 100-meter finals at the national stadium.

    The Boys’ Class 1 event emerged as the headline attraction, with qualifying times reaching unprecedented competitive levels. Riquelme Reid of Excelsior High established himself as the athlete to beat, posting the fastest qualifying time of 10.19 seconds despite facing a modest headwind of 1.1 meters per second. He narrowly edged out St. George’s College’s Tyreece Foreman, who clocked an impressive 10.21 seconds.

    Holland High’s Johan-Ramaldo Smythe, who finished sixth in last year’s championship, demonstrated remarkable improvement by winning his heat in 10.29 seconds. The competition intensified as Edwin Allen’s Kenrick Austin (10.27 seconds) barely outperformed William Knibb’s Sanjay Seymore (10.28 seconds) in one of the day’s most thrilling photo finishes.

    The qualification standard reached new heights with Malike Nugent of Excelsior High securing the final spot with 10.33 seconds – a time that would have earned him bronze medal honors in last year’s competition.

    In Class 2 action, Jamaica College’s Kai Kelly delivered a wind-assisted performance of 10.29 seconds (3.1m/s) to claim his semi-final, while Marquies Page of St. Jago triumphed in his heat with 10.55 seconds against more favorable conditions.

    The Class 3 category witnessed Wolmer’s Boys’ School establishing themselves as strong contenders for a potential gold-silver finish. Ajani Lumley (10.85 seconds) and Joshua McWilliams (11.00 seconds) both won their respective semi-finals in commanding fashion against negative wind conditions, suggesting they could dominate Thursday’s final proceedings.

    The championship continues to serve as Jamaica’s premier platform for emerging athletic talent, with these semi-final performances indicating that multiple records could fall during Thursday’s highly anticipated finals.