标签： Jamaica

In a remarkable display of resilience, the Jamaican education system has achieved a 96% reopening rate across Region Three schools despite severe infrastructural damage caused by Hurricane Melissa. The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information confirmed the successful commencement of the new academic term through innovative learning arrangements and temporary facilities.

During an extensive back-to-school tour across St. Ann on Wednesday, State Minister Rhoda Moy Crawford expressed profound satisfaction with recovery progress. Her inspection began at Sturge Town Primary and Infant School, where she witnessed innovative multi-modal learning approaches in action. “I was very impressed with what I see happening there—a perfect example of multiple modalities learning taking place,” Crawford noted. While some students continue learning in undamaged classrooms, others utilize UNICEF-provided temporary tents, with infant classes temporarily relocated to Sturge Town New Testament Church through community partnership.

The reconstruction progress at Sturge Town Primary currently stands at approximately 40% completion. At Bamboo Primary School, approximately 80% of students have resumed face-to-face instruction despite ongoing repairs. School administrators have implemented comprehensive safety protocols, including secure cordoning of construction zones to ensure student protection.

Minister Crawford detailed the ministry’s comprehensive response strategy: “From the passage of Hurricane Melissa, our first responders were school principals conducting initial assessments, followed by regional directors and building officers. The National Education Trust performed detailed evaluations to coordinate recovery efforts.” She emphasized the collaborative nature of the recovery, acknowledging vital support from international partners including UNICEF, UNESCO, and local religious organizations.

Region Three Director Karlene Segre confirmed educational continuity through blended learning approaches combining physical classes, online instruction, and supplemental learning kits distributed by the ministry. All primary and secondary institutions have received both educational materials and revised curricula to maintain academic standards despite hurricane disruptions. “Our teachers in Region Three are committed, dedicated, and competitive in implementing all necessary measures,” Segre affirmed.

Acting Principal of Bamboo Primary School Trevor McKenzie welcomed the ministerial visit as an opportunity to demonstrate both hurricane damage and recovery progress. He confirmed significant student return rates and emphasized established safety protocols that enable learning to continue simultaneously with reconstruction activities.

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.

Jamaica’s Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom) has announced the appointment of Yanique Taylor Wellington as its new deputy commissioner, filling the vacancy created by the departure of Assistant Commissioner Hamish Campbell who held the operational leadership role from 2013 through December 2025.

Taylor Wellington assumes comprehensive operational responsibilities previously managed by Campbell, bringing substantial institutional expertise to the position. Her distinguished tenure at Indecom includes serving as Director of Complaints since January 2022 and previously as Senior Legal Officer. The legally-trained professional represented the commission during the critical West Kingston Commission of Enquiry in 2015 and notably argued before the UK Privy Council in the landmark Dane Lewin vs Albert Diah case, which resulted in a pivotal ruling affirming Indecom’s authority and reinforcing police accountability mechanisms. Prior to joining Indecom, she served as a senior prosecutor at Jamaica’s Integrity Commission.

In her initial statements as deputy commissioner, Taylor Wellington highlighted alarming trends in police-related fatalities, revealing a 65% year-over-year increase in fatal security force shootings during 2025, with 311 individuals killed compared to the previous year. Particularly disturbing is the 300% surge in fatalities recorded in the first five days of 2026, with 12 persons shot dead by security forces compared to three during the same period in 2025.

Taylor Wellington emphasized Indecom’s commitment to “independently, impartially, and promptly investigate all incidents involving security force shootings.” She assured citizens that recent fatal encounters would undergo thorough and objective examination, with appropriate actions taken should legal violations be identified.

Notably, Indecom’s investigations into these incidents revealed concerning procedural gaps. While eight firearms were recovered across six recent shooting incidents, no body-worn cameras were activated by involved officers during any of these encounters. One Jamaica Constabulary Force member reportedly possessed equipment but claimed inability to activate it due to missing mounting accessories.

All officers involved have been formally served with Section 21 Notices under the Independent Commission of Investigations Act (2010), requiring them to submit detailed statements and attend investigatory interviews.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a significant push toward digital inclusion, Jamaica’s Labour and Social Security Minister Pearnel Charles Jr has publicly praised elderly citizens engaging with the government’s GetConnected Digital Literacy Programme. During an impromptu visit to the National Council for Senior Citizens on West Kings House Road, the minister witnessed Cohort 3 of the initiative in progress, where 33 seniors are currently mastering essential digital competencies.

Minister Charles Jr emphasized that the program dismantles the notion that senior citizens are merely observers of technological progress. “Every time I see this programme in action, it sends a powerful message — our senior citizens are not on the sidelines of development; they are active participants in Jamaica’s future,” he stated.

The comprehensive curriculum is designed to foster active and healthy aging by equipping participants with practical skills. These include operating computers and mobile devices, maintaining social connections through digital platforms, accessing online services, and implementing crucial safety measures in cyber environments. The minister highlighted that beyond reducing social isolation, these skills enhance personal independence and can potentially lead to new economic opportunities.

Adding international credibility to the initiative, the program utilizes globally recognized training materials and offers participants the chance to obtain certification from City & Guilds. This aspect reinforces that age presents no barrier to achieving technological proficiency.

With Safer Internet Day approaching in February, Minister Charles Jr also stressed the inseparable link between digital access and cybersecurity awareness, particularly for vulnerable demographics. “Digital empowerment must go hand in hand with digital protection. Confidence, safety, and responsible online engagement are just as important as access,” he remarked.

The minister extended an invitation to all eligible senior citizens across Jamaica to enroll in future sessions by contacting the National Council for Senior Citizens, reaffirming the government’s dedication to creating inclusive opportunities throughout all stages of life.

Belizean aviation authorities are implementing comprehensive drone regulations to address growing security risks to aircraft operations. The Department of Civil Aviation has initiated a public consultation process for new operational directives that will establish standardized licensing requirements and flight restrictions for both recreational and commercial drone use.

According to Nigel Carter, Director of Civil Aviation, the updated regulations will replace the current fragmented approval system and align Belize’s drone policies with international aviation standards. The primary motivation stems from safety concerns, as aircraft in Belize frequently operate at low altitudes of approximately 500 feet even during transit, creating potential collision risks between manned and unmanned aircraft.

The regulatory changes recognize drones’ importance as essential tools for various industries, including agriculture, surveying, and businesses utilizing Geographic Information Systems for land mapping and crop monitoring. However, the mandatory nature of these rules has raised concerns among drone operators, who face potential penalties for non-compliance.

Operators have scheduled an emergency meeting to discuss the implications of the new directive, even as aviation officials emphasize the consultation process aims to incorporate stakeholder feedback. Carter confirmed that authorities are currently gathering input from the drone-operating community before reviewing concerns and meeting with operators to clarify regulatory positions.

The proposed framework would establish clear, mandatory rules governing all drone operations in Belize, standardizing licensing procedures and operational limits while harmonizing national regulations with international standards observed in the United States, Europe, and global aviation authorities.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In an innovative approach to literacy advocacy, the Di Cawna Library organization has inaugurated its seventh community facility in Cheshire Village, marking a significant expansion of its unique program that converts discarded refrigerators into functional bookcases. The newly established Di AMO Cawna Library, officially opened on December 11, 2025, features inclusive design elements ensuring accessibility for both able-bodied and differently-abled community members.

The project represents a collaborative effort between international and local supporters, including Friends of Annette Martin Ozaltin (AMO) and the American International School of Kingston (AISK) community. Their combined contributions have transformed repurposed appliances into vibrant educational hubs integrated within neighborhood settings.

Founded on the principle that literacy constitutes a fundamental right rather than a privilege, the initiative directly brings literature to communities by creatively converting once-discarded items into spaces fostering imagination, learning, and opportunity. During the opening ceremony, founder Rachael McDonald emphasized the organization’s core philosophy: ‘Di Cawna Library emerged from the conviction that books must be universally accessible, and that every individual—regardless of age—deserves the chance to read, dream, and develop personally.’

The launch event gathered diverse stakeholders including community residents, parents, students, educators, authors, and national and multilateral partners. Notably, Minister of Finance and the Public Service Fayval Williams delivered formal remarks and received recognition as the first governmental minister to publicly endorse the Di Cawna Library initiative approximately three years prior. Minister Williams commended the project and expressed aspirations for its replication across additional Jamaican communities.

The Jamaican Government has announced a substantial investment of $100 million JMD to address critical infrastructure needs along the vital roadway connecting Anchovy in St. James to Shettlewood in Hanover. This initiative, operating under the GO Road Rehabilitation Programme, will specifically prioritize the Mount Carey to Montpelier corridor as part of a broader strategy to enhance regional connectivity and stimulate economic activity across western Jamaica.

Scheduled to commence in the third week of January 2024, the rehabilitation work will follow the completion of pipe-laying activities conducted by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) for the Shettlewood to Anchovy Pipeline Project. This carefully coordinated timeline between the National Works Agency (NWA) and JSIF aims to maximize efficiency, prevent costly rework, and ensure optimal use of public funds.

The comprehensive repairs will target sections severely compromised by surface deterioration, including potholes, edge breaks, and areas damaged by both natural wear and recent excavation activities. Upon completion, the project is expected to deliver significantly improved road safety standards and smoother driving conditions for thousands of daily users, including local residents, public transportation operators, commercial enterprises, and agricultural transporters.

Robert Nesta Morgan, Minister with responsibility for Works in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development, emphasized the strategic importance of this infrastructure investment. He noted that the corridor serves as a crucial economic link between Savanna-la-Mar in Westmoreland and Montego Bay in St. James, facilitating the movement of people, goods, and services across the western region.

This targeted rehabilitation effort forms part of the expanded GO Road Rehabilitation Programme, which now totals $1.7 billion JMD and began with initial works in Kingston and St. Andrew in December. The government’s approach demonstrates a commitment to practical infrastructure improvements through coordinated planning and execution, ensuring that rehabilitation work meets required standards and delivers lasting benefits to communities.