KINGSTON, Jamaica – As the new school year beckons, Young Jamaica, the youth arm of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), is  calling on the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) to prioritise the restoration of electricity in the central parishes of St Ann, St Elizabeth and Clarendon.

The recent power outages in these areas have severely impacted households, schools, and essential services, as well as the operations of the National Water Commission (NWC).

The central parishes, home to major schools—including York Castle High School and St Hilda’s Diocesan High School in St Ann; Munro College and Hampton School in St Elizabeth, and Glenmuir High School and Clarendon College in Clarendon—are grappling with significant disruptions.

The NWC, which relies heavily on a stable electricity supply to power its water pumps, is struggling to provide consistent water service, further exacerbating the challenges faced by families, as they prepare their children for the new academic year.

“Reliable electricity and water supply are fundamental for students to be adequately prepared for school, whether for daily routines, virtual learning, or completing homework. The current disruptions risk undermining the educational readiness and well-being of thousands of students across these parishes,” underscored Zukie Jarrett, Young Jamaica’s central coordinator for the island.

Additionally, Young Jamaica is calling for serious penalties for JPS if the company fails to meet the timelines set by the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) for restoring power.

The youth arm of the JLP stressed that ongoing outages are more than an inconvenience, arguing that they threaten public health, safety, and the future of our young people. Young Jamaica noted that “it is crucial that JPS is held to the highest standards of accountability, especially when the stakes are so high”.

“Our students deserve a stable environment in which to learn and grow. The repeated failures to restore essential services in a timely manner are unacceptable. JPS must be held accountable, and there must be consequences for not meeting the deadlines set by the OUR,” Jarrett argued.

“We cannot allow our young people to suffer because of these ongoing issues.”

“While acknowledging the efforts made by JPS thus far, Young Jamaica insists that the company must prioritise the restoration of power in the central parishes, particularly in areas where the need is most urgent. We also urge the OUR to enforce strict penalties for any failure to meet restoration deadlines, ensuring that there is accountability and that service providers fully understand the gravity of their responsibilities,” he added.

Young Jamaica stressed that it will remain steadfast in advocating for the rights and needs of the youth and the broader community.

“We are committed to supporting any initiatives that will expedite the restoration of these critical services, ensuring that no student in St Ann, St Elizabeth, or Clarendon is left without the necessary resources to succeed,” Jarrett said.

“We expect swift and decisive action from JPS in the coming days and call on the OUR to take all necessary steps to enforce compliance and ensure reliable service delivery in the future,” he added.