CLASSES have been suspended indefinitely at Knockalva Polytechnic College in Hanover following extensive damage to by Hurricane Melissa.

Chairman of the board of management Anthony Lawrence, says the school has been shuttered based on the damage from the wind and rain associated with Melissa, which the initial estimate put at $3.5 billion.

“This is the most devastating event in the college’s history. As we celebrate our 85th anniversary, we now face the enormous challenge of rebuilding an institution that has shaped generations of Jamaicans,” said Lawrence.

The institution, regarded as a flagship centre for agricultural and technical education in Jamaica, suffered catastrophic losses as several major facilities were destroyed or rendered unusable.

According to Lawrence, staff and student living quarters, along with key academic and agricultural buildings, were left roofless or flattened by Melissa’s powerful winds.

He said the college’s teaching aids and instructional resources were also heavily affected.

“Computers, laptops, smart boards, and other digital tools were destroyed or water-damaged when roofs were blown off classrooms and offices. Laboratory equipment, stationery, and teaching materials were also lost, dealing a severe setback to the college’s academic and digital learning capacity and disrupting its ability to deliver classes and practical training once operations resume,” added Lawrence.

He pointed out that the historic Great House, which houses administrative offices, sustained severe structural damage when windows and doors were ripped off, and the roof was torn apart, leaving the building exposed to torrential rains and flooding.

According to Lawrence, adding to the crisis, the college remains without piped water or electricity, as the Jamaica Public Service Company supply was cut during the storm.

He said efforts to restore temporary power were further hampered when the back-up generator failed, and the electricity control room lost its roof and was subsequently flooded.

Knockalva’s farms, which form the backbone of its hands-on training programmes, also sustained severe damage.

The college reported the loss of 1,600 layer and 1,400 broiler chicken, as well as the destruction of 15 acres of coconut trees, and four greenhouses used for crop production.

Lawrence pointed out that immediate efforts are focused on clearing fallen trees, debris, and damaged structures across the sprawling 200-acre campus to make way for restoration teams.

The college — which has a capacity of more than 300 resident students and 60 staff members — was recently granted full polytechnic status, transitioning from its historic role as an agricultural high school to a tertiary-level institution.

Lawrence has issued an urgent appeal for relief assistance to support approximately 30 students who remain stranded on campus.

He said their communities and homes were also devastated by the hurricane, leaving them with nowhere to return.

“The college is in critical need of emergency supplies, including food, bedding materials, toiletries, clean drinking water, as well as piped water restoration, electricity, and other basic amenities to sustain students and staff,” said Lawrence.

He has also appealed for heavy-duty equipment and machinery such as chainsaws, tractors, and loaders to assist with campus clean-up and the removal of debris and damaged structures.

“While the spirit of resilience remains strong among our staff and students, we cannot rebuild alone. We urgently need external support to restore the college’s operations and ensure safety on campus,” urged Lawrence.

A section of Knockalva Polytechnic College’s greenhouse complex lies in ruin following the passage of Hurricane Melissa. The once-thriving greenhouse is a vital part of the college’s agricultural training programme.

A section of Knockalva Polytechnic College’s classrooms and laboratories lies in ruin following the passage of Hurricane Melissa.