News from the OPM

Theme: “Every School Moving: Move Your Way, Every Day” Jamaica will commemorate National School Moves Day on Friday, April 24, 2026, with a renewed national focus on increasing physical activity among students and fostering healthier school environments. The observance, under the theme “Every School Moving: Move Your Way, Every Day,” supports the Jamaica Moves in Schools Programme and aims to increase awareness, encourage regular physical activity breaks, and integrate movement into school calendars. This important initiative is being led by the Ministry of Health and Wellness in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information. The 2026 observance adopts a school-led model, empowering schools across all parishes to plan and execute activities that reflect their unique context while ensuring broad, inclusive participation. Call to Order All early childhood, primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions are strongly encouraged to participate by dedicating a minimum of 60 minutes during the school day to structured physical activity. Schools are urged to engage students, teachers, and parents in creative, inclusive activities that promote movement and teamwork. What to Expect National School Moves Day 2026 will feature: School-led physical activity sessions tailored to each institution; A National Planning Guide to support easy implementation; Parish-level…

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) is reminding the public that, under the Government of Jamaica’s ROOFS Programme, only one grant is permitted per household. Individuals who have already benefited from a housing-related grant through any Government initiative including, but not limited to, the National Housing Trust (NHT), TransJamaican Highway, Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), or Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), are not eligible to receive assistance under the ROOFS Programme. The Ministry advises that all applications are subject to rigorous cross-checking across Government databases to ensure transparency, accountability, and the equitable distribution of benefits. This process is designed to prevent duplication and ensure that resources reach those most in need. Accordingly, persons who have previously received any Government-issued housing grant, regardless of the amount, will not qualify for assistance under the ROOFS Programme. Reminder: The required document when collecting grants is a valid Government-issued ID (e.g., passport, driver’s licence, or voter’s ID). For assistance, please contact the Ministry: Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: 876-582-8972 or 876-849-8614 Client Care: 876-922-8000-13 The Ministry remains committed to the fair, transparent, and efficient delivery of assistance to the most vulnerable households.

The Office of the Prime Minister yesterday hosted the official launch of the UNESCO Jamaica Artificial Intelligence Readiness Assessment Report, marking a landmark milestone in Jamaica's pursuit of ethical, inclusive, and innovation-driven artificial intelligence governance. Delivering the opening remarks today, Dr. the Honourable Andrew Wheatley, Minister without Portfolio with Responsibility for Science, Technology and Special Projects, stated that Jamaica is among the first Caribbean countries to complete a national AI readiness assessment using UNESCO's globally recognized Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM). “In a region still finding its footing in the governance of emerging technologies, Jamaica chose not to wait and see. We chose to lead. That decision is deliberate, disciplined, and forward-looking and is a direct reflection of how seriously this Government takes the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence,” Minister Wheatley said. The Minister outlined Jamaica’s deliberate and structured approach to artificial intelligence development, beginning with the establishment of the National Artificial Intelligence Task Force in August 2023, followed by the delivery of National AI Policy Recommendations in September 2024, and culminating in the completion of the UNESCO Readiness Assessment. He described this progression as a step-by-step effort to build a coherent, ethical, and people-centered national AI agenda. The launch event…

The Government of Jamaica has secured a US$50 million investment from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to advance climate-resilient agriculture, with targeted support for vulnerable farmers and a strengthened national approach to food security. The initiative, ADAPT Jamaica: Enhancing Climate Change Resilience of Vulnerable Smallholders in Central Jamaica, is a joint government effort involving the Ministry of Water, Environment and Climate Change and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Mining. The programme will be implemented with key technical support from the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ), and international partners, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Speaking on Monday (March 30) at a Special Press Briefing, Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Honourable Matthew Samuda, emphasized Jamaica’s proactive approach to climate financing and resilience-building. “Ultimately every element of the triple planetary crisis is on full display in Jamaica. The UN Environment Programme lists the triple planetary crisis as pollution, the loss of biodiversity, and climate change, and one could say that Jamaica is on the front lines of each of these challenges. Jamaica, however, does not sit by as a victim that is helpless,” he said. Minister Samuda highlighted…

In a significant milestone marking the 60th anniversary of the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme (SAWP), the Ministry of Labour and Social Security has officially launched a $9 million scholarship programme that will benefit 60 children of Jamaican farm workers under the theme “Unlocking Potential, Expanding Opportunities.” The initiative forms a key part of the anniversary celebrations, underscoring the Government’s continued commitment to recognizing the invaluable contributions of farm workers while investing in the future of their families. The launch was moderated by Mrs. Dione Jennings, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, who highlighted that "This Government of Jamaica, through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security scholarship, is fertile soil for farm workers' children. It will nourish their growth, help to cultivate their potential, and yield a bountiful harvest of opportunities, sowing seeds for a brighter future for generations to come." The Honourable Pearnel Charles Jr., Minister of Labour and Social Security, remarked, “This initiative is about honouring the sacrifices and contributions of our farm workers by creating opportunities for their children to succeed. As we celebrate 60 years of the SAWP, we are also looking ahead, ensuring that the legacy of hard work and…

Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to affordable housing while providing context to the decision to utilize $11.4 billion from the National Housing Trust (NHT) to strengthen Jamaica’s economic position. Addressing public commentary surrounding the matter, Prime Minister Holness underscored that any decision to access NHT resources must be grounded in national interest and economic responsibility. “The Government is not utilizing resources from the NHT for purposes that are not of national importance. We acknowledge that these funds are contributed for housing, and we acknowledge that this cannot continue indefinitely. The government has to use these resources to strengthen our economic base so that we don't have to take the resources out of the NHT,” the Prime Minister said. Prime Minister Holness noted that the use of NHT resources for broader national priorities has historical precedent. He referenced the mid-1990s national education reform initiative under former Prime Minister P. J. Patterson, which was supported through NHT funding to advance critical transformation in the education sector. At that time, he said, the decision was viewed as defensible in the context of national development. He further pointed out that in or around 2013, significant sums…

Dr. the Honourable Andrew Wheatley, Minister Without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Science, Technology, and Special Projects, convened the first meeting of the reconstituted National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Task Force on February 19, 2026, following a Cabinet decision to accelerate Jamaica’s national AI programme. Minister Wheatley noted that the Task Force is intentionally designed as a multi-stakeholder national team with 23 members drawn from the public sector, academic institutions, civil society, and the private sector, bringing technical and policy expertise in AI and related areas. In welcoming members, Minister Wheatley underscored that AI must be viewed as “core national infrastructure” and must be governed in a way that accelerates productivity and innovation while protecting Jamaicans’ rights and maintaining public trust. The Minister reaffirmed the Government’s intent to build directly on the Task Force’s prior work, particularly the National AI Policy Recommendations and the UNESCO AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM), completed in 2025. The Task Force is chaired by Mr. Christopher Reckord and includes senior technical and policy leaders, including Mr. Trevor Forrest, Senior Advisor to Minister Wheatley; Cordel Green, Executive Director of the Broadcast Commission; Professor Sean Thorpe, Dean in the Faculty of Engineering…

After careful review and internal consultations, it was agreed that the Prime Minister should conform to the established emoluments and remuneration for the office. As explained by the Prime Minister when he declined to accept the adjusted compensation in May 2023, “another Prime Minister in the future or a new mandate may give an opportunity to reconsider the Prime Minister’s salary." In respect of this, the decision was taken last year after the new administration was in place; however, its implementation was delayed because of Hurricane Melissa. The Parliament has been advised to effect this change as of September 2025, and consequent adjustments should follow for former Prime Ministers and their surviving spouses.

Dr. the Honourable Andrew Wheatley, Minister without Portfolio with responsibility for Science, Technology and Special Projects in the Office of the Prime Minister, says Jamaica is moving to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy, accelerate public service delivery, and strengthen resilience in the digital age. Speaking at a forum at the University of the West Indies, Minister Wheatley emphasized that reform is about improving systems, not weakening safeguards.  the Minister stated: “Some bureaucracy is necessary, it protects fairness, safety, standards, and accountability. But bad bureaucracy is duplication, opacity, delay, and inconsistency. AI gives us a real opportunity to keep what protects the public and remove what wastes time.” The Minister noted that AI can help cut delays by reducing routine workload and shrinking backlogs, while improving the citizen experience through clearer guidance and better service tracking. He also highlighted AI’s role in reducing duplication across agencies, so citizens and businesses are not forced to repeatedly submit the same information. Minister Wheatley stressed that efficiency must be matched with safeguards and public trust. “AI must never become automated unfairness. “If AI touches public decisions, it must be secure, accountable, and paired with human oversight,” said Minister Wheatley. He also referenced…