Headline

The education ministry says it hopes to make the outstanding tuition payments to teachers under the 2008/2010 heads of agreement before the end of this year.

Education minister Reverend Ronald Thwaites says the education and finance ministries  are  working out an agreement to find the additional funds  as the ministry only has a quarter of the funds needed for the payments.

The minister announced during his sectoral debate presentation that despite the wage restraint this tuition refund would be paid over to teachers.

Education Minister Reverend Ronald Thwaites says due to financial constraints for this year, teachers will be subjected to new requirements for study leave as well as the mandatory retirement of teachers who have reached the age.

Speaking in the Sectoral Debate the education minister points to the negative effects on schools when teachers are not available, saying there will be a revision of the requirements for teachers to be able to take leave.

The two men who were arrested during yesterday's operation in sections of St James were charged this afternoon.
One of the two is 49-year-old sale representative, Allister Chase, a Canadian National residing at Mountain View Avenue, Westgate Hills.

He is charged with possession of, dealing in and taking steps to export hash oil.  

A police constable remains in custody as cops probe the death of his common-law-wife.

Dead is 38-year-old Janice Burrell of Islington in St Mary.

The police officer is the father of the youngest child for Ms Burrell.

Reports are that about 7:30 p.m., neighbours heard two explosions, followed by loud screams and went to investigate.

It was discovered that Ms Burrell had been shot.

A neighbour told Irie FM News, that after the shooting, the cop remained inside the house until other police came and one went in to talk to him.

Police have identified the woman who was shot and killed in the Falmouth cemetery in Trelawny this morning.

She is 42-year-old Doreen Mcliesh also called ‘Charm’ of Race Course, Falmouth Trelawny.

Reports are that about 6:30 this morning Mcliesh was on her way to work when she was shot and killed by unknown assailants, as she was walking through the cemetery.

The police who were summoned discovered the bullet-riddled body in a pool of blood.

No motive has been established for the killing.

One of three men charged in relation to a recent robbery of jewellery from the Swiss store in Kingston was granted bail when he appeared in the Gun Court today.

Justice Carol Edwards offered Kayon “Treasure” Campbell bail in the sum of $500,000 with one or two sureties.

Campbell is charged jointly with 40-year-old businessman Donald Ho and Norman Robertson.

In court today, attorney-at-law Hensley Williams, who represents Campbell, in making bail application said there is no independent allegation against his client.

The government says the commission of enquiry into the security forces operation in West Kingston in May 2010 will be held soon.

This was announced by Information Minister Senator Sandrea Falconer at the Jamaica House Press briefing this morning.

Senator Falconer however said she could not give an exact date for the start of the enquiry.

She says a team from the cabinet is now working on the terms of reference of the enquiry.

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The Steerfield Basic School in Steerfield District near Golden Grove in St Ann was officially opened today.

It is the first basic school in St Ann to benefit from the Food for the Poor Jamaica 50 campaign initiative.

The Jamaica 50 Campaign which was launched in June of last year, seeks to upgrade or build 50 basic schools island wide.

For some 12 years, the Steerfield community centre housed the children of that community.

The Government has responded to criticisms from the opposition that the Logistics Hub initiative is a ‘Pipe Dream.’

During the budget debate, the Prime Minister declared the Logistics Hub would not only bring in more than US$9 billion but tens of thousands of jobs for Jamaicans.