THE Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth, and Information has announced the closure of schools for in-person classes on Tuesday, November 5, due to the expected adverse weather conditions as a result of Tropical Storm Rafael.

The announcement came Monday evening from portfolio minister Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon via an audio release.

She said the decision was made following consultations with the Office of Disaster, Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and the Meteorological Service of Jamaica

“The safety of our students and educators is paramount. We’re urging all schools to make use of online platforms where feasible so that learning can continue even as we prioritise safety,” she said.

Dr Morris Dixon said the ministry is aware that not all children have access to the Internet or have devices, so schools are encouraged to assign tasks to these students who do not have access to the Internet, or a computer or tablet in line with their workbooks or textbooks as per their timetable, “so that we minimise the disruptions in the development of our children”.

She added: “The Government will continue to monitor weather conditions closely and will provide further updates as necessary. Parents and guardians are encouraged to stay informed through official announcements and to take all necessary precautions for their families,” she said.

On Monday, due to the expected unfavourable weather conditions, some schools had already made the decision to close and revert to online classes or dismissed classes early.

According to the National Meteorological Service (Met Office), the weather system is projected to cause heavy rainfall and gusty winds to mainly southern and eastern parishes beginning Monday evening and continue for the next few days.

The entire island, however, is expected to experience rainfall as the system passes over the country.