"Brian Payne" not affiliated to Youth Ministry

Tuesday, January 13, 2015 | 12:54 PM    

KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Ministry of Youth and Culture says it has become aware that a man who gives his name as ‘Brian Payne’ has been falsely representing himself as recruiter for the Ministry.

The Ministry in a release said that it received a complaint from Crescent Primary School that the man had “hired” young people to assist teachers at the school with the promise that they would be recompensed by the Ministry.

The Ministry noted that is not familiar and is not associated in any way with the activities of ‘Brian Payne’.  Additionally, the Ministry of Youth and Culture does not hire assistants for teachers in schools.

The Youth Ministry further advised all schools that have been approached by ‘Brian Payne’ or anyone else with a similar proposal to report it to the Ministry of Education for advice and guidance.

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"Brian Payne" not affiliated to Youth Ministry

Health ministry prepares for possible ebloa outbrreak

As part of ongoing preparations for a possible introduction of the ebola virus into Jamaica, the Ministry of Health is undertaking ongoing activities to ensure that the requisite systems and resources are in place to enable a comprehensive response.

Acting Director, Emergency, Disaster Management and Special Services, Dr Sonia Copeland, points out that although Jamaica has no case of ebola at this time, it continues its preparation against the background of the current outbreak in west Africa.

“Our preparation activities have been heightened in line with World Health Organisation recommendations. We urge members of the public to pay close attention to information about ebola especially if they have to travel to any of the affected countries,” she said.

The overall situation of the ebola outbreak in west and central Africa remains critical. The following countries are now affected: Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Senegal. As of September 25, 2014, the World Health Organisation reports a cumulative total of 6,263 cases including 2,917 deaths from the affected countries.

She said persons are advised to avoid non-essential travel to the affected areas. If persons have to travel to these areas they are advised not to handle dead animals and restrict close and intimate contact with persons who may be infected or could be a contact of an infected person.

Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with blood and other bodily fluids or secretions such as stool, saliva, urine and semen of infected persons. Infection can also occur if broken skin comes in contact with environments that have become contaminated with an ebola patient’s infectious fluids such as soiled clothing, bed linen or used needles.

For more information persons may contact the Ministry of Health Emergency Operations Centre at 1888-663-5683 or 1888-ONE LOVE.

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Health ministry prepares for possible ebloa outbrreak

Industry Ministry defends changes to car import policy

8:40 pm, Sun September 28, 2014

Industry Ministry Anthony Hylton has defended new provisions in the Motor Vehicle Import Policy in the wake of  rumblings in the used car trade.He says there was adequate consultation on the revised Policy. The Jamaica Used Car Dealers Association last week indicated that its members will not comply with new requirements that they provide warranties for front end and electrical parts on vehicles they sell.The Industry Minister responded to the Association’s concerns last night and emphasized that it was geared towards the proctection of consumers. The Used Car Dealers Association says the Policy will discourage its members from importing popular affordable vehicles to avoid the risk of  paying extensively to change certain parts.In the meantime, Mr. Hylton says the door is still open to members of  the used car industry to air concerns about the new Policy.

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Industry Ministry defends changes to car import policy

Industry Ministry defends changes to car import policy

8:40 pm, Sun September 28, 2014

Industry Ministry Anthony Hylton has defended new provisions in the Motor Vehicle Import Policy in the wake of  rumblings in the used car trade.He says there was adequate consultation on the revised Policy. The Jamaica Used Car Dealers Association last week indicated that its members will not comply with new requirements that they provide warranties for front end and electrical parts on vehicles they sell.The Industry Minister responded to the Association’s concerns last night and emphasized that it was geared towards the proctection of consumers. The Used Car Dealers Association says the Policy will discourage its members from importing popular affordable vehicles to avoid the risk of  paying extensively to change certain parts.In the meantime, Mr. Hylton says the door is still open to members of  the used car industry to air concerns about the new Policy.

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Industry Ministry defends changes to car import policy

Ministry to implement animal tagging system

Saturday, September 27, 2014 | 9:07 AM    

KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Ministry of Agriculture will go ahead with plans of the late Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke to have animals – including pigs, sheep and goats – tagged under the National Animal Identification and Traceability System (NAITS).

Chief Technical Director, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dervan Spence said that while much attention has been placed on the tagging of cattle as part of efforts to combat praedial larceny, all animals will eventually be included in the system.

He was addressing pig farmers and other stakeholders at the 12th annual general meeting of the Jamaica Pig Farmers Association (JPFA), at the Golf View hotel in Mandeville, on September 25.

Spence said the animal tags are now on the island and the ministry is in the process of increasing its stakeholder sensitisation and public education sessions, to ensure the highest level of understanding and cooperation as the programme is implemented.

He pointed out that in relation to pigs, the computer software used for cattle tracking will be adapted to support the system to trace and monitor pigs from the farm to processing, packaging and export.

The Chief Technical Director also informed that while the national animal tagging system is expected to have the spin-off effect of aiding the Government’s praedial larceny efforts, the system is primarily aimed at addressing animal health, identification and traceability.

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Ministry to implement animal tagging system

Health ministry calls on community to help fight Chik-v

The Ministry of Health is calling on community members to organise clean-up activities in their areas as part of efforts to reduce the spread of chikungunya.

Acting chief medical officer, Dr Marion Bullock DuCasse, says community involvement and personal responsibility are important to reducing the breeding of the Aedes aegypti mosquito which is the vector that spreads the Chikungunya virus.

“We want community members to band together and take a day to clean up their communities, including their home, schools and churches in the areas. We also want businesses to get on board and do the same for their workplaces.

Breeding sites

We have to continue our efforts to search for and destroy mosquito breeding sites as this is the primary way in which we will be able to reduce the spread of chikungunya and other vector borne diseases,” Dr DuCasse said.

As of September 12, 2014, 321 notifications were received and reviewed by the Ministry of which 183 met the case definition which means that they had the appropriate symptoms and have been deemed suspected cases of chikungunya.

Of the 183 suspected cases, 24 tested negative and were discarded and 25 were laboratory confirmed including an additional case confirmed by CARPHA on Friday.

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Health ministry calls on community to help fight Chik-v

Ministry of Labour seeking to increase number of NIS contributors

The Ministry of  Labour is to embark on a major drive to increase the number of persons who contribute to the National Insurance Scheme, NIS.
Under the law, all working persons are required to contribute to the NIS.
However, Labour Minister Derrick Kellier says of  the estimated 1.2 million employed persons, a little over 400,000 are contributors to the NIS.
Mr. Kellier says the Ministry will go on an aggressive public relations campaign over the next few months, to encourage all working persons to contribute to the NIS, and to inform them of  the benefits.

In the meantime, Mr. Kellier says given the increase in the population over the last two decades, accompanied by the rise in life expectancy, the Government has paid out huge sums from the NIS.
Payments currently stand at J$14b versus J$11b in contributions.
Mr. Kellier says if  there is an increase in contributors the J$3b shortfall can be filled.
This will also reduce the need to tap into the National Insurance Fund to fill the gap.
The Fund now stands at nearly J$70b.

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Ministry of Labour seeking to increase number of NIS contributors

St Lucia priest withdrawn from ministry after relationship with male parishioner

Gros Islet Parish Priest Fr. Stephen Quinlan

CASTRIES, St. Lucia, Monday July 7, 2014, CMC – The Roman Catholic Church Monday confirmed that a priest had been withdrawn from the ministry “with immediate effect’ after he had a relationship with a male parishioner.

“It was clear that the Priest crossed his boundaries and acted inappropriately,” said Archbishop Robert Rivas adding that the Church had considered the matter to be serious.

In a statement, in which the priest was not identified, Archbishop Rivas said the priest had also been sent on administrative leave during which time he will receive “spiritual and counselling support.

However, according to St Lucia News Online, the priest in question is Gros Islet Parish Priest Fr. Stephen Quinlan and the “relationship” was with an adult male.

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“This is an ongoing process so whenever a situation develops, once it’s brought to the attention of the authorities the matter will be properly investigated and once it is proved that something is wrong, that there has been bad behavior or an injustice, we have to ensure that it is corrected,” Archbishop Robert Rivas said, recalling the position adopted by the Catholic Church in the wake of allegations against priests over the past two decades.

He said that the Roman Catholic Church would not cover up for indiscretions by priests in the future.

“We have to be open and transparent,” Rivas declared, noting that the incident involving the priest was “a fairly recent matter.”

The Archbishop also disclosed that church protocol dictates that the victim always has to be considered, and said the church had offered counselling to the adult male involved, which the church hoped he would accept.

Archbishop Rivas said counseling would also be made available to parishioners, who have designated Saturday a day of prayer, and will participate in a “mass of healing” on Friday.

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St Lucia priest withdrawn from ministry after relationship with male parishioner

Labour Ministry commends Fire Brigade on handling of gas tanker fire

Friday, January 10, 2014 | 6:31 PM    

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development has lauded firefighters on the job done extinguishing a burning oil tanker along the Mona Road residential community of St Andrew on Thursday.

“The Jamaica Fire service is often faced with heavy criticism from the public, but notwithstanding these criticisms, among other challenges, the members of the Jamaica Fire Brigade remain strong, committed individuals, dedicated to providing great service to this nation and as such they must be applauded,” the ministry said in a statement Friday.

According to the ministry the fire fighters contained the blaze, which could have spread to houses nearby, preventing a loss of life and further damage.

The ministry said that it took seven units from the Half-Way-Tree, Rollington Town and York Park fire stations to put out the blaze.

“We would also like to recognise the brave actions taken by the driver of the gas tank truck that caught fire. Mr Mutler’s quick thinking and response also resulted in the saving of lives and property and it would be remiss of us to not extend sincere gratitude and appreciation for what he did,” said Junior Local Government Minister, Colin Fagan.

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Labour Ministry commends Fire Brigade on handling of gas tanker fire

CSEC results improved this year, Education Ministry says

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Overall performance in the 2013 May/June Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination improved when compared to results of 2012, the Education Ministry has reported. 

According to the CSEC Public Information Officer, Cleveland Sam, 65 per cent of subject entries achieved acceptable grades – Grades I – III, compared with 62 per cent in 2012.“This year, performance improved on 21 of the 35 subjects offered, including the two English and two Mathematics subjects. English A saw a 10 per cent improvement in performance with 57 per cent of entries achieving Grades I – III compared with 47 per cent last year; while for English B there was a five per cent improvement with 73 per cent achieving acceptable grades compared with 68 per cent last year,” he said.Additional Mathematics, which was offered for the first time last year saw improved performance at its second sitting this year – 70 per cent of the entries achieved Grades I-III, compared with 58 per cent at the first sitting. While there was a slight improvement on Mathematics over last year, performance however, remained below average with 35 per cent of entries achieving acceptable grades compared to 33 per cent last year.  “The work produced by the majority of the candidates on Paper 02 was unsatisfactory,” the Subject Awards Committee reported. The Committee noted that more than 13, 000 candidates were unable to measure and state the length of a given line and determine the measure of an angle on one question.Of the three natural science subjects, performance improved on Biology and Chemistry and declined on Physics. For Biology, there was a marginal improvement – 73 per cent of acceptable grades this year compared with 72 per cent last year. Sixty-two per cent of entries achieved acceptable grades on Chemistry compared with 58 per cent in 2012.  For Physics there was a 10-point decline – 66 per cent of entries achieved acceptable grades this year compared with 76 per cent last year.Performance on Human and Social Biology also improved with 63 per cent of entries achieving acceptable grades compared with 56 per cent last year. In Agricultural Science (Double Award) performance improved from 91 per cent last year to 96 per cent this year; while Agricultural Science (Single Award) remained fairly steady. This year 93 per cent of entries achieved acceptable grades compared with 92 per cent last year.Principles of Accounts was the most outstanding performer in the business subject cluster, showing the most significantly improved performance. Seventy-five per cent of the 23, 000 entries who took POA achieved acceptable grades compared with 56 per cent last year.Performance on Economics also improved significantly this year, with 81 per cent of entries achieving acceptable grades compared with 65 per cent last year. POB and Office Administration saw a three per cent and one per cent decline respectively. Performance in foreign languages, French and Spanish, improved by three percentage points this year when compared with 2012. For French 77 per cent of entries achieved acceptable grades compared with 2012, and for Spanish 70 per cent achieved similar grades this year compared with 67 per cent last year.There was a marginal one per cent improvement on Caribbean History with 71 per cent of entries achieving acceptable grades compared with 70 per cent in 2012. For Social Studies there was a marginal decline in performance with 66 per cent of entries achieving acceptable grades compared with 70 per cent last year.The subjects in the expressive arts cluster performed very well overall. Ninety-three per cent of entries for Theatre Arts achieved acceptable grades compared with 90 per cent in 2012. Visual Arts saw an eight-per cent improvement in performance with 76 per cent achieving acceptable grades compared with 68 per cent last year.Performance on Music improved with 70 per cent of entries for Music achieving acceptable grades this year compared with 65 per cent last year.Physical Education and Sport returned the highest percentage of acceptable grades – 96 per cent, even though performance was down slightly when compared with 2012 when 98 per cent of the entries achieved similar grades.Both candidate entries and subject entries declined this year when compared with 2012. This year 149,311 candidates registered for CSEC examinations, compared with 156,970 candidates in 2012.Subject entries fell by just over 19,000 when compared with last year – 616,346 subject entries were submitted this year, compared with 635,498 last year.Mathematics continues to be the largest subject entry with 102,124 entries this year, down from 105,849 entries last year.English A is the second largest subject with 98,063 entries, down from 101,022 entries last year; it is followed by Social Studies–52,772; Principles of Business– 35,430; and Human and Social Biology–32,280.Additional Mathematics was the subject with the largest increase of entries; this year, 3,151 subject entries were submitted, up from 1,861 when the subject was first offered last year.The 19-year-old and over age group constituted 33 per cent of the candidate population this year; the 17-year age group made up 28 per cent; candidates 16-years old accounted for 19 per cent and those 18-years old constituted 15 per cent of the candidates, and candidates at 15-year-old represented just over three per cent of the entries.Patrick FLike our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserverFollow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserver

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CSEC results improved this year, Education Ministry says

Ministry of Education in discussion with partners to build schools

News

Friday, August 09, 2013

THE Ministry of Education is currently in discussion with several local and international partners regarding investment opportunities, which can be created within the education sector.This was disclosed by portfolio minister Ronald Thwaites at a meeting of the Rotary Club of Downtown Kingston, held at the Hotel Four Seasons in Kingston, on Wednesday.“We have a number of unsolicited proposals from financial houses here and abroad, which are anxious to invest in education and we are prepared, under the aegis of the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) and in consultation with the World Bank and the Ministry of Finance, to engage in such processes, so that we can use private capital prudently…to build out the many thousands of places that are required to improve our quality,” he said.The minister further noted that with these partnerships, new schools can be constructed, while existing ones will be expanded which will ultimately lead to the elimination of the shift system in schools across the island.He pointed out that these partners were looking to invest millions within the sector, adding that partnerships with the Government will only redound to the benefit of the country.“There is one proposing to build seven schools… and there are others with different size and different emphasis. We are meeting with the Ministry of Finance, the DBJ and (other) representatives to discuss how it can be done,” he said, adding that the proposals have been put forward for several months now.In the meantime, the education minister used the opportunity to encourage members of the service club to continue investing in the sector as part of efforts to upgrade the education system.The minister said that the club has played an important role in garnering support for education, through charitable donations in terms of awarding scholarships and providing schools with needed equipment.— JISMinister of Education Ronald Thwaites (second left) shares a light moment with scholarship awardee Kia Cole (right), during the NCB Employees Co-operative Credit Union Limited’s 2013 Treasure Chest Solid Goal Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) scholarship award ceremony, held at the Hotel Four Seasons in Kingston on Wednesday. Other awardees (from left) are: Angel Baker and Jonathan Scott. Also pictured (at second right) is president of the credit union, Josephine Bennett-Darmand.

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Ministry of Education in discussion with partners to build schools

Foreign ministry meets with Canadian officials

News

Friday, August 09, 2013

Foreign Minister, Senator A J Nicholson (third right) yesterday received a courtesy call from members of the Canadian Parliament and private sector, led by Don Meredith (third left), a Jamaican-born member of the Canadian Senate. While in Jamaica, the Canadian team visited the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show in Clarendon, and attended the Independence Grand Gala at the National Stadium in Kingston. The foreign ministry said yesterday that the participation of the Canadians is part of a wider programme to promote greater collaboration in trade and investment between Canadian and Jamaican interests. Participating in the discussions are David Prendergast (centre), head of the Trade Agreements Implementation Coordination Unit, Foreign Trade Division; wife of Senator Meredith, Michelle (second left); Sima Gandhi (left), an official from the Canadian private sector; Cherryl Gordon, (second right), acting deputy director, Foreign Trade Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade; and Deon Williams, acting director, Bilateral Affairs Department of the ministry.

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$100m Independence allocation will generate income for small businesses -- Ministry

News

Friday, July 26, 2013 | 11:55 AM

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Ministry of Youth and Culture today said the Government’s allocation of $100 million to the Emancipation and Independence celebrations for 2013 will generate revenues for medium, small and micro business across the country. According to Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Culture, Sydney Bartley the staging of such events should be seen as much more than leisure or entertainment activities, but rather as part of a creative industry which generates jobs and other opportunities for hundreds of Jamaicans.“As an industry, several things are happening: there are persons working and they get that work whenever the creative industry has an event.  When the Government is celebrating Independence, dancers, musicians, bands, sound system operators, hairdressers, vendors and many others are employed”, he said.Many of the participants in these activities are from inner-city communities and they look forward to the staging of the ‘Emancipendence’ events primarily because of the potential to earn. In many instances these occasional events are their only source of income, Bartley said.The Permanent Secretary argued that the staging of events such as the Grand Gala provides a financial boost to businesses, performers and skilled technicians and therefore represents an investment in the Jamaican economy.Speaking at the recent launch of Emancipation and Independence celebrations, Youth and Culture Minister Lisa Hanna said that the Government was aware of the economic challenges that the country is facing and as such the celebrations will be held within the context of fiscal responsibility and done within budget.“The Government in general, and specifically, the Ministry of Youth and Culture, recognises the importance of staging these celebrations as a part of the programme for economic and social restoration. It has been manifested time and time again that we are at our best when we celebrate the achievement of our nation,” Hanna said.

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$100m Independence allocation will generate income for small businesses -- Ministry

$100m Independence allocation will generate income for small businesses -- Ministry

Latest News

Friday, July 26, 2013 | 11:55 AM

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Ministry of Youth and Culture today said the Government’s allocation of $100 million to the Emancipation and Independence celebrations for 2013 will generate revenues for medium, small and micro business across the country. According to Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Culture, Sydney Bartley the staging of such events should be seen as much more than leisure or entertainment activities, but rather as part of a creative industry which generates jobs and other opportunities for hundreds of Jamaicans.“As an industry, several things are happening: there are persons working and they get that work whenever the creative industry has an event.  When the Government is celebrating Independence, dancers, musicians, bands, sound system operators, hairdressers, vendors and many others are employed”, he said.Many of the participants in these activities are from inner-city communities and they look forward to the staging of the ‘Emancipendence’ events primarily because of the potential to earn. In many instances these occasional events are their only source of income, Bartley said.The Permanent Secretary argued that the staging of events such as the Grand Gala provides a financial boost to businesses, performers and skilled technicians and therefore represents an investment in the Jamaican economy.Speaking at the recent launch of Emancipation and Independence celebrations, Youth and Culture Minister Lisa Hanna said that the Government was aware of the economic challenges that the country is facing and as such the celebrations will be held within the context of fiscal responsibility and done within budget.“The Government in general, and specifically, the Ministry of Youth and Culture, recognises the importance of staging these celebrations as a part of the programme for economic and social restoration. It has been manifested time and time again that we are at our best when we celebrate the achievement of our nation,” Hanna said.Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserverFollow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserver

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$100m Independence allocation will generate income for small businesses -- Ministry

Labour Ministry intervenes in sugar workers impasse

News

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

THE Ministry of Labour and Social Security has set an emergency conciliation meeting for tomorrow at 10:00 am, in an effort to resolve an impasse between Pan Caribbean Sugar Company and the unions representing workers at the Monymusk, Bernard Lodge and Frome sugar factories.The workers have been demonstrating since Monday against the sending on leave of 132 security guards, and the contracting of a private security firm, Quest, by Pan- Caribbean/Complant, the Chinese firm which bought the three factories in 2011.The unions involved are the National Workers’ Union, the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU) and the University and Allied Workers Union.Yesterday, the BITU’s deputy island supervisor in charge of the sugar sector, Harold Brown, told the Jamaica Observer that the workers are determined to show their objection to the sending off of the workers, following the redundancy of some 200 workers since last year.He said that 90 workers were made redundant recently, including 30 security guards, and on Monday another 132 security guards were sent on “discretionary leave”, which the management says is part of the restructuring of the operations.He said that the trade unions met with the management of Pan Caribbean on Monday and insisted that the company reinstate the workers. However, the talks broke down after the management turned down their request. He explained that after the talks broke down, the protest spread from Bernard Lodge, St Catherine, to Monymusk, Clarendon, and Frome, Westmoreland, yesterday.COMPLANT International took control of the three former government-owned sugar factories in August 2011, after investing more than US$8 million ($680 million) in the production of sugar cane since the start of the year.The three sugar factories and the lands immediately surrounding them were sold to COMPLANT for US$9 million or more than $700 million in July last year. Under the deal, the company also secured some 30,000 hectares of cane lands through a 49-year lease agreement, which is renewable for another 25 years.

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Labour Ministry intervenes in sugar workers impasse

Health Ministry to Carreras: You"ll know on Monday

Business

BY JULIAN RICHARDSON Assistant Business Co-orinator richardsonj@jamaicaobserver.comFriday, July 12, 2013

THE Ministry of Health says documen-tation on the new smoking regulations will be made available on Monday, the day the ban on smoking in public places becomes effective.The department was responding to Wednesday’s Business Observer article, in which cigarette distributor Carreras complained that it has been unable to assess costs and plan around the new smoking laws, as the company had yet to be given access to actual documen-tation on the rules.In a statement to the newspaper, Health Ministry director of communications Neville Graham said: “The Ministry of Health wishes to reiterate that the ban on smoking in public places takes effect on Monday July 15, 2013. By that time all stakeholders will have the relevant information. Rest assured, labelling standards and packaging requirements will be available in good time.”Christopher Brown, head of corporate and regulatory affairs at Carreras, said earler this week that the company was “very concerned” about not having yet seen a copy of the regulations, especially given the fact that it only has a six-month transitional period to comply with the new law.In accordance with the ban on smoking in public spaces, announced two weeks ago by Health Minister Dr Fenton Ferguson, establish-ments will have six months within which to post ‘No smoking’ signs, and tobacco products will have to carry large, graphic health warnings instead of the text-only warnings currently used.The new labelling standards could cost Carreras a significant amount of money in repackaging of its tobacco products.“That has significant production implications, so if we are unable to see what those specifications — images, fonts etc — are, I am not too sure how we can prepare,” Brown said, noting that “Production and packaging issues are not an overnight effort in terms of what is required… time is ticking and we have not seen the regulations ourselves.”With a matter of days before the ban on smoking in public places comes into effect, Brown said his company has been getting calls from many of its partners seeking clarification on the issue.“We have gotten calls from small, medium and large-sized hotels, bars and restaurants who, like us, have not seen the specifics of the regulations, are unclear as to what is happening in terms of the details and who are not sure how to prepare,” Brown said, arguing that “It is very unfortunate how the regulations have been rolled out. It is really untidy.”Cigarette distributor Carreras complained that it has been unable to assess costs and plan around the new smoking laws, as the company had yet to be given access to actual documentation on the rules.

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Health Ministry to Carreras: You"ll know on Monday

Education Ministry focuses on prevention in addressing teen pregnancies

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Friday, June 28, 2013 | 9:46 AM

KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Permanent Secretary in the Education Ministry, Elaine Foster Allen, says that focus will be placed on prevention in reducing teen pregnancies in Jamaica.She said that the Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) programme will be bolstered to reflect this focus, with a strong prevention message that seeks to identify and address the factors contributing to teen pregnancy.“It is important that the message is about prevention rather than cure, and that is why we need to strengthen the HFLE programme. We have to make it common sense not to get pregnant as a teenager,” she stated.She was addressing a meeting at the Ministry on Wednesday (June 26)  with the visiting delegation from Burkina Faso, held by the First Lady of the West African country, Her Excellency Chantal Compaoré.The strengthening of the HFLE programme, is one of several strategies being undertaken by the administration as part of its National Policy on Reintegrating School-aged Mothers into the Formal School System. The policy, which becomes effective September this year, aims to ensure that all adolescent mothers are able to complete their formal education.The HFLE aims to mentally and physically prepare the nation’s youth for various changes and challenges they may experience on the journey to adulthood. The programme seeks to aid students in developing the skills required to make healthy life choices and to maintain the behaviours that make for their good health and support a better society.Prevention messages will be integrated in school-based and national Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) and HFLE programmes. Men and boys, who father the children of student mothers will also be targeted through the programmes of the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation (WCJF) and their ongoing partnerships with the security and justice sectors, the Permanent Secretary, said.According to data from the Registrar General’s Department (RGD) approximately 3,000 girls, 17 years and under, account for 18 per cent of all live births per year.Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserverFollow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserver

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Education Ministry focuses on prevention in addressing teen pregnancies