Education Ministry says schools in Spanish Town can reopen on Friday

The Ministry of Education has advised that schools in Spanish Town, St Catherine, may reopen for face-to-face classes Friday morning.

However, it is leaving the decision up to administrators after their assessment of the local security situation.

The Ministry said the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has indicated that the police will be maintaining a strong  security presence in and around affected communities.

"In light of this development, all schools in the area are urged to carefully review their individual security situations and make decisions that prioritise the safety and well-being of students and staff," the ministry said in a late night statement.

"Principals are encouraged to maintain close communication with local law enforcement personnel and parents to assess and address any lingering concerns," the statement added.

The ministry said it will continue to collaborate with the security forces to monitor the situation closely and respond swiftly to any developments.

Several schools in Spanish Town were forced to close their doors early on Thursday as a result of ongoing violence in the space.

The violence started Wednesday afternoon when  members of the security forces were attacked as they attempted to arrest a wanted man said to be affiliated with the One Order gang.

It continued into Thursday after the alleged leader of the gang, Ophniel ‘Thickman’ Lobban was fatally shot in a reported shootout with the police at Six Miles, St Andrew about 10:30 pm Wednesday.

The schools forced to close due to the flare-up of violence were: St Jago High, Homestead Primary, Eltham High, Eltham Park Primary, St Catherine High and Burmar Academy. All other schools in the Spanish Town area closed at  12:30 pm Thursday.

Several other schools operating outside St Catherine also closed their doors early as many of their students live in, or traverse the affected communities to get home.