Reading Time: 3 minutes

The deadline for nominations for the Prime Minister’s Youth Awards for Excellence (PMYAE) has been extended to October 8.

According to Robert Morgan, state minister in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, the decision to extend the deadline came after several young Jamaicans hoping to apply or nominate others for an award outlined concerns and indicated they were facing challenges completing the application process.

“Being a youth-centric ministry, it was prudent that we listen to our young people and respond accordingly,” Morgan said as he noted that the new deadline would also open the nomination process to young persons who are awaiting their final grades and other documentation as well as those who are encountering challenges with Internet connectivity.

the junior youth minister said youth awards has always encouraged youth applicants from a wide cross-section of the population who excel in various fields to apply.

“We want to ensure that we do our due diligence in ensuring the process is as equitable as possible, given the circumstances which now prevail, some exacerbated by the pandemic,” Morgan said.

“So, we encourage everyone to take advantage of this extension to apply and nominate a young person who they believe has excelled in any of the categories listed for the opportunity to get the recognition they so greatly deserve and a chance to win a Prime Minister’s Youth Award.”

Since it was first established in 1998, the Prime Minister’s Youth Awards have been presented to young Jamaican nationals between 15 and 29 years old, living in Jamaica or the diaspora.

Nominees must excel in the selected category, contribute to Jamaica’s development, have attained national or international recognition in their area of specialty, and must be of upstanding character.

Nomination forms may be downloaded from www.youthjamaica.com or the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information website, https://moey.gov.jm. Completed forms should be submitted to [email protected] along with certified copies of birth certificate and academic certificates, including proof of achievements and awards, two written references and profile of achievements.

Categories for the Prime Minister’s Youth Awards for Excellence

1- Agriculture/agro-processing

2- Academics

3- Entrepreneurship/social entrepreneurship,

4- Journalism/e-journalism

5- New media,

6- Arts and culture

7- Music

8- Environmental protection

9- Innovation in science and technology

10- Sports

11- National leadership

12- Community development

13- Youth development

14- Prime Minister’s Special Awards for Excellence.