SIZZLA BURNS GAYS GOVERNMENT & THE SYSTEM

After his electrifying performance at Rebel Salute…Sizzla took out his frustration on a number of issues to our camera

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SIZZLA BURNS GAYS GOVERNMENT & THE SYSTEM

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

Electronic Patient Administration system to be implemented

The Ministry of Health is implementing a pilot project that will see the establishment of the Electronic Patient Administration System (ePAS) in eight facilities.

Health Minister Dr Fenton Ferguson, says these include the four Centres of Excellence and four Regional Hospitals.

“The pilot project is funded through the National Health Fund to the tune of $50 million. This is a part of the National Health Information System Strengthening and E-Health Strategic Plan 2014-2018 for which we are receiving support from GNU Solidario. This will be a game changer and will bring greater efficiencies in our health care system while establishing that platform to advance the local and international health agendas,” Dr Ferguson said.

The ePAS is among the priority technology solutions which will be implemented on a phased basis starting with the pilot phase. This is being done through a two-year memorandum of understanding signed in September 2013 with GNU Solidario, the lead for the community of developers for the GNU Health software.

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Electronic Patient Administration system to be implemented

Jamaican electricity customers to get islandwide pre-paid system by year-end

The Jamaica Public Service Company, the country’s sole electricity distributor, is projecting that a new pre-paid billing system will be available island-wide by year end. The system allows customers to pay a set price for a fixed period of  service.
The programme has started, on a pilot basis, in Portmore, a large urban community just outside the capital city, Kingston.

Kelly Tomblin, CEO of JPS, explained on RJR’s “Beyond the Headlines” on Tuesday that the company will use information from the pilot project to prepare for the island-wide expansion.

“We wanted to get in and piloted before our Customer Information System upgrade,” she explained.

Expressing excitement about the initiative, Tomblin said, with the customer being in charge of how much electricity to use on a pre-paid basis, it would put customers “in charge” and no longer at risk of being disconnected by the JPS for failure to pay their bills.

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Jamaican electricity customers to get islandwide pre-paid system by year-end

Jamaican electricity customers to get islandwide pre-paid system by year-end

The Jamaica Public Service Company, the country’s sole electricity distributor, is projecting that a new pre-paid billing system will be available island-wide by year end. The system allows customers to pay a set price for a fixed period of  service.
The programme has started, on a pilot basis, in Portmore, a large urban community just outside the capital city, Kingston.

Kelly Tomblin, CEO of JPS, explained on RJR’s “Beyond the Headlines” on Tuesday that the company will use information from the pilot project to prepare for the island-wide expansion.

“We wanted to get in and piloted before our Customer Information System upgrade,” she explained.

Expressing excitement about the initiative, Tomblin said, with the customer being in charge of how much electricity to use on a pre-paid basis, it would put customers “in charge” and no longer at risk of being disconnected by the JPS for failure to pay their bills.

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Jamaican electricity customers to get islandwide pre-paid system by year-end

Third oldest Commonwealth parliament wants to dump British political system

The Parliament buildings in Bridgetown, Barbados (Credit: Caribbean360/Bigstock)

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Friday June 27, 2014, CMC – With experience of the Westminster parliamentary system for 375 years in their consciousness, Barbadian politicians are saying they want a change from this adversarial mode of governance.

Speaker of Parliament, Michael Carrington, on Thursday said the one reservation he had regarding Barbados’s Parliament is that the adapted the British Westminster system, which, “appeared to pit Government and Opposition inexorably against each other in aggressive, contentious and oftimes seemingly unnecessary confrontation”.

Carrington, an elected member of government, was speaking at a joint meeting of the two chambers of parliament – House of Assembly and Senate – to mark the 375th anniversary of that institution in Barbados.

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“Hunkering down behind traditional battle lines of political tribalism cannot help this country,” Opposition Leader, Mia Mottley, said, adding “bipartisan cooperation, led by a new generation of patriots who put the national interest above all else, is what Barbados needs”.

“Genuine parliamentary reform must find creative ways to embrace all talents and welcome all constructive contributions,” she said.

Within the Commonwealth, only the British Parliament, started in 1215, and the Bermuda Parliament, that began in 1620, are older than the Barbados Parliament.

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Third oldest Commonwealth parliament wants to dump British political system

Irrigation system installed at Yallahs Agro-Park

BY INGRID BROWN Associate editor — special assignment browni@jamaicaobserver.com

Monday, February 03, 2014    

FARMERS at the Yallahs Agro-Park in St Thomas now have the benefit of a $395-million irrigation system which, it is hoped, will assist in boosting onion production.

Chairman of the National Irrigation Commission Limited (NIC) Conrad Douglas said the Yallahs Irrigation System was established under phase one of the National Irrigation Development Programme (NIDP) to serve 300 farmers in the parish and irrigate more than 240 hectares of land.

The system has been jointly funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Government.

In addition to this irrigation facility, the Government, with the support of the IDB through the agriculture competitiveness programme, will invest another $46 million to install farm roads and drainage and construct a packaging house in the parish.

The Yallahs Agro-Park has started production in earnest with 22 acres of onions under production.

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, in addressing the official ceremony in St Thomas recently to commission the irrigation system and to launch the agro-park, said these facilities are intended to foster a more commercial approach to agriculture utilising best practices.

According to Simpson Miller, the agro-park concept is intended to comprehensively address all the gaps along the entire agriculture value chain.

“Government’s role in this thrust is to provide, where possible, lands with the requisite infrastructure and this includes irrigation, roads, drainage and post-harvest facilities,” Simpson Miller said.

The Government, she noted, also facilitates contracts between farmers and end-users. However, farmers are the ones who must produce and sell their crops and livestock; and must therefore bring working capital and expertise. Simpson Miller said the Government has spent well over $3 billion to install modern irrigation facilities in support of sustainable agricultural production in Jamaica.

She noted that in 1998 when the NIDP was developed, there was a consciousness that irrigation must play a critical role in lifting agricultural production and productivity.

Simpson Miller said the six projects implemented so far under the NIDP have collectively brought 2,000 hectares under production.

“The recipients of public irrigation are no longer predominantly cane farmers in the southern belt, but also from areas where our small domestic food crop farmers operate,” the prime minister said.

These include places such as Phillipsfield and East Albion in St Thomas; Ebony Park, Clarendon; Bushy Park, St Catherine; Seven Rivers, St James; and Hounslow, St Elizabeth.

She asserted that the agro-parks are here to stay, as they represent a major plank of the Government’s growth strategy and are intended to foster a more commercial approach to agriculture, utilising best practices.

“The Government also facilitates contracts between farmers and end-users. It is the farmers, however, who must produce and sell their crops and livestock. Farmers must therefore bring their working capital and their expertise,” she added.

Simpson Miller emphasised that the Government is proceeding “full speed ahead” with the agro-park programme, which will eventually put 8,000 acres into sustainable farming.

She acknowledged the contributions of the many small farmers, noting that through their efforts, in the September to December quarter of 2013 the domestic food crop sector grew by 14 per cent, compared to the corresponding quarter of 2012.

Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke said this irrigation system will bring improvements to the communities in and around Yallahs and will touch the lives of the many farmers and farm families who reside and work in this area.

The proper management of water resources, he said, is an essential component in achieving increased production levels.

“The resolve of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is to position our sector to achieve higher levels of growth and productivity,” he said, adding “our objective is to increase the production and productivity of you, the existing farmers here at Yallahs, through the engagement of best practices and to link you to markets.”

Operations Senior Specialist, Country Department – Jamaica, IDB, Harold Arzu said funding was approved for the irrigation system in response to Jamaica’s investment needs in the agricultural sector.

“The objective of this was to achieve efficient allocation of the country’s irrigation water resources through investment in infrastructure while strengthening the capacity of the NIC,” he said.

According to Arzu, the IDB recognises the importance of maintaining food security.

“History teaches us that one of the most effective ways to pull people and nations out of poverty is to invest in agriculture,” he said.

The Yallahs Agro-Park, he said, demonstrates the progress that is being made towards realising the important goals of not only food security but a reduction in the country’s import bill

as well as an increase in export production through improved competitiveness.

Member of Parliament for West St Thomas James Robertson said the parish is very appreciative of the agro-parks and grateful to the IDB for its support.

“I remember when they came to witness the funding of this project. We really appreciate it because it is going to make a difference. From the hills to the sea, the Yallahs Valley says thank you to all who have been involved,” Robertson said.

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Irrigation system installed at Yallahs Agro-Park

Three high schools to end shift system

STUDENTS attending three of the nation’s high schools will no longer have to contend with the shift system, as the institutions will be removed from that fixture during the new school year.

The schools are Holy Trinity High, in Kingston, Glengoffe High, St Catherine, and Anchovy High in St James.Education minister Ronald Thwaites made the disclosure during a back-to-school press conference held at the Office of the Prime Minister in St Andrew on Friday.Thwaites said that over time, more schools will be removed from the system used by institutions to accommodate the large number of students.In the meantime, the education minister said that expansion works at the Holy Trinity High School will be completed during the first term of the school year.For Glengoffe High School, Thwaites said that a new classroom block has been added, which will facilitate its removal from the shift system. He thanked the Government of Japan for funding the project.The minister also said that the Montpelier Complex in St James will be renovated to facilitate the expansion of Anchovy High School in January 2014.Turning to other school plants which are being upgraded, Thwaites said that the Cedar Grove High School in St Catherine will open in September, starting with 100 grade seven students.“A portion of the building has been finished for us to start. When the plant is completed in November, it will have a capacity of 1,200 students and will include a sixth form, which is very much needed in the Portmore vicinity,” he said.Thwaites said that the Belair High School in Manchester is now a grant-aided school and will, in September, accommodate an additional 105 students at grade six, and an expanded sixth form.The minister also noted that repairs and expansion at the Garvey Maceo High School in Clarendon was completed and will be ready for occupancy at the start of the new school year.In the meantime, he said that 63 basic schools will be absorbed into 50 infant departments in primary schools, with others to follow later during the school year.Thwaites also noted that the ministry is on track to convert 66 pit latrines to water closets by December 2013.The 2013/14 academic school year is slated to begin on September 2.THWAITES… more schools to be removed from shift system

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Three high schools to end shift system

Texas prison system running out of execution drug

News

Thursday, August 01, 2013 | 11:00 AM

HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) — The nation’s most active death penalty state is running out of its execution drug.The Texas Department of Criminal Justice says its remaining supply of pentobarbital expires in September. Department spokesman Jason Clark says officials are exploring all options but have yet to find an alternative.Texas has lethally injected 11 death-row inmates so far this year, most recently yesterday Wednesday July 31. Two executions are scheduled in September and at least five others are set for following months.It wasn’t immediately clear if the September executions may be delayed.Other death penalty states have encountered similar problems as drug manufacturers have balked at using their products for capital punishment.Texas has executed 503 inmates since 1976, when the Supreme Court allowed executions to resume. Virginia is second at 110.

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Texas prison system running out of execution drug

Texas prison system running out of execution drug

Latest News

Thursday, August 01, 2013 | 11:00 AM

HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) — The nation’s most active death penalty state is running out of its execution drug.The Texas Department of Criminal Justice says its remaining supply of pentobarbital expires in September. Department spokesman Jason Clark says officials are exploring all options but have yet to find an alternative.Texas has lethally injected 11 death-row inmates so far this year, most recently yesterday Wednesday July 31. Two executions are scheduled in September and at least five others are set for following months.It wasn’t immediately clear if the September executions may be delayed.Other death penalty states have encountered similar problems as drug manufacturers have balked at using their products for capital punishment.Texas has executed 503 inmates since 1976, when the Supreme Court allowed executions to resume. Virginia is second at 110.Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserverFollow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserver

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Texas prison system running out of execution drug

Teacher training system "is broken"

30 July 2013 Last updated at 06:13 ET By Hannah Richardson BBC News education reporter The government wants to make teacher training less theoretical The system of planning teacher training in England has broken down and risks a future shortage of teachers, a university think tank says.

The Department for Education has switched about 9,000 teacher training places from universities to schools under its School Direct programme.

But Million+ predicts, with only 45% of places on it filled, there will be 3,000 fewer teachers trained by 2014.

The government said heads were choosing “only the brightest graduates”.

A spokeswoman for the Department for Education said the programme was “a response to what schools told us they wanted, a greater role in selecting and recruiting trainees with potential to be outstanding teachers”.

The spokeswoman said the programme was proving “extremely popular”. By May some 22,500 people had applied for half as many places.

She added head teachers had rightly been choosey, only accepting graduates with the highest skills.

The Commons Education Select Committee is conducting an inquiry into teacher training and has just published evidence submitted to it.

In her evidence to the committee, Pam Tatlow, chief executive of Million+ – a think tank that also represents newer universities – said School Direct, , which is focused around on-the-job, school-based training, had been introduced “without any robust assessment of its impact on teacher supply”.

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Universities which have been at the heart of high quality teacher training are being side-lined ”

End Quote Pam Tatlow Million+ “Ministers say that schools should lead the commissioning of teacher training, but it is clear that this will not guarantee the number of trained teachers that will be needed by schools across the country in the future.

“Universities that have run very successful programmes to enhance the expertise of prospective teachers in key specialist shortage subjects are not being allocated numbers.”

She added: “The combined impact of the new Ofsted regime under which fewer schools are being classed as outstanding, new rules which debar universities rated as good teacher training providers from having any guarantee of training numbers and the transfer of places to schools which are clearly finding it difficult to recruit suitable applicants has created a triple whammy.

‘Well-regarded’

“As a result the national system for planning and delivering an adequate number of qualified and trained teachers has broken down.”

Ms Tatlow added: “Universities which have been at the heart of high quality teacher training are being side-lined and expected to take all the risks with no guarantee of training numbers. This is clearly untenable.

“MPs should be very concerned that well-regarded higher education providers will pull the plug on teacher training altogether because of the uncertainty that has been created.”

She said: “Rather than expand the programme, School Direct numbers should be reduced in 2014-15 and a national strategy agreed to bring some stability and common-sense back into the system.”

Kevin Brennan, Labour’s shadow school’s minister, said the government’s “failure and incompetence means there is now a crisis in teacher recruitment”.

“We have already seen 6,000 teachers quit the profession on [Prime Minister David Cameron"s] watch, now it looks like there will be a shortfall of 3,000 teacher trainees on top of that.

“This is a real risk to standards, and parents will be worried.

“David Cameron is damaging standards by allowing unqualified teachers into our classrooms.

“This is not the answer to the recruitment crisis he has created. Pupils deserve better.”

The Million + study comes after analysis by leading teacher recruitment expert Prof John Howson, of Oxford Brookes University, revealed that by early July schools had accepted only 5,000 trainees on the scheme.

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Teacher training system "is broken"