PEP school placements released as Jamaica prepares International Fishermen's Day in St. Thomas

Results from the Primary Exit Profile examinations were released on Monday, setting secondary-school placements for grade six students across Jamaica. Pupils sat the tests on April 29 and 30, 2025, in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. The Ministry of Education said 99% of registered candidates received a placement, with 90% assigned to a school of their choice.

Reactions gathered in Half-Way-Tree were largely positive, with residents noting that many children secured first or second choices despite disruption from the hurricane. At Destiny Academy and Preparatory School in Hopewell, Hanover, principal Simone Murdock said staff and students were celebrating a 100% pass rate after research, perseverance and support from teachers and parents.

As Jamaica marks International Fishermen's Day, the National Fisheries Authority is leading a week of activities, with the main event set for Thursday, June 25, at Colonel's Cove in Morant Bay, St. Thomas, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Although the global observance falls on June 29, local celebrations will include presentations from Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Minister Floyd Green, wellness checks, domino and fish-pot competitions, and booths from agencies including the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard.

NFA CEO Dr. Gavin Bellamy said fishers have endured severe setbacks over the past two to three years, from early-year storms that damaged beaches and equipment to Hurricane Melissa, which destroyed roughly half of the island's fishing boats. More than 90% of Jamaica's fishing is artisanal. Bellamy praised the sector's resilience and noted NFA support including 20 boats and engines for young fishers—two awarded to women—plus training in sea moss cultivation, oyster projects in Westmoreland, Hanover and St. Thomas, and long-line and fish-aggregating-device techniques.

MasterChef Season 16 Global Gauntlet contestant Takiyah Dryden is in Jamaica on a two-week culinary tour, exploring local food culture and sharing dishes rooted in Caribbean flavours. Dryden, who paused her master's degree and left her job to compete, said she has earned top-dish honours and expects the show to resume on July 15 after a five-week World Cup break. She also cooked alongside Prime Minister Andrew Holness at Jamaica House, preparing pan-seared snapper with pickled escabeche, passion fruit beurre blanc, curled green scallions and sweet potato fondant.

Separately, martial arts pioneer Ken Newton James, founder of Bassai Kyokushin Global and a ninth-degree black belt, announced a benefit tournament this Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at the University of Technology, Jamaica, to raise funds for Hurricane Melissa relief. James invited martial arts schools and the public to attend as young performers showcase their skills.