TheislandofJamaica.OutofMany,OnePeople

By:TERRICAR.JENNINGSSUMMER2009

JAMAICAJAMAICA

Jamaicaisdividedin14parishes:Clarendon,Hanover,Kingston,Manchester,Portland Saint Andrew Saint Ann Saint Catherine Saint Elizabeth SaintPortland,SaintAndrew,SaintAnn,SaintCatherine,SaintElizabeth,Saint

James,SaintMary,SaintThomas,Trelawny,Westmoreland.

JAMAICAJAMA ATheisland discoveredbyChristopherCOLUMBUSin1494 wassettledbytheSpanish

early in the 16th century The native Arawak Indians who had inhabited Jamaicaearlyinthe16thcentury.ThenativeArawak Indians,whohadinhabitedJamaicaforcenturies,weregraduallyexterminatedandreplacedbyAfricanslaves.

Englandseizedtheislandin1655andestablishedaplantationeconomybasedonsugar,cocoa,andcoffee.Theabolitionofslaveryin1834freedaquartermillion

slaves many of whom became small farmersslaves,manyofwhombecamesmallfarmers.JamaicagraduallyobtainedincreasingindependencefromBritain,andin1958it

joinedotherBritishCaribbeancoloniesinformingtheFederationoftheWestIndies.

Jamaica gained full independence when it withdrew from the Federation in 1962JamaicagainedfullindependencewhenitwithdrewfromtheFederationin1962.Deterioratingeconomicconditionsduringthe1970sledtorecurrentviolenceas

rivalgangsaffiliatedwiththemajorpoliticalpartiesevolvedintopowerfulorganizedcrimenetworksinvolvedininternationaldrugsmugglingandmoney

laundering.Violentcrime,drugtrafficking,andpovertyposesignificantchallengestothegovernmenttoday.Nonetheless,manyruralandresortareasremainrelativelysafe

andcontributesubstantiallytotheeconomy.

THE ISLAND OF JAMAICA E D JJamaica:Landofwoodandwater

I i h hi d l f h C ibb i l dSun,SandandSea

ItisthethirdlargestoftheCaribbeanislandsmeasuring146mileslongandupto51mileswide,anditshighestpeak,theBlueMountainPeak,is7,402feetabovesealevel.TheofficiallanguageofJamaicaisEnglish.However,Patois,

Jamaica,knownforitsabundanceofbeautifulmountain

scenery,longstretchesofwhitesandbeaches,and

pulsatingrhythmsoftheReggaebeat,isoneofthemost

populartouristdestinationsintheCaribbean.Setinag g g , ,ablendofEnglishandAfrican,isawidely

spokendialectamongstthelocalpeople.Infact,aconversationmaybealmostincomprehensibletothevisitoratfirst,butinalittlewhileyou

catch the rhythm and begin to pick up

turquoisesea,withsilverbeacheslappedbygentle

waves,itsvastplainsrisingtoloftymountains,has

attractedvisitorsfromotherlandsforcenturies.Itisa

tropical playground where the fun seems to never end!catchtherhythmandbegintopickupexpressions.

LandscapeJamaicahasoneoftherichestandmostvaried

tropicalplaygroundwherethefunseemstoneverend!

Culture

Itscolorfulculturemakesforalivelyatmospherewherethe

j it f th l ti i f Af i d t b tlandscapesintheCaribbean,andwith

waterfalls,springs,rivers,andstreamsallflowingfromtheforestcladmountainstothefertileplains,atriptoJamaicamayincluderiverrafting waterfall climbing horseback riding

majorityofthepopulationisofAfricandescent,butyou

willnoticeEuropean,Arabic,Chinese,andEastIndian

ancestryaswell.

rafting,waterfallclimbing,horsebackriding,beachcombing,orhammockswaying.

JAMAICA-THE PEOPLEJAMA A HE PE PLEJamaicansareamultiracialgroupofpeople.Theyaremixedfromseveraldifferentcultures.MostofthepeoplearefromAfricaandaredescendantsofslaves.Theywerebroughtto

JamaicafromAfricabytheEuropeans.y p

Someoftheseslavesranawayandbecameknownas'Maroons'.TheMaroonshavetraditionsthattheystilladhere

to.Therearevariousgroups;oneofthembeingtheAccompongMaroons.

JamaicansarealsodescendantsfromavarietyofnationssuchasEuropeandAsia.Theyaretrulyamixedculturalnation

withastrongnationalheritage.

The people from these various nations came to Jamaica forThepeoplefromthesevariousnationscametoJamaicafordifferentreasons.Somecamebyforce,sometoconquer,sometocolonize,whilesomecameforotherreasonsandstayed.Thisresultedinthemostunusualracialandcultural

mixture TheJamaicanpeople.

TheAfricanandEuropeans(English,Irish,Scottish,GermansandSpanish)arethemaintypesofdominanceinthe

Jamaicanpeople theAfricanbeingthemostdominant.TheIndians,Chinese,Syrians,Lebanese,ScottishandJewishare

alsothere.

JAMAICA-ART &MUSICJAMA A AR &M SJamaicanshaveamusicalheritagethatstems

from their African and European roots.fromtheirAfricanandEuropeanroots.ReggaemusicisJamaica'smostrecognizedsound.Thesethumpingsoundsarerichandinfectiousandencompassexpressionof

personalfreedom,independence,religion,andgossip.Jamaica'smostfamousisBobl h fl h l d bMarleywhoseinfluencehelpedbringReggaemusicintotheJamaicanmainstream.

Jamaica'slushcolorfullandscapesactasmuseforitspeople.Thesevibrantcolorsarep preflectedinthevisualarts.Jamaicanshave

producedsomeofthebestpaintings,sculptures,andpotteryintheCaribbean.Jamaicanartistsdrawinfluencesfromtheirdiverseculture.Thesecolorfulworksofartinclude precious treasures produced byincludeprecioustreasuresproducedbyunconventionalartistsrangingfromtheacademictotheselftaughtartisan.

LANGUAGEG GTalkTheTalk...

Jamaicansarefamousforhavingawaywithwordsandcreatingdescriptivephrasesasneeded.The

officiallanguageofJamaicaisEnglish.However,most

Mainlanguagesspoken:English&Patois

g g g ,likelyyouwillheartracesofwhatsoundslikea

foreigntongue.ThelanguageonthestreetsiscalledPatois.PatoisisacombinationofEnglish,Spanish.PortugueseandAfricanphraseswhichsoundsmoreg p

rhythmicthentraditionalEnglish.

Whatispatois?

J i P i k l ll P i (P )JamaicanPatois,knownlocallyasPatois(Patwa)orJamaican,andcalledJamaicanCreolebylinguists,isanEnglishAfricanCreolelanguagespokenprimarilyinJamaicaandtheJamaicanDiaspora.Itisnottobe

f d i h J i E li h i h hconfusedwithJamaicanEnglishnorwiththeRastafarianuseofEnglish.Thelanguagedevelopedinthe17thcentury,whenslavesfromWestandCentralAfricawereexposedto,learnedandnativizedthe

l d di l t l f f E li h k bvernacularanddialectalformsofEnglishspokenbytheirmasters:BritishEnglishandHibernoEnglish.

RELIGIONRE GThepopulationofJamaicaist l Ch i ti b t l

ReligiousTypeSpecificDenomination

Percent(%)

Protestant 61 3% stronglyChristian,butalargenumberofislandersadhereto

otherfaiths.AlthoughRastafarianismcontains

Protestant 61.3% ChurchofGod 21.2%

SeventhDayAdventist

9.0%

Baptist 8 8%elementsofChristianity,itisnotconsideredastandardChristiandenomination.

Th i t d l f i t i

Baptist 8.8% Pentecostal 7.6% Anglican 5.5% Methodist 2.7%

United Church 2 7% ThereisagreatdealofvarietyinJamaica'sreligion.While

ProtestantismfromEuropeandtheU.S.hasthestrongest

UnitedChurch 2.7%

Jehovah'sWitness

1.6%

Brethren 1.1%Moravian 1 1% gholdontheisland,thefaiths

ofslavesandindenturedservantscertainlymadetheir

mark here

Moravian 1.1%RomanCatholic 4.0%Other(includingspiritual cults) N/A 34 7% markhere.spiritualcults)

2008

N/A 34.7%

POLITICSP L SPrimeMinisterThePoliticsofJamaicatakesplacein

aframeworkofarepresentativepparliamentarydemocraticmonarchy.The1962ConstitutionestablishedaparliamentarysystembasedontheUnitedKingdommodel.Aschiefoft t Q Eli b th II i tstate,QueenElizabethIIappointsagovernorgeneral,ontheadviceof

theprimeminister,asherrepresentativeinJamaica.Thegovernor general's role is largely

ldgovernorgeneral sroleislargelyceremonial.Executivepowerisvestedinthecabinet,ledbythePrimeMinister.Jamaicaisanindependentcountryand

C lth R l It i

JamaicanPrimeMinister,BruceGolding

CommonwealthRealm.ItisaparliamentarydemocracywhosepoliticalandlegaltraditionscloselyfollowthoseoftheUnitedKingdom.

POLITICSP L S

P li i d f i d SParliamentiscomposedofanappointedSenateandanelectedHouseofRepresentatives.

ThirteenSenatorsarenominatedontheadviceoftheprimeministerandeightontheadviceoftheleaderoftheopposition;asatwothirdspp ;

majorityofbothchambersisneededformajorconstitutionalamendments,thisprovidesa

consensusrequirementforsignificantchange.Generalelectionsmustbeheldwithinfiveyears

of the forming of a new governmentoftheformingofanewgovernment.

Theprimeministermayaskthegovernorgeneraltocallelectionssooner,however.TheSenatemay

submit bills and it also reviews legislationsubmitbills,anditalsoreviewslegislationsubmittedbytheHouse.Itmaynotdelay

budgetbillsformorethanonemonthorotherbillsformorethansevenmonths.TheprimeministerandtheCabinetareselectedfromthe

l f h hParliament.NofewerthantwonormorethanfourmembersoftheCabinetmustbeselected

fromtheSenate.

ECONOMICSEJamaica'seconomyishighlydeveloped

d h i f

In2002,thegovernmentmovedtostimulatethe economy by initiating the nation's largestcomparedtotheeconomiesofmost

Caribbeanislands.Ithasavitalfinancialsectorwithmanyinternationalbanks,alargeskilledworkforce,andarelativelyb d b d Th

theeconomybyinitiatingthenation slargesteverinfrastructuralprojectintendedto

providethecatalystforsustainednationaldevelopment.

TheUSAisJamaica'smajortradingpartner,accountingformorethanonethirdofthe

broadbasedeconomy.Theeconomy,however,isdependentonimportedconsumergoodsandrawmaterials,whichhaveexceededearningsfrom

t i d b it ( hi h t f

gisland'sexportsandmorethanonehalfofits

imports.Despiteitsrelativelydevelopedeconomy,JamaicaisoneofthepoorestislandsintheCaribbean.Althoughthenation'sGDPwasat

tourismandbauxite(whichaccountforthreequartersofJamaica'sforeignexchangeearnings),plussugarand

bananas,allofwhicharesusceptibletoti ld id d d Th i l d

gUS$6.82billionin2000,itspercapitaGDPofUS$2653reflectsthenation'scontinuing

battlewithpoverty.OnethirdofJamaicanfamiliesofficiallylive

belowthepovertyline.About16%oftheerraticworldwidedemand.Theisland

hashadtoconfrontanacutebalanceofpaymentscrisisandisbeleagueredbyamassiveforeigndebt(US$4.7billion).J i l ff f hi h i fl ti

workingpopulationisofficiallyunemployed,whileanotheronethirdfreelancesinwhatiscalledthe'informalsector' prostitution,higgling(bargaining),andhustling.Jamaicahasnogeneralunemploymentbenefits

Jamaicaalsosuffersfromhighinflation(7.3%in2000)andpersistent

unemployment.

MAJOR INDUSTRIESMAJ R ND S R ESTourism Bauxite

Tourismaccountsfor45%ofJamaica'sforeignincomeand

generatedUS$1.3billioninrevenuein2000,when1.8millionvisitors

Inthe1960s,Jamaica(whichhas2.5billiontons,or7%ofworldreserves)wastheworld'snumberonesource

f b i T d J i i harrived(halfofthesewerecruisepassengers).Italsodirectlyemploysover75,000Jamaicans,plus225,000

indirectly(aquarterofalljobs).

ofbauxite.Today,Jamaicaistheworld'sthirdlargestproducerof

bauxiteandprocessedalumina(onlyAustralia and Brazil produce more)

In1999,theJTBdevelopedanewmasterplan,whichfocusedon

developingecotourismand'culturaltourism.

AustraliaandBrazilproducemore).Theindustryaccountsforonequarterofthegovernment's

income.

JAMAICA-MAJOR INDUSTRIESJ M M J R D R EAgriculture

Agricultureisanimportantsourceofemployment Increasingattentionisbeinggiventoallspice(pimento),it ff i t l fl

g p p y(accountingfor21%ofthelaborforce),despiteitsrelativelylowcontributiontotheGDP(about7.5%).Thefertileplainsarethedomainoflargeholdingsproducingsugarandothercropsforexport.Therockyhillsidesandmountainsarethedomainofthepeasantsmallholdfarmer.

citrus,coffee,ginger,cocoa,rum,ornamentalflowers,andcattle.Citrusprojects,inparticular,haveexpandedrapidlyinthepast20years.Also,thenthere'sganja!Inthe1970sand'80s,ganjawas'king'inJamaicaandamajorcontributortothecountry'seconomicdevelopment. Thanks to a committed antinarcotics

ThevastmajorityofJamaica's160,000farmerscultivatelessthan5acres(theaverageholdingis11/2acres).Owningone's'ownlittlepieceofrockstone'isstilltheidealinanationwhere55%ofthelandalmostexclusivelythemostfertileflatlands isownedby5%ofthepopulation.

development.Thankstoacommittedanti narcoticsdrivebythePattersongovernment,manyfarmerswhooncereliedonthecropnowstruggletomakealiving.Still,thetradecontinues.

Manufacturing&ServiceIndustries

Manufacturing contributed 35 2% of the GDP in 2001p p

Inthelate1800s,Jamaicawastheworld'slargestbananaproducer.Thoughtheindustrygradually

declinedduringthe20thcenturytoalowof28,000tonsannuallyinthe1980s,ithasrecentlyseenarecovery:Jamaicaexported42,500tonsofbananasin2000.

Manufacturingcontributed35.2%oftheGDPin2001andemploysabout19%oftheactiveworkforce.Investmentincentiveshaveresultedinthegrowthofsizableprocessedgoodsandtextileindustries.

Kingston is one of the Caribbean's leading financialAlmostonethirdofJamaica'sagriculturalland(203sqmiles)isplantedwithsugar.ThesugareconomyremainsthelargestemployerinJamaica.Formerlytheengineof

theJamaicaneconomy,theindustryhasdeclinedsteadilysince1965,whenproductionpeakedat501,000tons.Productionin2000amountedto216,000tons.

KingstonisoneoftheCaribbean sleadingfinancialcenters.Jamaicahasdozensofbanksandfinancialinstitutions,plusanimportantstockmarket.

Thebroaderserviceindustryemployed41%oftheworking population and comprised 57 4% by value ofworkingpopulationandcomprised57.4%byvalueofJamaica'sGDPin2000.

EDUCATIONED A I N Whenprivatelyownedorrun,theseschoolsarecalled

PreparatorySchools.

EarlychildhoodeducationisinclusiveofBasic,Infantandprivatelyoperatedpreschools.Theagecohortisusually1 6years.TheGovernmentofJamaicabegan

PrimaryeducationinJamaicaaddressesthebasiceducationalneedsofstudentsandpreparesthemforSecondaryEducation.Itincludeschildrenbetweentheagesof512years.

UndertheCaribbeanExaminationCouncil'sRevisedPrimaryCurriculum,studentassessmenthaschangedsignificantly from what was generally an automaticitssupportforthedevelopmentofearly

childhoodeducation,careanddevelopmentin1942.

Thereare2,595earlychildhoodinstitutions.

significantlyfromwhatwasgenerallyanautomaticpromotiontosecondaryschoolthroughtheformerCommonEntranceExaminationsattheendofGrade6.Since1999,theNationalAssessmentProgram(NAP)andGradeSixAchievementstests(GSAT)havebeenutilizingavarietyofteachingstrategiestoensurethatlearningexperiencesaremorebroadbasedandstudenty

Ofthese,183arenotrecognizedbythegovernment,401aredaycarecenters,

approximately100areinfantschoolsand5arespecialeducationschoolswhich

centered.NAPadoptsanintegratedapproachfromgrades13andadiscretesubjectareaforgrades46.

Grade1:ReadinessInventory Grade3:AssessmenttestsinMathandLanguageArts Grade4:LiteracyTest Grade6:AchievementTest(GSAT):inMath,Language

Arts, Social Studies, Science and Writing.pofferearlychildhoodcare.Theenrollmentratebetween4and6yearsis94% oneofthehighestratesintheregion(2008).

Arts,SocialStudies,ScienceandWriting. Thestudentsmakeaprioritizedlistof5schoolsthey

wishtoattend,andbasedontheresultsfromtheGSAT,theyareplacedataschoolfromtheirlist.Someschoolshaveahighercutoffscore,generallyschoolswithahistoryofhighacademicperformance

EDUCATIONED A N

Secondary Education Secondary EducationSecondaryEducation LowerSchool Forms13(Ages1013or14)

Studentsareexposedtoawiderangeofsubjects,includingSpanishandFrenchas2ndlanguages.Generally,IntegratedScienceisgenerallytaughtuntilthe3rdform,wherestudentsbegintakingPhysics,BiologyandCh i bj S h l

SecondaryEducation Grading:SomeexamscanbetakenateithertheBasicor

GeneralProficiencylevels,thelatterbeingmorecommon.ExamsaregradedfromGrades1to4.1isapasswithdistinction,2apasswithcredit.3isasatisfactorylevelpassand4iseitherafailure,ora'basiclevel'pass.Si h F (Di id d i d l i h)Chemistryasseparatesubjects.Someschoolsgroup

studentsbasedontheiracademicachievementtheyearprior.Thiscangreatlyimpactwhatsubjectssomestudentsmightbeabletotakelateroninschool,andwhatteacherstheymightbeassignedto.

UpperSchool Forms4&5 In4thform,studentschooseanywherefrom610subjects

SixthForm(Dividedintoupperandlowersixth) Sixthformisanoptional,twoyearslong,advanced

postsecondaryprogram,attheendofwhichstudentswritetheCAPE(CaribbeanAdvancedProficiencyExams).ThesearetheequivalentoftheGCEALevelexaminationswhichwerethestandardupuntil2003.SomestudentsstillchoosetositAlevelsiftheywish,b t i d i th t till t CAPE' b i

y j(8isthestandard)thattheywillsitintheCaribbeanExaminationCouncil'sOLevelschoolleavingexaminations.Studentsarefreetocreatetheirowncurriculawhichmustincludebutcannotbelimitedto:MathematicsandEnglishLanguageallothersareoptionalthoughsomeschoolstendtomakeatleast1othercompulsory.Moststudentstakeatleastoneforeignl Oth bj t i l d Ph i Ch i t

butindoingsotheymuststillmeetCAPE'sbasicsubjectrequirements/groupings.CAPEandAlevelexamsaresignificantlyharderthanexamssatattheendofhighschool,andareoftenthoughttobeharderthanmostexamsstudentswilleversitinuniversity.EntryintoSixthFormisextremelycompetitive,especiallyinruralandsuburbanJamaica,wherethereare less high schools with sixth form serving largerlanguage.Othersubjectsinclude:Physics,Chemistry,

Spanish,French,Accounting,PrinciplesofBusiness,InformationTechnology,ReligiousEducation,TechnicalDrawing,Art,TheatreArtsandabout25others.Generallystudentsareinformallyclassified,orclassifythemselvesasArts,Sciences,IndustrialArtsandBusinessstudents,especiallyiftheyplanongoingto6thform.

arelesshighschoolswithsixthform,servinglargerareas.

EDUCATIONED A NTertiaryEducation

Generally,ALevelorCAPEexaminationsarenotrequiredtoenterthenation'sUniversities.Onemayalsoqualifyafterhavingearneda3yeardiplomafromanaccreditedpostsecondarycollege.Thewordcollegeusuallydenotesinstitutionswhichdonotgrantatleasta bachelor's degree Universities are typically the only degreeabachelor sdegree.Universitiesaretypicallytheonlydegreegrantinginstitutions;however,manycollegeshavebeencreatingjointprogramswithuniversities,andthusareabletooffersomestudentsmorethanacollegediploma.AfewuniversitiesintheUnitedStateshaveextensionprogramsinvariouspartsofJamaica.Mostofthestudentswhoenrollintheseparttimeprogramsareworkingprofessionalswhowanttocontinuetheireducationwithouthavingtorelocateclosertothenation'sUniversities.

Tertiaryeducationisofferedbythefollowinginstitutions: UniversityoftheWestIndiesatMona,(aregionalinstitution) UniversityofTechnology(UTech) NorthernCaribbeanUniversityNCU) UniversityCollegeofTheCaribbean(UCC) EdnaManleyCollegeofVisualandPerformingArts(anartistic

conservatory)C ll f A i lt S i d Ed ti (CASE) CollegeofAgriculture,ScienceandEducation(CASE)

G.C.FosterCollegeofPhysicalEducationandSports 12teachertrainingcolleges,14communitycolleges,1dentalauxiliary

school,1VocationalTrainingDevelopmentInstitute,29vocationaltrainingcentersand6HumanEmploymentandResourcesTraining(HEART)vocationaltraininginstitutions.

EDUCATIONEDUCATIONTheJamaicaTouristBoardandtheMinistryofEducation,YouthandCulturedevelopedaprograminwhichschoolsacross

JamaicaofferTourismasanewsubjectatalllevelsfromearlychildhooduptosecondary,thatisforchildrenfromage4to15years.Thisprogram,recentlyintroducedforthe1999/2000academicyear,worksinaccordancewiththesetcurriculum,whichincludes:Mathematics,SocialStudies,ResourceandTechnologywhichwillcarrytourismrelatedmaterialsand

concepts.

ThetourismeducationprogramhasalsoledtheMinistryofEducationtoeditsomeofthetextbookstobeusedinschools,withothertextsbeingdeveloped.Withthepreparationofthenewtextbookscomesthetrainingoftourismteachers,withanunderstandingofWhoisaTourist,WhyPeopleTravel,theg , y p ,

ImportanceofTourism,AntiHarassmentandCulture.[ Jamaicahasalsoformedasummerschoolprogram,whichisafivedayworkshopforstudentstogainfirsthandexperienceworkingin

thetourismenvironment.

Fieldtripstolocaltouristattractionsarealsoincluded,alongp , gwithaonemonthplacementofthetopstudentsinhotelsandtourismrelatedorganizations.Eachoftheschoolsselectedto

participateinthisprogramwasinvitedtosendfivestudentsfromthethirdandfourthformyears.Thegroupofstudentsselectedisaccompaniedbyateacherandcoversthefollowingmaterial:TourismisourBusiness;AttitudinalDevelopment;IntheTouristsshoes;TourismandtheEnvironment;andTrendsintheIndustry.

EDUCATIONED A NMinistryofEducation,Youthand

C ltSpecialNonacademicEvents

CultureMinisterofEducation: AndrewHolness

General Details Primary:

SchoolscompetescholasticallyinSchool'sChallengeQuiz andDebatingCompetitions.

In regard to sports the mainGeneralDetailsPrimary: Literacy (2008)Total:88% Male:84.1% Female: 91 5%

Inregardtosports,themainTrackandFieldeventistheBoysandGirlsSchool'sChampionships.Female:91.5%

Primary:99%(80%attendancerate)

ForfootballtherearetheManningCup andDaCostaCupcompetitions.F C i k h i h G ForCricketthereistheGraceShield competitionandtherearealsomanySwimMeetsheldthroughouttheyearg y

EDUCATIONED A N

ADULT EDUCATION ALTERNATIVE EDUCATIONADULTEDUCATION Adult education has become common in many

countries. It takes on many forms, ranging fromformal classbased learning to selfdirected learningand elearning A number of career specific courses

ALTERNATIVEEDUCATION Alternative education, also known as nontraditional

education or educational alternative, is a broad termthat may be used to refer to all forms of educationoutside of traditional education (for all age groups andlevels of education). This may include not only forms ofand e learning. A number of career specific courses

such as veterinary, medical billing and coding, realestate license, bookkeeping and many more arenow available to students through the Internet.

) y yeducation designed for students with special needs(ranging from teenage pregnancy to intellectualdisability), but also forms of education designed for ageneral audience and employing alternative educationalphilosophies and methods.

Alternatives of the latter type are often the result ofeducation reform and are rooted in various philosophieseducation reform and are rooted in various philosophiesthat are commonly fundamentally different from thoseof traditional compulsory education. While some havestrong political, scholarly, or philosophical orientations,others are more informal associations of teachers andstudents dissatisfied with certain aspects of traditionaleducation.

These alternatives, which include charter schools,alternative schools, independent schools, and homebased learning vary widely, but often emphasize thevalue of small class size, close relationships betweenstudents and teachers, and a sense of community.

Jamaica Court SystemJ m t y t m

Jamaica Court SystemJamaica ou t SystemCourtofAppeals

Appeals against decisions from both the Supreme Court and theResident Magistrates Court are heard in the Court of Appeal. Itconsists of the President of the Court of Appeal and six Judges ofAppeal. The Chief Justice is an exofficio member, but only sits on theinvitation of the President in matters in which that the full Court issitting. with the Leader of Opposition.

A Judge of the Court of Appeal must be an Attorneyatlaw of at leastten years standing. Judges of the Court of Appeal are appointed by theGovernor General on the recommendation of the Judicial ServicesGovernor General on the recommendation of the Judicial ServicesCommission. The Chief Justice and the President of the Court of Appealare appointed by the Governor General on the recommendation of thePrime Minister after consultation.

Jamaica Court SystemJamaica ou t SystemSupremeCourtTheSupremeCourthasunlimitedjurisdictionincivilandcriminalmatters.ItconsistsoftheChiefJustice,aSeniorPuisneJudgeandatleasttwentyotherPuisneJudges.PuisneJudgesmustbeAttorneysatlawofatleasttenyearsstanding.JudgesoftheSupremeCourtareappointedbytheGovernorGeneralontherecommendationoftheJudicialServicesCommission.TheyhavejurisdictiontohearapplicationsregardingbreachesoffundamentalrightsandfreedomasprovidedforundertheConstitution.p

ThisCourtexercisesimportantsupervisoryfunctionsovertribunalsliketheIndustrialDisputesTribunalandtheResidentMagistratesCourtinthehearingofwritsofhabeascorpusandmakingofordersofcertiorari,mandamusandprohibition.TwodivisionsoftheSupremeCourtaretheRevenueCourtestablishedin1971andtheGunCourtestablishedin1974.TheGunCourtActwaslaterexpandedtoincludetheWesternRegionalGunCourtthathearsgun offences committed in the parishes of St James Trelawny Westmoreland and Hanover The third division ofgunoffencescommittedintheparishesofSt.James,Trelawny,WestmorelandandHanover.ThethirddivisionoftheSupremeCourtistheCommercialCourtwhichbeganoperationsinFebruary2001.

TheCircuitCourtisthecriminaljurisdictionoftheSupremeCourtthatisconvenedinParishesfortheproperadministrationofjustice.Itisconvenientforthepartiesinvolved,asiteliminatestheneedtotraveltoKingstonfortheprosecutionofcases.

TheCircuitCourtheldfortheparishesofKingstonandSt.AndrewiscalledtheHomeCircuitCourt,whilethatwhichisconvenedintheotherParishesarenamedaftertherespectiveParish,forexample,theSt.CatherineCircuitCourtortheSt.JamesCircuitCourt.

Jamaica Court SystemJamaica ou t SystemResidentMagistratesCourtg

There is a Resident Magistrates Court for every Parish and it has jurisdiction within that Parish andone mile beyond its boundary line. This Court presides over both civil and criminal matters. Thedivisions of the Resident Magistrates Court are the Family Court, the Juvenile Court, the TrafficCourt, Gun Court, Small Claims Court, the Drug Court and the Night Court.Court, Gun Court, Small Claims Court, the Drug Court and the Night Court.

The Resident Magistrates Court has limited jurisdiction in both civil and criminal matters; theamounts and the extent of the jurisdiction of this court is provided for in the Judicature (ResidentMagistrates) Act. The Resident Magistrate must be an Attorneyatlaw of at least five yearsstanding Resident Magistrates are appointed by the Governor General and the Judicial Servicesstanding. Resident Magistrates are appointed by the Governor General and the Judicial Services

Commission.

Civil matters tried at a Resident Magistrates Court include recovery of possession, recovery of rent,granting of probate and letters of administration. The Resident Magistrates Court has no power tohold a trial for certain criminal offences including murder, treason and rape, however in such casesg pa Preliminary Examination or enquiry into the charge is held. In this enquiry, unlike a trial where theobjective is to determine whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty, the purpose is to determinewhether the evidence is sufficient for the accused to stand trial at the Supreme Court. Thejurisdiction of this Court is defined by Statute.

Jamaica Court SystemJamaica ou t SystemPetty SessionPettySession

ThePettySessionCourtispresidedoverbyJusticesofthePeace.TheJusticesofthePeaceJurisdictionActconfervariouspowersontheJusticeofthePeaceincludingthepowerto

b d d h hissuewarrantsconsequentonnonobediencetosummons.AResidentMagistratehasthepoweroftwoJusticesofthePeace.

Jamaica Court SystemJamaica ou t SystemHighestCourtofAppeal:AppealstoHerMajestyinCouncil(PRIVY

COUNCIL)

The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) is one of thehighest courts in the United Kingdom, established by the JudicialCommittee Act 1833.

The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council is the court of finalTheJudicialCommitteeofthePrivyCouncilisthecourtoffinalappealfortheUKoverseasterritories(includingJamaica)andCrowndependencies,andforthoseCommonwealthcountries thathaveretainedtheappealtoHerMajestyinCouncilor,inthecaseofRepublics,totheJudicialCommittee.

ItiscomposedofbetweenfiveandsevenLawLords,whohearappeals,bothcriminalandcivil,fromtheJamaicanCourtofAppeal.

CHIEF JUSTICEChief Justice The Chief Justice isappointed by the GovernorGeneral,on the recommendation of the Primeon the recommendation of the PrimeMinister, after he has consulted theLeader of the Opposition. The ChiefJustice is the head of the Judiciary andis, by virtue of his office, Chairman ofthe Judicial Service Commissionthe Judicial Service Commission.Hence, he handles administrativematters such as appointments andtransfers.If the competence or conduct of theChief Justice should lead to theChief Justice should lead to thequestion of his removal, the PrimeMinister must first ask the GovernorGeneral to institute an inquiry througha special tribunal. Such a tribunal maythen request the GovernorGeneral tothen request the Governor General torefer the matter to the JudicialCommittee of the Privy Council, whichmay recommend the Chief Justice'sremoval.

ChiefJusticeofJamaica

Additional Jamaica Court S tSystems

Revenue Court The Revenue Court was established by the Revenue CourtAct of 1971 The Court is a superior court of record with an official sealAct of 1971. The Court is a superior court of record with an official seal.The judge is a Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court. The Court has thejurisdiction to hear appeals under the Customs Act, the Excise Duty Act,the Valuation Act, the Income Tax Act, the Land Development Duty Acts,the Transfer Tax Act and the General Consumption Tax Act In 1974 thethe Transfer Tax Act and the General Consumption Tax Act. In 1974 theGun Court was established, with certain divisions being superior courts ofrecords; i.e. the High Court Division (established by Act in 1976), and theCircuit Court Division. In these divisions, certain firearms offences, (whichattract mandatory life imprisonment sentences) are triedattract mandatory life imprisonment sentences), are tried.

Family Court The Family Court deals with the maintenance of children,juvenile delinquency, custody and guardianship of children, adoption andj q y, y g p , pmarried women's property rights, in the corporate area. The Family Courtalso operates in Montego Bay. This court has jurisdiction for the parishesof St. James and Hanover.

Legal Aid Assistance in Jamaicaega id ssista ce i JamaicaJamaicadoesprovidelegalid i i i iaidassistancetoitscitizens.

UndertheLegalAidAct,legalaidmaybegrantedtoanyperson who is detained at apersonwhoisdetainedataPolicestationorinalockuporothersimilarplaces.TheActalsostipulatesthata

L l Aid ifi i l dLegalAidcertificateentitledthepersontowhomitis

granted,legalaid,asmaybespecified for the preparationspecifiedforthepreparationandconductofhisorher

defence.

Legal Aid Assistance in Jamaicaega id ssista ce i JamaicaTheLegalAidActwaspassedonDecember9,1997andthesectionsintheActdealingwithassistanceincriminalmatterscameintooperationonMay1,2000.TheActestablishedaNationalschemeforlegalaidtoencompassallaspectsoflegalaidthroughouttheisland.PriortothepassingoftheAct,therewaslimitedstatutorylegalaidincriminalmattersthroughthePoorPrisonersDefenceActandextremelylimitedassistanceincivilactions.

Legalassistancewasalsoprovidedinbothcriminalandcivilmattersbythreeestablishedlegalaidclinicsintheisland.

Th Ki t L l Aid Cli iTheKingstonLegalAidClinicTheMontegoBayLegalAidClinicTheNormanManleyLawSchoolLegalAidClinicTheclinicsinKingstonandMontegoBayarelimitedliabilitycompaniesfoundedprimarilybyconcernedAttorneysinthetwotownsinthe1970s.Theywerefundedthroughfeesfromclients,donationsfromwellwishersandinternationalagenciesandastheyearsprogressed,withsomeassistancefromgovernment.

TheclinicattheNormanManleyLawSchoolisateachingclinic,fundedbytheCouncilofLegalEducationandthereforerodeadifferentpathfromtheothertwoclinics.

Theclinicsinthetwotownscouldnotcovertheneedsofalltheparishesdespiteeffortstoextendtheirreachtoneighboringparishesthroughoutreachandmobileclinics.Theneedforproperrepresentationincriminalmattersfor all Jamaicans the cry for equal justice for all and the growing awareness of the rights of each citizen fueled theforallJamaicans,thecryforequaljusticeforallandthegrowingawarenessoftherightsofeachcitizenfueledtheflamethathadbeenlitbytheseclinicsandleadtothepreparationofthislegislation.

Legal Aid Assistance in Jamaicaega id ssista ce i JamaicaLegalAidProgramscurrentlyoperated:

DutyCounselatPoliceStations;andLegalrepresentation in the Criminal Courts

2.LegalAidintheCourts:ResidentMagistratesCourt,CircuitCourts,GunCourtsandtheAppealCourt.Whenanapplicationismadeandgrantedbytheappropriateauthority,theCouncilprovidesCounseltoconducttherepresentationintheCriminalCourts

throughouttheisland.Regulationsandformshavebeenpromulgatedandprocedurestobefollowedsetout;thesehavebeenrefinedbyyearsofoperations.1.DutyCounsel

defenceonbehalfoftheaccused.ThefeespaidfortheseservicesvarydependingontheseniorityoftheCounsel,theoffenceandtheCourtbeforewhichtheaccusedistried.TheCouncilmaintainsapanelofattorneys,whohaveindicatedtheirwillingnesstooffertheirservicestopersonswhoareinneedoflegalaid.Theseattorneysaredrawnfromacross the length and breathe of Jamaica and operate in they

Underthisscheme,theCouncilprovidestheserviceofaCounseltopersonswhoarebeingheldatapolicestation,lockup,correctionalinstitutionoranyotherplacewherehe/sheisbeingheldordetainedbeforeacourtappearance; Counsel gives legal advice to that

acrossthelengthandbreatheofJamaicaandoperateintheCourtsacrossJamaica.ThereareatpresentoverTwoHundredandSeventyfive(275)attorneysontheCouncilspanelandtheyincludeestablishedseniorattorneys,aswellasjuniorattorneys.FromtimetotimetheCouncilconductsseminarstoinformpeopleofitsfunctionsandtheirrightsundertheLegalAidappearance;Counselgiveslegaladvicetothat

personwhoisdetainedoraccusedofanoffence;attendanidentificationparade,ifoneisbeingheld;bepresentatthetakingofaCautionedStatement,ifoneistobetakenorataquestioningbythepolice,whetherthe

i i ill b d d b h li

p p g gAct.TheCouncilalsosupervisesthetwoexistingclinics,whicharetheKingstonLegalAidClinic,locatedat131TowerStreet,KingstonandtheMontegoBayLegalAidClinicat17OrangeStreet,MontegoBay,St.James.Boththeseclinicsareunderthesupervisionofadirectorandhisstaff.AlthoughtheLegalAidActmakesprovisionforlegalaidinCivil matters at present legal aid is granted only in Criminalquestioningwillberecordedbythepoliceor

not;tomakerepresentationforbailatthelockup;andtorepresentthecitizenasCounselonhisfirstappearanceinCourt.

Civilmatters,atpresentlegalaidisgrantedonlyinCriminalmatters.ApersonwhoappearsbeforeaMagistrateoraJudge,chargedwithaCriminaloffence,andwhosemeansshowthathe/shecannotaffordtheservicesofaprivateattorneywillbegrantedlegalaid,providedhe/sheisnotchargedforoneoftheexceptedoffences.

Legal Aid Assistance in Jamaicaega id ssista ce i JamaicaThecoordinatedsystementailsdealingwithbothcivil

and criminal matters in all the courts in Jamaica.AppropriateproceedingsaredefinedintheActas: All criminal matters in the Resident MagistratesandcriminalmattersinallthecourtsinJamaica.

Thesystemsetsupfourprograms:

Legalrepresentationincriminalmattersinthecourts;

LegalrepresentationatthePoliceStation

AllcriminalmattersintheResidentMagistrates Court,includingcommittalproceedings.

Anytrial,orappealfromconvictioninacourtbelow,inacriminalmatterintheSupremeCourt.g p

onarrestordetention;(DutyCounsel)

Legalrepresentationincivilmatters. Legaladvice

Thethirdandfourthprograms,civillegalaidandlegal

AnyappealfromconvictioninacriminalmattertotheCourtofAppealortoHerMajestyinCouncil.

AlloffencesaredealtwithundertheActsaveforexceptedoffences.Section28(1)oftheAct

h h kp g , g g

advice,arecurrentlyoperatedonlythroughtheKingstonandMontegoBayLegalAidClinics.

Legalaidistobegrantedtoapersonwhose

givestheMinisterthepowertomakeregulations,including

TheExceptedOffenceoftheAct: Theexceptedoffencesare:

meansareinsufficienttoenablehimtoobtainlegalservicesfromaprivateAttorneyforthepreparationandconductofhisdefenceinappropriateproceedings.

CertainoffencesundertheMoneyLaunderingAct;and

CertainoffencesundertheDangerousDrugsAct,whentheamountofthesubstanceforwhichthepersonischarged,exceedseight(8)ouncesounces.

Legal Aid Assistance in Jamaicaega id ssista ce i JamaicaHowtogetLegalAid

Step oneHowtheJamaicangovernmentpaysforlegalaid:http://wwwmoj gov jm/pdf/lac payments rel pdStepone

Getaformfromanylegalaidclinicorcourtoffice.

SteptwoCompletetheapplicationform.Ifyouneedh l ff l l

http://www.moj.gov.jm/pdf/lac_payments_rel.pdf

help,ASKFORITatacourtoffice,atalegalaidclinic,orfromajusticeofthepeace(JP).

StepthreeTaketheapplicationformtoanyoneofthefollowingplaces:g p

Thecourtofficewhichisdealingwithyourcase.

Thenearestlegalaidclinic. TheOfficeoftheRegistraroftheGunCourt. TheSupremeCourtortheCourtofAppeal.

StepfourAnofficeroftherelevantofficewilllookatyourformandtellyouwhetheryoucangetlegalaid.

Legal Aid Assistance in Jamaicaega id ssista ce i Jamaica

LEGAL AID IN CIVIL MATTERS LEGAL AID CLINICSLEGALAIDINCIVILMATTERS

The implementation of legal aid in civil mattersthrough out the Island while an important item,cannot be considered now when the funds for theoperations of the two programs under legal aid in

LEGALAIDCLINICSThefutureofLegalAidinJamaicahastobe

theestablishmentandoperationofLegalAidClinicsineachparishcapital;the decentralization of the programsoperations of the two programs under legal aid in

criminal matter s is inadequate.

ThetwolegalaidClinicsundertheCouncildoprovidesomeassistanceinthisareainthetwolargest

cities,KingstonandMontegoBay.

thedecentralizationoftheprogramsandtheoperatingofthemonalocallevel.

Initially,thiscanbedoneonai l l l b t bli hi li i t

TheCounciliswellawareoftheneedandtheurgencytoexpanditsoperationsintocivilmattersandisconsideringtwopossibilitiesinthenearfuture:

regionallevel,byestablishingclinicstocovermorethanoneparishandthento

promotetheestablishmentofoneclinicperparish.

These clinics would not only administer the1. Commencing civil legal aid in only some areassuch as family cases and where there is a violationof someones fundamental rights;2.Operating civil legal aid through the establishmentof other legal aid clinics in parish capitalsh h h l d l l

Theseclinicswouldnotonlyadministerthepresentprogramsbutcouldalsomoreeasilydevelopcivillegalaidintheiroperationsastheyeachgrowin

strength,organizationally.throughout the Island or in regional clinics.

LEGAL AID FACTS FACTS

Afterameanstestisadministered and youradministeredandyoursituationisassessed,youmaybeaskedtopaypartofyourlegalfees.NOTE:Youcanpayi i t ll tininstallments.

Ifyoucannotaffordit,youwillnotbeforcedtopay.

An attorney will be assignedAnattorneywillbeassignedtoyourcaseandwillgotocourtwithyou.

Formoreinformation,,contacttheLegalAidCouncilinJamaicaat8769486999.

MEDIATION

WhatisMediation?

Mediation is the use of a facilitator (trained unbiased confidential)TIPSONRESOLVINGDISPUTES:

T lk b t h f lMediationistheuseofafacilitator(trained,unbiased,confidential)tohelppartieswithconflicttotalkandlistenwithaviewtodesigningasolutionwhichmeetstheirneeds.Mediationcanbeconductedinthecourtsystem,incommunity,workplace,policestations,schools,oranysettingwherethedisputantschoosetouseathirdpartytohelpthemsettletheirdifferences.

Talkabouthowyoufeel; Behonestaboutwhataffects

you; Choosetotalkinsteadoffight;p y p

WhyMediation?

Forthepurposeofreachingsolutions; Itreducesdelays;

ff d d d f l d

Dontbequicktoblameothers; Dontbeafraidtosaywhatyou

dontlike; Alwaystrytoberespectful;

Itiscosteffectiveandcircumventsredtapeandformality;and Itallowsforcontinuedrelationships.

y y p ; Talkinasafeplace; Remembersomethingsare

alwaysprivate; Ask a mediator for help if youAskamediatorforhelpifyou

cannotagree;and Amediatorwillguideyouon

howtoshareideas.

MEDIATIONMED

Mediation is offered in Jamaica by THE TheDRFhasapanelofskilledmediatorsandMediationisofferedinJamaicabyTHEDISPUTERESOLUTIONFOUNDATION(DRF).TheDisputeResolutionFoundation,formerly

theMediationCouncilofJamaica,wasincorporatedJuly1994toincrease

cooperationinthemanagementand(DRF)isl l f d

ptrainerstoresolvedisputes,trainmediators,anddevelopbusiness,courtannexed,policeandcommunitydisputeresolution,andarbitrationprogram appropriateoptionsfordisputeresolution,underthepatronageofth Chi f J ti f J iaprivatevoluntaryresolutionofdisputes

involvingbusiness,thepolice,courts,socialserviceagenciesandthepeople,throughthe

controlledprocessofmediation.Itisavoluntaryorganization.

theChiefJusticeofJamaica.

Corefundingupto1996wasprovidedbyUSAIDundertheSustainableJustice

Improvement Program The FoundationSomeofitsobjectivesare:

ToencourageandeducatethepublicaboutusingADRImprovementProgram.TheFoundationseekstoimplementaverysuccessfulmodelofdisputeresolutionwhichiswidelyusedbybusinessesandcourtsintheU.S.A.,HongKong,Canada,AustraliaandtheUnited

Kingdom.

techniquestoresolveconflictswithoutresortingtoviolence;

ToestablishPeace&JusticeCentersincommunitiesthroughoutJamaica;

Toincreasetheuseofmediationservicesbythelegalgprofessionasadisputeresolutionoption.

MEDIATION

Mediators include teachers students lay magistratesMediators includeteachers,students,laymagistrates,communityleaders,inmates,correctionalserviceofficers,attorneys,corporateexecutives,managers,linestaffandyoungpeople.FromFebruary1995toSept.2002,over8000personsreceivedtrainingorservice,inJamaica,Belize,Trinidad&Tobago,St.

Vi t & B b dVincent&Barbados.

PEACE&JUSTICEcentershavebeenestablishedinKingston&St.Andrew,St.Mary,HanoverandSt.James.TrainedmediatorsareinSt.Catherine,St.

Ann, St. Thomas, Manchester, Portland,Ann,St.Thomas,Manchester,Portland,WestmorelandandClarendon.Thesecentersandmediatorswilloffermediationservicesandsupporttheworkofthepolice,courts,CBOsandschoolsin

reducingcrimeandviolenceinJamaica.

ThereisacorpsofyouthmediatorstrainedthroughKRC,UNICEF&SDCaswellasworkdonewithfortytwo

(42)highschoolsandTeacherTrainingCollegesintheisland.

MEDIATIONTHEDISPUTERESOLUTIONFOUNDATION(DRF)

ThefollowingaresomeoftheobjectivesoftheFoundation: FortrainingandsensitizationFoundation:

1. toestablishmethodsofresolvingdisputesinJamaicawhicharesupplementary,complementaryoralternativetolitigation,calledAlternativeDisputeResolution(ADR)techniques;

2 to encourage and educate the public about using

inAlternativeDisputeResolution(ADR):CourtconnectedWorkplace/business2. toencourageandeducatethepublicaboutusing

ADRtechniquestohandleconflictsanddifferenceswithoutresortingtoviolence;

3. toestablishseveraldisputeresolutionfacilitiesincommunitiesthroughoutJamaica;

4 to explore and establish such ADR techniques as

Workplace/businessFamilyandcommunitySchools/collegesetc.RestorativeJusticeM di ifi i4. toexploreandestablishsuchADRtechniquesasmethodsofresolvingdomestic,commercial,

industrial,politicalandsocialdisputesamongmembersoftheJamaicancommunity;

5. toincreasetheuseofmediationservicesbythelegal profession as a dispute resolution option

MediatorcertificationCaribbeanprogramsContact:Ms.JenniferWilliams,Traininglegalprofessionasadisputeresolutionoption.

ForMediationServicesinJamaica:ContactMs.Jenniferilli i i (8 6) 908 36

, g

Williams,TrainingManagerat(876)9083657.Email:Jennifer.williams@drfja.org