Schools in session Monday amid tropical storm warning – Morris Dixon

Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Dr Dana Morris Dixon, said public schools will be in session on Monday despite the island being placed under a tropical storm warning. 

Morris Dixon, in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday night, shared that her ministry is closely monitoring the potential tropical cyclone (PTC) and are in constant contact with the Meteorological Service.

"At this time, schools are in session tomorrow (Monday). The leadership of schools are asked to monitor local conditions and to make decisions as necessary," she wrote. 

Morris Dixon shared a bulletin issued by the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information (MOESYI), which notified its stakeholders that the Met Service issued a tropical storm warning for the island. 

"Based on the projection, the Meteorological Service has advised that the centre of the system is expected to be near Jamaica by late Monday evening. Significant rainfall that may lead to flooding is anticipated," the ministry adviced.

Consequently, the ministry said its stakeholders are encouraged to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety while it continues to monitor the weather conditions. 

"As per usual, we know how rapidly situations can change on the ground. Therefore, the local conditions should inform decisions at the school level," the ministry's bulletin said.

It added that, "Where school closure becomes necessary, the school board should huddle and, in consultation with the regional team, make a decision that will strike a balance between the continuity of learning and safety." 

The education system, according to the ministry, has addressed disruptions of this nature in the past and has gained experience in accommodating continued learning while prioritising the safety of all stakeholders.

"School boards are, therefore, empowered to pull on this learning in the best interest of the stakeholders," the ministry indicated.