KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) – The Ministry of Education has arranged for the installation of 200 tanks in schools affected by the water shortage.

This was disclosed by Portfolio Minister, Rev Ronald Thwaites, during a back-to-school press briefing, held at the Office of the Prime Minister on Thursday.

Thwaites also noted that the National Water Commission (NWC) has committed to truck water to accessible schools.

“We are appealing to parents to send their children to school with bottles of water and we further appeal to community members not to use the school’s stored water, as that will disrupt the operations of the institution,” Thwaites said.

He also urged principals to ensure they make contact with their regional offices to ensure they have a steady supply of water.

Thwaites expressed the hope that the time will not come when, because of the protracted drought, some schools may be forced to close.

“We have to be very realistic. There are some schools that are on the top of a hill where the water tanker cannot go, and we are seeking smaller containers that we can put in the back of a pickup and take there. We are willing to try every means possible and mobilise whatever source we can to alleviate this difficulty. [It’s] a last resort to close the school,” he said.