JTA says Gov’t needs to mobilize all-hands-on-deck approach to quickly repair schools damaged by Hurricane Melissa last year

September 8, 2026

President of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association La Sonja Harrison says the Government needs to mobilise an all-hands-on-deck approach to quickly repair the island’s schools, which were damaged by Hurricane Melissa last year.

Her comment comes in light of repair works which continue at a number of schools across the island despite yesterday’s start of the new academic year.

Education Minister Dr. Dana Morris Dixon noted that contingencies were put in place to ensure that classes could resume at schools where construction was still taking place.

She also noted that the safety of students is a priority and checks are ongoing to ensure that the contractors are implementing the proper protocols.

On a tour of several schools in Western Jamaica yesterday where Hurricane Melissa created major damage, Ms. Harrison said that while she sees the work at schools, there is a need for alacrity in construction.

She believes the Government could have garnered greater local and regional support to assist the rebuilding effort.

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In the meantime, she said there is a need for improved security measures to protect children while repair works are taking place.

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