JTA remains concerned about pace of reconstruction at some schools

October 20, 2026

Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) President, La Sonja Harrison says she remains concerned about the pace of the reconstruction works at some schools damaged by Hurricane Melissa last October.

Some 300 schools were damaged by the Category Five storm, particularly those in western Jamaica.

Following a tour of affected institutions in that region, Ms. Harrison raised concerns about tents being used for classrooms at some schools.

The Education Ministry has established, a Hurricane-Melissa-School-Infrastructure-Recovery-and-Resilience-Oversight-Committee aimed at ensuring accountability, quality assurance and transparency, regarding the repair, rehabilitation and reconstruction of public education facilities.

Speaking with IRIE FM News, Ms. Harrison says the JTA will be responding to the Ministry, regarding the appointment of a representative to the committee.

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Ms. Harrison notes that some of the repair works are being impacted by issues such as material shortage.

She says these delays leave teachers to work in crammed and hot classrooms.

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Ms. Harrison says despite the challenges teachers continue to give of their best.

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