KINGSTON, Jamaica — Education Minister Senator Dr Dana Morris-Dixon says the Government will roll out intensive remediation across upcoming school terms and into the summer as it works to mitigate learning loss anticipated in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

“After the COVID-19 pandemic, we learned the impact of learning loss,” Dr Morris-Dixon said. “So next term, third term and into the summer, we will be doing intensive remediation to get our children back to where they need to be.”

She was speaking at the launch of the 2026 Sagicor Sigma Run, where proceeds from this year’s staging will go toward restoring several western schools devastated by the hurricane.

Noting that rebuilding and academic recovery in western Jamaica remain top priorities, Dr Morris-Dixon said that even in the parishes hardest hit by Hurricane Melissa— Westmoreland, St James and Hanover— almost every high school has reopened for external exam students, ensuring that Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Primary Exit Profile (PEP) candidates do not fall further behind.

She added that the ministry will intensify support through Christmas and Easter camps, giving students the chance to recover missed content and strengthen exam readiness.

Major school repairs will also take place over the Christmas break to have all institutions reopened by January.