标签： Jamaica

MONTEGO BAY, St James — Jamaica’s education system stands at a pivotal juncture as it develops its 2025–2035 strategic plan, with Montego Bay Community College Principal Dr. Darien Henry advocating for a fundamental reorientation toward systemic resilience and educator support. Speaking at the University of Technology’s Teacher Education Summit, Henry emphasized that resilience must transition from being an individual burden to an institutional responsibility.

Henry drew upon MBCC’s experience during Hurricane Melissa to illustrate how catastrophic events expose structural vulnerabilities, transforming rather than merely interrupting educational operations. He revealed that teachers frequently served as stability anchors amid chaos, often while managing personal crises and operating in suboptimal conditions.

‘The education sector cannot continually expect educators to function as pillars of stability without reinforcing the structures that support them,’ Henry asserted. ‘Resilience encompasses operational, emotional, and profoundly human dimensions that demand policy-level solutions.’

The academic leader detailed MBCC’s crisis response framework, which incorporated remote management protocols, enhanced communication channels, and a two-phase recovery strategy prioritizing stabilization before restoration. These measures, he noted, were consciously designed to mitigate uncertainty and preserve staff welfare.

Henry specifically called for formal policy mechanisms addressing teachers’ psychosocial needs, arguing that well-being must be institutionalized rather than relying on informal collegial support. He positioned educator welfare as a performance indicator directly linked to educational effectiveness and system stability.

As a presidential candidate for the Jamaica Teachers’ Association, Henry’s recommendations align with his broader campaign focus on strengthening professional support systems and elevating educators’ status. He concluded that resilience represents an ongoing practice during reconstruction rather than a destination achieved after recovery.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad — Caribbean Community (Caricom) officials have declared micro-credentials a strategic imperative for regional development, positioning them as critical tools for addressing climate vulnerability, economic transformation, and skills mobility. The announcement came during the Commonwealth of Learning’s inaugural planning session for the Caricom Micro-Credentials Sub-Framework Development in Trinidad this Monday.

Alison Drayton, Assistant Secretary-General of Human and Social Development at the Caricom Secretariat, emphasized that these compact learning certifications represent more than educational innovation—they constitute a necessity for the region’s survival and progress. “Our ability to respond effectively to climate crises, build resilience, adapt infrastructure, and transition toward greener economies depends fundamentally on the skills of our people,” Drayton stated before delegates.

The framework under development addresses twin urgent realities: profound economic and social transformation driven by digitalization and climate vulnerability, and the corresponding need for education systems to demonstrate greater agility and relevance. Micro-credentials offer a pathway to redesign how learning is designed, delivered, and recognized across the Caribbean’s diverse education landscapes.

Drayton outlined four critical pillars for successful implementation: coherence and quality assurance to ensure credentials are credible and transparent; portability and regional recognition to facilitate labor mobility; responsiveness to labor market needs in emerging fields like renewable energy and climate-smart agriculture; and equitable access for marginalized populations including out-of-school youth, working adults, and rural communities.

The Assistant Secretary-General cautioned against fragmented regional adoption, emphasizing that the framework must balance national priorities with collective goals. “This consultation is not merely technical—it is foundational to building a new social compact around learning,” she concluded, acknowledging the technical working group’s diligent preparation of the draft framework.

Jamaica has unveiled an innovative work-study initiative designed to transform the educational landscape and address longstanding financial challenges facing tertiary students. The LEAP (Learn, Earn and Prosper) program, announced by Prime Minister Andrew Holness during the 2026/27 Budget Debate, represents a groundbreaking collaboration between government authorities and student leadership.

The initiative, developed through the HEART/NSTA Trust, will provide part-time paid employment opportunities for university students across both public and private sectors while they continue their academic pursuits. This strategic intervention directly responds to concerns raised by students regarding education financing and professional development opportunities.

Roshaun Wynter, President of The University of the West Indies Mona Guild, who played a pivotal role in shaping the program, described the student response as overwhelmingly positive. “Students are genuinely excited because this demonstrates that productive partnerships between government and student leadership can generate meaningful change,” Wynter stated, noting a significant shift from traditionally adversarial relationships to collaborative policy development.

The program’s conception emerged from extensive student consultations where financial security and professional training emerged as primary concerns. Wynter developed a comprehensive manifesto based on these consultations, which eventually gained traction with education ministry officials and ultimately received prime ministerial endorsement.

Unlike traditional internship models that require full-time commitment, LEAP offers a specialized part-time framework allowing students to maintain full-time academic status while working 15-20 hours weekly at competitive internship rates. This flexible approach addresses the critical challenge of students juggling full-time work with full-time studies, often compromising academic performance.

Beyond financial relief, the program incorporates HEART’s job-readiness curriculum to enhance workplace preparedness, simultaneously addressing employer concerns about graduates lacking practical experience. Prime Minister Holness acknowledged student leaders Wynter and University of Technology Jamaica Students’ Union President Percival Roberts for their instrumental leadership in developing the initiative.

The LEAP program constitutes a key component of Jamaica’s broader strategy to strengthen the transition from tertiary education to workforce integration—an identified gap in the country’s education and labor systems. Stakeholders anticipate pilot implementation this summer, with full-scale deployment targeted for the upcoming academic year.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A significant urban renewal initiative has commenced at Manor Park’s bustling bus lay-by and commercial vending zone, marking the beginning of a comprehensive modernization project for one of the Kingston Metropolitan Area’s most frequented transportation and economic centers.

Delano Seiveright, Member of Parliament for St Andrew North Central, formally announced the project’s launch, highlighting its dual focus on infrastructure enhancement and socioeconomic improvement for local vendors and commuters. “We are fundamentally transforming Manor Park into an organized, contemporary commercial and transport hub that aligns with Jamaica’s development standards,” Seiveright stated. “After years of suboptimal operating conditions, we’re creating an environment that fosters small business growth, enhances commuting efficiency, and builds community pride through practical, people-centered development.”

The project represents a collaborative effort between public and private entities, with Seiveright leading coordination alongside private sector partner Richard Lake and the Pan Jamaica Group. Additional support comes from key public agencies including the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC), with Councillor Susan Senior receiving special recognition for her coordination efforts.

Initial construction activities began with the removal and environmentally responsible disposal of outdated makeshift vending structures. These preparatory works pave the way for installing modern retail kiosks designed to elevate the area’s visual aesthetics, safety protocols, and functional efficiency.

Future development phases will introduce modern restroom facilities, strategic landscaping with integrated signage, and covered waiting areas with seating accommodations for commuters. Subsequent construction stages are scheduled to begin next month as the project advances toward full realization.

The initiative benefits from multi-sector support including contributions from the Lisa Hanna Foundation, Burger King, Popeyes, Wisynco, the Tourism Product Development Company, and the National Solid Waste Management Authority.

This transformation of Manor Park constitutes one component of a broader strategic effort to upgrade community and commercial spaces throughout St Andrew North Central, focusing on infrastructure improvement, micro-enterprise support, and comprehensive urban management enhancements. Phase one construction is expected to continue progressively in the coming weeks, with subsequent phases following accordingly.

Jamaica’s National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) is launching a strategic overhaul of its enforcement operations to combat the pervasive national crisis of illegal garbage dumping. Executive Director Audley Gordon, expressing profound frustration, announced the formation of a specialized, high-caliber enforcement team equipped with advanced investigative and prosecutorial expertise. This initiative responds to escalating complaints from communities like Waltham Park, St. Andrew, where residents report that cleaned areas are repeatedly trashed by motorists and locals shortly after NSWMA interventions.

Gordon characterized illegal dumping as a widespread and costly national habit that severely strains the agency’s resources. Despite existing efforts—including interceptions, prosecutions, and the installation of ‘No Dumping’ signs that are often torn down or ignored—the problem persists with blatant disregard. The current penalties under the National Solid Waste Management Act (2001) and its 2003 regulations impose fines ranging from JMD $2,000 to $10,000 for violations.

In a significant regulatory development, Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie confirmed that legislation to substantially increase these fines is slated for tabling and passage in the upcoming legislative year. This move, seven years after initial Cabinet recommendations, aims to strengthen the framework for public order enforcement. Minister McKenzie emphasized that statutory changes alone are insufficient, requiring a fundamental shift in public behavior and broader stakeholder cooperation, including local authorities and the police.

The NSWMA’s new strategy involves deploying trained security personnel and experts in undercover operations within six months, supported by an upgraded fleet of vehicles. Gordon concurrently stressed the critical importance of public education and civic responsibility, urging citizens to utilize registered waste haulers and consider the minimal cost of proper disposal against the severe environmental consequences—blocked drains, flooding, and community degradation. He issued a rallying cry for collective national action to transform Jamaica into one of the world’s cleanest nations, asserting that preserving its beauty is a duty shared by all citizens, not just the NSWMA.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The National Water Commission (NWC) has enacted stringent service restrictions for communities dependent on the Constant Spring System, implementing an alternating 12-hour water supply schedule effective immediately. This emergency measure responds to critically declining water levels at the Hermitage Dam, which continue to diminish despite recent rainfall and now approach the dangerous threshold of 65 percent capacity.

The NWC’s regulatory division has strategically segmented the Constant Spring network into two distinct operational zones. Upper Constant Spring encompasses areas situated above the Ministry of Justice, while Lower Constant Spring covers regions below this geographical marker.

According to the published timetable, upper sector communities including Duhaney Park, Patrick City, Pembroke Hall, and sections of Havendale and Meadowbrook will receive water provision from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am daily. Conversely, lower sector areas such as Half Way Tree, Hagley Park Road, Maxfield Avenue, and Cockburn Gardens will have access from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Commission officials revealed that approximately 133 water supply systems across Jamaica currently demonstrate vulnerability to arid conditions, with potential for additional restrictions if hydrological conditions deteriorate further. Monitoring data indicates several systems are experiencing lower inflow rates compared to the same period last year, necessitating proactive conservation measures.

The Mona Reservoir system remains stable at approximately 85 percent capacity, allowing normal operations to continue for its service areas. The NWC urges affected residents to diligently observe the regulation schedule, implement water conservation practices, and store adequate supplies during their allocated service windows.

Recommended conservation measures include promptly repairing household leaks, installing water-saving devices, reusing grey water for non-potable purposes, and practicing continuous water preservation. The Commission maintains its commitment to ongoing system surveillance and will provide public updates as hydrological conditions evolve.

A coalition of humanitarian organizations led by KW Cares Jamaica has intensified its post-hurricane recovery operations, delivering critical assistance to vulnerable communities across Jamaica’s western region. Under the strategic direction of co-directors Brittany Ffrench and Keisha Whittingham, the initiative has mobilized significant resources to address the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

On March 20, the collaborative effort saw distribution teams including Community Organised Relief Effort (CORE), Aubyn Foundation, and Treasure Bay Estates providing essential care packages at Fullerswood Primary School in St. Elizabeth. The operation supplied food staples, clothing, and sanitary products to approximately 1,000 households, with additional support extended to the Arlington community in Vineyard.

Ffrench emphasized the organization’s long-standing commitment to national development through community-focused programs. “In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, we recognized the imperative to expand our outreach and intensify support for those most severely impacted,” she stated. The disaster has highlighted the critical need for unified response mechanisms and strengthened community resilience.

Since the hurricane’s passage, KW Cares Jamaica has maintained continuous support operations, facilitating home reconstruction and repair projects while coordinating consistent delivery of relief supplies through partner networks. The organization is now planning additional fundraising initiatives, including a benefit play, to sustain recovery efforts.

Key contributors to the initiative included Nevin Nish (Keller Williams Jamaica Qualifying Director), Shelly James (Local Consultant and Project Manager), and team members Andrea Stultz-Rhône, Sharon Reynolds, Denise Lewis-Bridge, Romeo Farquahson, Jade Richardson, Amanda Saddler, Shelieka Dehaney, and Samantha Mortgage.