KEEPING YOU IN THE KNOW ...
Information Minister Senator Ruel Reid – Post-Cabinet report for October 17, 2018
ADVISORY
Please see below the activities of Cabinet since the last briefing.
Decisions from Cabinet:
1. THE CABINET HAS APPROVED THE FOLLOWING ANNUAL REPORTS / FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR TABLING IN PARLIAMENT
University of Technology 2015-16 & 2016-17
Jamaica Bauxite Mining Ltd 2016-17
Jamaica Cultural Development Commission 2013-14
Devon House Ltd 2017-18
Jamaica Tourist Board 2016-17
Tourism Enhancement Fund 2017-18
NATIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
2. JAMAICA’S PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAMME FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ASSESSMENT (PISA)
Cabinet gave approval for Jamaica to participate in the PISA to be undertaken by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information in 2021. Government will spend some $116,827,224.00 over four years to undertake the review. This decision was taken against the background of the following factors:
In 2004, a task force was established to comprehensively review and evaluate Jamaica’s education system. Since then, however, there has been no further comprehensive review of the education system.
PISA is a triennial survey designed to evaluate and benchmark education systems through the assessment of science and reading skills. It focuses on the ability of students to apply unfamiliar contexts and facilitates the gathering of information pertaining to the education system that ultimately assists in enriching data analysis.
PISA’s reach, globally, has steadily increased from 42 to 80 countries.
It would facilitate the evaluation and ranking of the Jamaican education system with other countries; Trinidad and Tobago is the only other state in the English-speaking Caribbean currently participating in PISA.
3. NEW AIR SERVICES AGREEMENT
Cabinet has given approval for the signing of new air services agreements with the governments of Slovenia, the Kingdom of Morocco, The Bahamas and South Africa.
Cabinet took special note of the outcome of the International Civil Aviation Organization Air Services Agreement which, since 2008, had provided states with an avenue to conduct air services negotiations or consultations. This is important in negotiating direct flights to Jamaica. Cabinet noted that Jamaica had participated in 16 air services agreements negotiation sessions since 2008.
4. DIVESTMENT OF LOTS 28 & 29 OF BOGUE INDUSTRIAL ESTATES, MONTEGO BAY, ST JAMES
Cabinet has approved the divestment of lots 28 & 29 of lands situated at Bogue Industrial Estate, registered at Volume 1452 Folio 518 to the St James Municipal Corporation to Keith P. Jackson in the sum of $77,760,000.
5. COMPULSORY ACQUISITION OF LANDS
Cabinet has approved the compulsory acquisition of three parcels of land in accordance with the Land Acquisition Act of 1947, as follows:
Bigwell Lane in Hanover, so that a required sewerage system could be constructed for the residents/occupants.
Enables the Ministry of Economic Growth & Job Creation to provide security of tenure for the occupants at Browns Land (Portmore Lane) in St Catherine; and
Part of 10 1/2 Whitehall Avenue in St Andrew.
6. AWARD OF CONTRACTS
Cabinet has approved the awarding of the following contracts:
I) ESTABLISHMENT OF A PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT OFFICE FOR THE CORNWALL REGIONAL HOSPITAL
Cabinet has approved the award of a contract in the sum of $146,780,000 to APEC Consultants Ltd for the establishment of a programme management office for the Cornwall Regional Hospital Rehabilitation Project for a period of two years.
II) WELL DRILLING IN THE ESSEX VALLEY PROJECT PHASE 1
Cabinet also gave approval for the award of a contract in the amount of $308,916,333.58 to Jamaica Wells and Services Ltd under the Essex Valley Agricultural Development Project.
III) PROCUREMENT OF WORKS FOR GREENWICH TOWN INTEGRATED INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT, ST ANDREW
Cabinet approved the award of a contract through the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) for the undertaking of rehabilitation works in keeping with the Greenwich Town Integrated Infrastructure project in the sum of $169,964,188.70 to Stone Plus Ltd.
IV) PROCUREMENT OF WORKS FOR THE DENHAM TOWN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT
Cabinet approved the award of a contract in the sum of $186,304,628.10 to Contraxx Enterprises Ltd to carry out rehabilitation work under the Denham Town Integrated Infrastructure Project in Kingston.
V) PROCUREMENT OF WORKS
FOR THE RETIREMENT INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT
Cabinet gave approval for the award of a contract in the sum of $147,861,700 to Stone Plus Ltd for undertaking rehabilitation works under the Retirement Integrated Infrastructure Project in St James.
VI) MECHANICAL ELECTRICAL PLUMBING AND EXTERNAL WORKS AT PORTMORE BPO COMPLEX
Cabinet approved the award of a contract in the sum of $949,218,375.02 to ZDA Construction Ltd. This is to undertake mechanical, electrical, plumbing and external works at the Portmore Business Process Outsourcing Complex at the Portmore Informatics Park in the municipality of Portmore in St Catherine.
VII) PROVISION OF EXTERNAL AUDITING SERVICES FOR THE UDC
Cabinet approved the award of a threeyear contract for the provision of audit services for the UDC, covering fiscal years ending March 31, 2018; March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2020, to KPMG in the sum of $75,087,825.
VIII) HORIZON PARK WASTEWATER PLAN REHABILITATION & UPGRADE
Cabinet gave approval for the award of contract in the sum of US$2,010,400 to Florida Aquastore & Utility Construction Inc. This is to undertake rehabilitation upgrade and expansion of the National Water Commission’s existing Horizon Park Waste Treatment Plant in St Catherine.
IX) SUPPLY & DELIVERY OF TABLETS, CARTS & SERVICES
Cabinet approved the award of contracts totalling US$30,471,615 as follows:
i) GeoTech Vision Ltd (Lots 1 & 2) in the amount of US$16, 359,735 and
ii) Innovative Corporate Solutions Ltd (Lots 3 & 4) in the amount of US$14,111,880.
This is for the supply and delivery of tablets, carts and services under the Tablets in Schools Project roll-out.
Contact:
Senator Ruel Reid Minister of Information ruel.reid@moey.gov.jm or Colin Steer colin.steer@moey.gov.jm
STATEMENT RE: MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, YOUTH AND INFORMATION MATTERS
Gov’t provides full subsidy for exam fees of secondary level PATH students.
The Government of Jamaica will be providing examination subsidies for secondary-level students sitting exit examinations in 2019. The following subject areas are covered: mathematics, English language, a science subject, information technology or EDPM, and a marketable skill area in NVQ-J, CVQ, and City and Guilds examinations.
In addition, full subsidy payments will also be made for up to eight subjects for students on PATH and wards of the State who are eligible to receive the support. Full subsidy means the Government will cover the cost of all fees associated with the examination, which includes entry fees, subject fees, practical fees, fees for orals, and all other fees related to the subject. Examination coordinators are allowed to modify the subsidy document to include the additional subjects for these students.
At the same time, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information is reminding school administrators that students registering to sit various exit-level examinations for the 2018-2019 academic year should do so in keeping with their career pathways, interests and abilities.
The ministry is also reminding that students entering the fourth form should all be settled into a course of study for the following two years, and those exiting the secondary level should have met the minimum standard of a National School Leaving Certificate with the minimum subjects attained in either CSEC, City and Guilds, NVQ-J or CVQ being mathematics, English language and a marketable TVET skill. Students may complete up to eight subjects but should be encouraged to exit the secondary level with at least five subjects, which should include mathematics, English and a marketable TVET subject.
With the introduction of a guaranteed seven-year (grades 7-13) programme of study whereby students can access education through structured and regulated learning, more students will be remaining in school up to grades 12-13 and, hence, will require additional support for examination subsidy at that level.
The education ministry will also provide a subsidy for three units in the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) each year, which includes the compulsory subject and two others. Full subsidy will be provided for the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ), National Vocational Qualification of Jamaica (NVQ-J) and two subjects in City and Guilds.
PEP WEBSITE
The ministry is also pleased to advise that the special website created for the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) is up and running. The URL is www.moey.gov.jm/pep .
We encourage our parents, teachers and students to visit the site and make use of the available resources.