ONE-MINUTE READS ... News from across Jamaica

Jamaicans urged to become foster parents

Placement coordinator at the Child Protection and Family Services Agency, Taneka Cassanova-Durrant, is appealing to more Jamaicans to open their homes and hearts to children in state care by becoming foster parents.

The appeal comes as the agency prepares to mark National Foster Care Week from February 12 to 18 under the theme 'Building Resilience through Empowerment'.

Currently, there are 4,491 children in state care, 1,247 of which are a part of the foster care programme.

"I just want to encourage persons to foster a child if you are able to do so, because your intervention can mean a world of difference and can change the life of a child in a positive way. Help us to provide that nurturing home environment that our children are so deserving of," Cassanova-Durrant said.

Cassanova-Durrant said that to become a foster parent in Jamaica, one must be an adult between the ages of 25 to 65 years old, and in good legal and moral standing.

-----------

Garvey to be honoured with murals in Kingston

The Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporationwill be honouring the legacy and memory of National Hero Marcus Mosiah Garvey through the commissioning of two murals across the municipality.

Mayor of Kingston, Senator Delroy Williams, said it would be remiss of the municipality not to have a mural worthy of representing and showcasing the legacy of Garvey.

The municipality is also considering an award to be named in honour of Garvey, to be presented annually by the city to persons who have made contributions to national development, environmental protection, journalism, and the protection of vulnerable groups.

This award, according to the mayor, will be exclusively for Jamaicans or Jamaican businesses and would be limited to one per year.

-------------

Driving instructors require certification

Driving instructors have been given time to meet certification requirements under the new rules governing the use of the nation's roads.

As provided under the Road Traffic Act and Regulations, driving instructors and driving schools are required to be certified and licensed by the Island Traffic Authority (ITA).

Transport Minister Audley Shaw said that the effective date for the requirement is proposed to be January 1, 2024.

Before applying to be certified as a driving instructor, the person must be at least 24 years of age, must have held and used the class of driver's licence for which certification is being sought for a period of not less than 24 months, and successfully complete a driving instructor training programme approved by the ITA.

The application made to the ITA should include a police record; character references from any two of these persons - a justice of the peace, a minister of religion, an officer of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, or an attorney-at-law; a medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner indicating the health (including the mental health) of the applicant; and the fee specified.