AGP Executive Report

Education Repairs: Jamaica’s Ministry of Education says 57 of 309 severely damaged schools from Hurricane Melissa are fully repaired, with 95 more due by end of October and 34 by December, while officials explore hiring external contractors to speed up grade-one capacity. Road Safety & Deadlines: Work on the Montego Bay Perimeter Road is paused after engineer Clifton James was crushed on Sept 3; Works Minister Robert Morgan says the public will be told whether the end-of-September deadline holds, as CHEC reviews safety procedures. AI in Schools: Chief Justice Bryan Sykes urged Wolmer’s Boys students to use AI to widen access and boost efficiency, but to keep judgement, fairness, and accountability human. STEM Teacher Training: The Scientific Research Council is seeking partners to expand its Summer Attachment Programme for STEM teacher training, citing growth from 17 teachers (2023) to 240 (2026). Digital & Climate Funding: CABRIC climate resilience grants (supported by the Green Climate Fund) are open in the Caribbean, with Jamaica among participating countries and grant sizes up to US$500,000. Justice & Prisons: The Attorney General’s Chambers calls for urgent fixes to prison conditions and oversight to cut costly lawsuits and protect dignity. Local Heritage Clash: Channel One studio demolition in Kingston is disputed, with municipal authorities saying the action was uncertified and a stop order issued.

STEM Teacher Boost: Jamaica’s Scientific Research Council is seeking new partners to expand its Summer Attachment Programme for teachers, with demand rising from 17 educators (2023) to 240 (2026) and capacity currently capping tours at 30. Climate Funding for Resilience: The CABRIC Programme will offer climate resilience grants in the Caribbean, with Jamaica among five countries getting an estimated US$5M and grants ranging from US$150k to US$500k. Healthcare Investment Push: Prime Minister Andrew Holness stressed that Jamaica must keep investing in both health infrastructure and health professionals, pointing to decades of underinvestment behind today’s service and waiting-time complaints. Tourism Goes Digital: Tourism Awareness Week will spotlight how AI and digital tech can “redesign tourism,” with speaker sessions and an AI youth forum planned. Tech in Agriculture: HMH Farms is testing OVIFLOCK, a Jamaican-built digital platform to help poultry farmers manage production and finances with more structured data. Education After Storms: Sandals Foundation’s $214M Hurricane Melissa school restoration includes rebuilds plus solar and water upgrades for the 2026/27 term. Local Tech & Media: Kingston’s Channel One recording studio was demolished without approval, prompting municipal investigations.

AI & Privacy: Meta rolled out Muse, a personal AI agent for adults in the US that can help with tasks like planning, shopping and booking, with the company stressing safety and privacy controls. Online Safety Regulation: Australia proposed laws that let users opt out of “personalised” social media algorithms and add stronger protections for children and harmful content. Regional Tech Business: PBS Group completed its takeover of Trinidad Systems Limited, taking full control while keeping TSL’s brand and support arrangements intact. Disaster-Ready Schools: Sandals Foundation’s $214-million Hurricane Melissa school restoration added structural rebuilds, solar power and water security upgrades across western and northern parishes. STEM Push: Jamaica’s Scientific Research Council urged wider STEM exposure as the new school year starts, while UNESCO launched WINGS Caribbean to fund women researchers with $10,000 fellowships. Education Infrastructure: NET is using green-building standards and temporary classrooms to keep hurricane-damaged schools operating, and the education ministry says repairs must follow official protocols. Local Tech Community: Jamaica’s game development scene is growing, with the Jamaica Game Developer Society highlighting culture-led projects reaching global platforms. Accountability & Governance: Jamaica’s reconstruction watchdog JAMRROC was launched as leaders push for faster recovery without losing procurement scrutiny. Heritage Under Review: Kingston’s iconic Channel One studio was demolished without approval, triggering municipal investigations.

STEM Push in Schools: Jamaica’s Scientific Research Council is urging educators to expand STEM learning across all career paths, saying the skills build critical thinking and problem-solving. Education Resilience After Hurricane Melissa: The Ministry of Education says 688 schools were damaged (313 severely) and $26B is being spent on repairs, with reopening supported by contingency plans, temporary classrooms at Maggotty High, and NET’s resilience upgrades using green-building tech. Inclusive Learning & Staffing Pressure: Opposition spokesperson Denise Daley calls for urgent staffing assessment at the Salvation Army School for the Blind after reports it’s turning away students. Jamaica’s First At-Home Prostate Kit: Windsor Wellness and Biovanta Labs launch an at-home PSA screening kit to reduce barriers to testing. Nuclear Research Upgrade: UWI ICENS commissions a gamma irradiator to support work like Sterile Insect Technique for mosquito control and broader research. Reparations Move: Jamaica formally asks King Charles to seek legal advice on slavery reparations via the Privy Council, with CARICOM backing a wider 10-point plan. Caribbean Tech Community: A spotlight on Jamaican game developers shows growing culture-led releases and the role of the Jamaica Game Developer Society.

Education Resilience: Western Jamaica schools reopened as Hurricane Melissa repairs continue, with NET pushing “Build Back Better” standards like upgraded ventilation, electrical systems, and green-building tech, while temporary classrooms at Maggotty High ended a rotational model. Local School Fixes: Education Minister Dana Morris Dixon says schools must follow Ministry repair protocols and wait for engineering reports before work starts, amid ongoing Balcombe Drive Primary concerns. School Consolidation: Hydel and Cumberland High merged into Hydel Cumberland High in Portmore, expanding science options and introducing a traditional sixth form. Science & Health Tech: UWI’s ICENS gamma irradiator is opening new research uses, and Windsor Wellness with Biovanta Labs launched Jamaica’s first at-home prostate screening kit using a small blood sample for PSA testing. Digital & Public Safety Modernisation: Government is modernising justice and correctional systems with digital tech and infrastructure upgrades. Regional Science for Women: UNESCO launched WINGS Caribbean fellowships to boost mid- and advanced-career women in research and innovation. Reparations Push: Jamaica formally asked King Charles to seek legal advice on slavery reparations via the Privy Council, while tourism reported 2.34M visitors and US$2.5B revenue through August despite reduced room inventory.

UNESCO & Women in Science: UNESCO launched WINGS Caribbean to fund mid- and advanced-career women fellows across the English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean, with two streams and US$10,000 projects (up to 12 months). Health Tech in Jamaica: Windsor Wellness and Biovanta Labs rolled out Jamaica’s first at-home prostate screening kit, using a small blood sample for PSA testing without needles or lab visits. Research Infrastructure: UWI’s ICENS officially launched a gamma irradiator to support research like the Sterile Insect Technique for controlling Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Digital Access & Costs: Broadband Genie ranked the UK 46th globally for average mobile broadband data cost, highlighting how pricing varies by market. Justice Modernisation: Jamaica is investing in digital technology and security to modernise justice and correctional systems and reduce reoffending. Education After Hurricane Melissa: The reconstruction push is keeping schools on track, with major repairs and upgrades aimed at stronger, more resilient learning spaces. Reparations Push: Jamaica formally asked King Charles to seek legal advice on slavery reparations via the Privy Council, while campaigners criticised his Balmoral absence.

Education Tech & Health: Northern Caribbean University nursing students got a tech boost with laptop handovers, including a push to strengthen professional training and patient care. Youth Skills & Literacy: JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation summer programmes backed nearly 1,000 youths with literacy, leadership, financial literacy and digital learning tools. STEM in Schools: USF’s Connect A Child programme presented tablets to 630 PEP students, aiming to support secondary readiness. Tourism Innovation (AI included): The Tourism Enhancement Fund selected 15 entrepreneurs for Cohort Three of its Tourism Innovation Incubator, adding AI-powered prototype development as they build market-ready tourism products. Healthcare Support: I Have A Heart Foundation donated specialised equipment to UHWI’s Cardiothoracic Unit to expand minimally invasive cardiac procedures. Disaster Resilience: NaRRA says it will review Cabinet-referred reconstruction projects to plan sequencing and speed up Hurricane Melissa rebuilding. Environment & Climate: A new study finds mangrove forests are expanding faster than they’re declining, highlighting their role in biodiversity and storm buffering.

Public Safety: Police in Mandeville say a shootout near the New Green roundabout led to a firearms cache being seized, with a suspect injured and taken to hospital; residents report a woman and two children were removed unharmed. Education Tech & Access: USF’s Connect A Child programme handed tablets to 630 PEP students, while NCU nursing students received laptops through hospital and AdventHealth support—plus JPS Foundation and JWN Foundation continued major scholarship funding for engineering and STEM pathways. Special Needs Infrastructure: Digicel Foundation backed classroom upgrades at Mico’s CARE Centre and plans further expansion at the Port Maria Special Education Unit. Tourism Innovation (AI included): TEF selected 15 entrepreneurs for its Tourism Innovation Incubator, adding AI-powered prototype development to help local tech and services reach market. Policy & Resilience: NaRRA says it will review Cabinet-referred reconstruction projects to plan sequencing and speed up Hurricane Melissa rebuilding. Global Tech & Climate: South African civil groups urged a pause on new data centres over water and power concerns; separate reporting says mangrove forests are expanding faster than they’re shrinking.

Climate Finance Watch: Nepal is asking the UN Loss and Damage fund for flood recovery support after a disaster that killed 1,250, but the request is still vague and the system is new and untested. Disaster Response & Safety: A video-linked review in Jamaica points to serious ambulance inspection and procedure lapses after a multi-vehicle crash in Negril. Digital Infrastructure & Water Stress: South African civil groups want a pause on new data centres, citing unclear plans for scarce water, land, and power. Education Tech Boosts: USF’s Connect A Child programme delivered tablets to 630 PEP students, while JPS Foundation and JWN Foundation pushed major scholarship and laptop support for engineering, nursing, and STEM learners. Inclusive Learning Spaces: Digicel Foundation and partners upgraded Mico CARE classrooms with flexible, sensory-friendly designs and tech. Tourism Innovation: TEF selected 15 entrepreneurs for a Tourism Innovation Incubator, adding AI-powered prototype development for tourism-ready products. Local Industry Signals: Jamaica’s manufactured exports kept growing despite Hurricane Melissa damage and high energy costs.

Disaster Recovery Planning: NaRRA says it will review Cabinet-referred reconstruction projects over the next few months, focusing on sequencing and resilience planning after Hurricane Melissa. Tourism Innovation: TEF selected 15 entrepreneurs for Cohort Three of its Tourism Innovation Incubator, with a new AI-powered prototype track, and TEF is pushing participants to build wealth from tourism ideas. Special Education Upgrades: Digicel Foundation will renovate and expand the Port Maria Special Education Unit in St. Mary, moving it from container classrooms to proper facilities, while Mico CARE Centre received upgraded inclusive learning spaces. Education & Tech Access: The Ministry of Education will keep close oversight on rebuilding hurricane-damaged schools, and the Labour Ministry targets 400 more senior citizens for digital literacy training. STEM Pipeline: SRC’s Summer Attachment Programme trained 240 teachers to deliver more practical, student-centred STEM lessons. Health & Safety Signals: A new survey reports worsening student mental health, including higher suicidal thoughts and attempts, described as a distress signal. Business & Exports: JMEA says manufactured exports are still growing despite setbacks, and urges MSMEs to strengthen quality systems and market compliance. Cybersecurity Scholarship: NCB Foundation awarded a $600,000 scholarship to a student shifting into networking with cyber security. Leadership Appointments: JN Bank named Luwanna Williams managing director, effective Sept. 7.

Early Childhood Research: NYU’s Florencia Lopez Boo wins the Khalifa International Award for Early Learning, highlighting home-visiting interventions (including Jamaica) and tools that help countries monitor and improve early childhood care. Health Tech & Public Guidance: Major US medical groups push updated fall flu and COVID-19 shots, amid shifting guidance and court battles over vaccine recommendations. Inclusive Education Tech: Digicel Foundation and Phoenix Tower International’s WINGS Foundation upgrade Mico College CARE Centre classrooms with flexible layouts, sensory/therapy spaces, and learning tech for special needs and autism intervention. STEM Capacity Building: Jamaica’s Scientific Research Council trains 240 teachers through its SRC Summer Attachment Programme to deliver more practical, student-centred STEM lessons. AI Governance: Jamaica’s Andrew Wheatley calls for a unified CARICOM approach to AI regulation so the region can shape rules that protect citizens. Water & Climate Resilience: Water Minister Matthew Samuda warns parts of the Corporate Area could face days without supply if Mona Reservoir and Hermitage Dam keep dropping, with possible tighter restrictions. Infrastructure Safety: Investigations follow the death of an engineer run over on the Montego Bay Perimeter Road project, with contractors and agencies required to cooperate. Trade & Manufacturing: Jamaica’s manufactured exports keep growing even as total merchandise exports fall, with hurricane damage and energy costs still squeezing the sector. Digital Skills for Seniors: Labour Ministry targets 400 more seniors for digital literacy training by year end, expanding a programme already completed by 283 people. Export Readiness: JMEA urges MSMEs to strengthen internal quality systems and compliance documentation before entering international markets.

AI Governance: Minister Andrew Wheatley urged CARICOM to coordinate AI rules so the region can shape standards that protect citizens, speaking at the CPA Caribbean youth and AI discussions. STEM Education: The Scientific Research Council wrapped up a Summer Attachment Programme with 240 teachers trained to deliver more practical, student-centred STEM lessons. School Resilience: The Education Ministry says it will keep close oversight on rebuilding schools damaged by Hurricane Melissa, including resilience upgrades like rainwater harvesting and solar where possible. Digital Inclusion: Labour and Social Security targets 400 more seniors for digital literacy training, with 283 already completed. Export Readiness: JMEA pushed MSMEs to strengthen internal quality systems and document how products are made, not just chase certification logos. Workplace Safety: Jamaica ordered investigations after an engineer was crushed/run over at the Montego Bay Perimeter Road project, with contractors and agencies facing scrutiny. Water Security: Water and Climate Change Minister Matthew Samuda warned Corporate Area areas could face days without supply if Mona Reservoir and Hermitage Dam keep falling. Tourism & Tech: A Google ads ruling orders changes to its digital advertising system while sparing a breakup.

Workplace Safety: Jamaica’s Works Minister Robert Morgan has ordered a full investigation after engineer Clifton Archibald James was fatally crushed by a truck on the Montego Bay Perimeter Road project, with contractor China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) told to cooperate and facts to be established transparently. Water Security: Minister Matthew Samuda warns parts of the Corporate Area could face days without water if Mona Reservoir and Hermitage Dam levels keep falling, with tougher restrictions possible if they drop below critical thresholds. AI Governance: Dr. Andrew Wheatley is pushing for a unified CARICOM approach to AI governance, arguing the region must coordinate to shape rules that protect citizens. Education & Skills: Jamaican students posted strong City & Guilds results, with 81% certified in Stage 3 English Skills and 66% in Stage 3 Maths Skills. Tech for Learning: A roundup of education apps highlights tools for study organisation and STEM basics, including programming-style games and focus helpers. Health Research: Jamaica’s 2026 Global School-based Student Health Survey is being released to guide policy for adolescent well-being. Diaspora Services: Jamaica Post is spotlighting services like Klick ‘N’ Ship to help Jamaicans abroad shop US retailers and send items home. Climate Science: A new study says human-caused climate change is strengthening El Niños, raising the odds of more extreme weather.

AI Governance: Minister Andrew Wheatley is pushing CARICOM to coordinate AI rules so the region can shape standards while protecting citizens, speaking at the CPA Caribbean conference in Ocho Rios. Digital Parliaments: Nevis leaders are also weighing how to keep parliamentary decorum in the digital age, with youth parliamentarians set to discuss AI’s impact. Road Safety Tragedy: An engineer, Clifton James, was killed after being run over by a truck while working on the Montego Bay bypass; police are investigating. Adolescent Health Data: Health Minister Christopher Tufton urged Jamaica to use the 2026 Global School-based Student Health Survey to guide policy, after surveying 3,058 students nationwide. Emergency Services Funding: Queens’ EMS and firefighters received $568,000 for a new command vehicle and gear shed to improve response and reduce contamination exposure. Tourism Tech & Policy: Edmund Bartlett says Parliament must stay a trusted, fact-based institution online, and he’s backing safeguards for tourism workers’ housing and longer-term financing. Education Results: Jamaican students posted strong City & Guilds Stage 3 results—81% in English and 66% in Maths. Health Philanthropy: Supreme Ventures Foundation donated $2.1 million to Chain of Hope Jamaica to help cover paediatric heart surgery costs.

Parliament in the Digital Age: Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett told the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association conference that Jamaica’s Parliament must become a trusted, fact-based institution online, with resilient, accessible systems that keep democracy accountable. Digital continuity planning: Bartlett also floated a Parliamentary Resilience and Digital Continuity Centre so legislatures can keep functioning during pandemics, hurricanes and other crises. Education tech push: The Universal Service Fund Connect-a-Child programme delivered Samsung tablets to 630 Primary Exit Profile students, aiming to boost participation in a more digital society. Road traffic modernization: The Island Traffic Authority welcomed Lt. Col. Sheldon Bryan as new director-general, promising a digitally enabled, standards-based regulator and faster public service. IoT expansion: Amber Group says it’s targeting an early 2027 rollout of its IoT network in Jamaica after surpassing one million devices deployed across Africa. Tourism booking shift: Google AI Mode is rolling out hotel booking inside AI, compressing the search-to-reservation journey—potentially reshaping how Jamaicans and visitors plan trips. Health support: Supreme Ventures Foundation donated $2.1m to Chain of Hope Jamaica to help cover paediatric heart surgery costs.

Parliament Goes Digital (with guardrails): Speaker Juliet Holness and PM Andrew Holness used Jamaica’s CPA regional conference to push digital transformation for parliaments—while warning that democracy must stay human-led and protected from misinformation. Digital Continuity Plan: Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett proposed a Parliamentary Resilience and Digital Continuity Centre so legislatures can keep operating during pandemics, hurricanes and other crises. Education Tech Push: The USF Connect-a-Child programme handed tablets to 630 PEP students, aiming to widen access to learning in an increasingly digital society. Youth Building Apps: LASCO-backed Creative Design Camp helped a 12-year-old create a skincare app, showing how early design and app skills can turn into real products. Jamaica IoT Momentum: Amber Group says its Africa IoT rollout has topped one million devices and it’s eyeing an early-2027 Jamaica network launch. Tourism Booking Gets AI: Google AI Mode is rolling out hotel booking inside its assistant, potentially compressing Jamaica’s tourism search-to-reservation journey. Health Tech & Care: Supreme Ventures Foundation donated $2.1m to Chain of Hope Jamaica to support paediatric heart surgery. Local Infrastructure: Old Hope Road trenches will be temporarily covered to reduce school-reopening traffic disruption during the NWC pipeline works.