Lead Stories

Healthcare providers take notes during the Western Regional Health Authority’s Family Health Review at the Burchell Baptist Church Hall in Montego Bay on August 20.
August 21, 2026 by Albert Ferguson

Nutrition counselling giving pregnant women better shot at beating anaemia

WESTERN BUREAU: Nadine Simmonds-Lewis, the regional nutritionist at the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA), said a review by the entity has found that pregnant women who received nutrition…
Principal of Maud McLeod Beverley Feare hands out a care package to one of her students after Hurricane Melissa.
August 20, 2026 by Janet Silvera

Battered schools, resilient results - Storm-hit western institutions make major gains in CSEC, CAPE

WESTERN BUREAU: Before Beverley Feare could prepare her students for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, she first had to find them. Hurricane Melissa had torn through…
Dr Dana Morris-Dixon, minister of education, skills, youth and information, addresses the delegates at the third and final day of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association’s 62nd annual conference at the Ocean Coral Spring Hotel in Trelawny yesterday.
August 20, 2026 by Christopher Thomas

‘Students must follow the rules’ - Education minister says schools’ grooming policies must be made clear to parents

WESTERN BUREAU: Ahead of the start of the September school term, Education Minister Dr Dana Morris Dixon is urging school administrators to ensure that students obey stipulated dress and grooming…
La Sonja Harrison, the newly installed president of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association, addresses the delegates at the third and final day of the association’s 62nd annual conference at the Ocean Coral Spring Hotel in Trelawny on Wednesday, August 19. H
August 20, 2026 by Albert Ferguson

‘I cannot change who I am’ - JTA boss vows to disrupt education status quo

WESTERN BUREAU: Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) President La Sonja Harrison says she cannot change, declaring that she will continue to challenge the status quo and ask uncomfortable questions on…
Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon.
August 20, 2026

Education minister dismisses call to remove ‘political influence’ from school boards

WESTERN BUREAU: Education Minister Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon has dismissed concerns that there is a need to remove what some have labelled ‘political influence’ from school boards. According to…
News
August 20, 2026 by Albert Ferguson

JTA holds fire on JTC bill

WESTERN BUREAU: Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) President La Sonja Harrison says the association is waiting patiently to see the revised Jamaica Teaching Council (JTC) Bill before they are…
From left: Dr Dana Morris-Dixon, minister of education, skills, youth and information; Kasan Troupe, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education, and Rhoda Moy Crawford, minister of state in the Ministry of Education, on the panel at the third and fin
August 20, 2026 by Christopher Thomas

Report substandard post-Melissa repair work at schools, says education minister

WESTERN BUREAU: Education Minister Dr Dana Morris Dixon is urging teachers who observe substandard work, or little to no work at all, being done at their schools, which are undergoing repairs…
Christopher Zacca, president and CEO of Sagicor Group Jamaica and chairman of Sagicor Foundation, speaks with JTA/Sagicor National Athletics Championships, Jahmar Amos, 2026 Champion Boy and Travaneek Breakenridge, 2026 Championship Girl at the Sagicor Fou
August 20, 2026

Backing big dreams

As he enters his second year of law school at The University of the West Indies, Mona, 20-year-old Jaleel Smith is feeling more at ease after being awarded a scholarship that covers more than 50 per…
August 19, 2026 by Christopher Thomas

Teachers balk - JTA rejects pay package over benefits concern

WESTERN BUREAU: Unresolved issues surrounding their uniform allowance and a graduate policy for educators pursuing further studies were among the main concerns raised by delegates on Tuesday as the…