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:[email protected]