Jamaica Denies St. Mary Migrant Housing Plans as Ministers Update Education, Health and Tourism Policy

National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang has dismissed media claims that the Government plans to host third-country nationals in St. Mary, stating on Tuesday, 30 June 2026, that no such arrangements exist. Dr. Chang told the Jamaica Information Service that no transfers will take place until operational procedures are finalised and authorities complete a review by the International Organization for Migration on housing readiness.

The minister urged responsible reporting, warning that misleading coverage had stirred anger in the Grand Spen area and placed a retired Jamaican professional's property and staff at risk. He said police have been instructed to maintain a visible presence to reassure residents and preserve order, while technical teams from the Ministry of National Security and Peace, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the IOM assess whether conditions are suitable. The public will be informed when that work is complete.

The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information has condemned reported treatment of some grade six pupils at Ascot Primary School in St. Catherine, where students who did not perform well in the 2026 Primary Exit Profile examinations were allegedly barred from wearing gowns at graduation. Portfolio Minister Dr. Dana Morris Dixon described the reported conduct as inappropriate and inconsistent with child welfare principles, stressing that every child deserves dignity regardless of exam results. Acting Chief Education Officer Terry Ann Thomas-Gale said the ministry engaged Principal Mark Johnson, who expressed regret and said the decision was not intended to publicly humiliate any student.

State Minister Rhoda Moy Crawford said approximately 108 teachers have been appointed to early childhood institutions, with recruitment continuing to fill vacancies. Roughly $30.8 billion, representing about 19.5 per cent of the ministry's $196.7 billion recurrent budget, is allocated to the sector serving children from birth to age eight. About 81,000 pupils in infant schools and lower primary grades across roughly 500 infant schools and more than 766 primary schools, along with 24,000 children in private institutions, now receive instruction from trained educators.

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett reported that the tourism workers' pension scheme now holds $5.3 billion in savings, with more than 10,000 workers registered. The fund, initially seeded with $1 billion from the Government, covers permanent, contract and self-employed hospitality workers aged 18 to 59, including hotel staff, craft vendors, tour operators and attraction workers. Members who meet the five-year vesting period may receive benefits from age 65.

The National Health Fund has increased subsidies on 18 cardiovascular drug items and expanded hypertension and heart-failure coverage this year, including diagnostic benefits for echocardiograms and electrocardiogram tests. SERHA introduced electronic food-handler permits through the IDPro identity management system on 15 June, giving approved applicants in Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Catherine and St. Thomas immediate digital access and projecting savings of about $16.8 million.

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness held bilateral talks in Suriname and Guyana on energy, agriculture, trade and regional cooperation, signing four memoranda of understanding in Georgetown. He also expressed condolences on the death of former Senate President, Justice Minister and Attorney General Oswald Harding, who passed on 24 June at age 90. Water Resources Authority Managing Director Peter Clark warned that bush fires worsen soil erosion, watershed damage and pressure on reservoirs during drought conditions, and called on citizens to avoid careless burning.