CARMEL, Westmoreland — Principal of Carmel Primary and Infant School in Westmoreland Ushae Daley-Bromfield has expressed gratitude and relief following the Ministry of Education’s extensive repairs of the institution, within just a week, to facilitate its reopening for the January term.

Hurricane Melissa damaged the roof of the infant department while the block that houses primary grades one to six suffered significant damage and was in urgent need of restoration to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment for students who returned this week.

Daley-Bromfield praised the ministry’s swift response, highlighting the collaborative efforts of the regional director, education officer, and building officer who worked tirelessly — even during the holidays — to complete repairs.

“I am very grateful for the initiative of the Minister of Education and the entire team involved,” said Morris-Dixon. “I am elated that the students are able to come out so we can continue teaching and learning because teaching and learning is paramount for us here at Carmel.”

She was speaking with the Jamaica Observer, Tuesday, following a visit to the institution by Minister of Education Dr Dana Morris-Dixon and other ministry officials along with minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for science, technology and special projects Dr Andrew Wheatley. Morris-Dixon, who was on a Hurricane Melissa School Infrastructure Repairs and School Reopening Tour, later visited Accompong and Elderslie Primary schools in St Elizabeth.

An impressed Daley-Bromfield, who described the work done at Carmel Primary and Infant School as a “marathon effort,” said an assessment was conducted, a report sent in to the minister and repairs started last week.

“They worked right through the holidays. They worked on New Year’s Day. They worked on Sunday. They worked late into the night. I was here with them every day until late to ensure that things go back on track for the reopening,” stated Daley-Bromfield.

The institution lost most of its teaching and learning aids, including computers and tablets.

“It was very devastating. Our storeroom, in which we host a number of items, to include furniture and resources, it crumbled to the ground,” explained Daley-Bromfield.

The ministry of education-certified school is operated by Carmel Moravian Church and currently has on roll 38 students, two of whom were registered on Tuesday. There are four teachers on staff.

In 2025, the school lost its entire administrative block to fire and the church helped them rebuild. Last year’s October 28 Category 5 storm ripped apart the church and the school will return the favour by opening up its classrooms to worshippers on Sunday.

The education minister was also effusive in her praise for all who helped get the school repaired.

“When you look at the church, right beside it, a beautiful Moravian Church up on a hill, it is destroyed. And this school was in a similar state right after Hurricane Melissa. But this school, the principal was able to use the initial building grant to do a lot of the clean-up, and then through our building team in the ministry, we were able to get a contractor very quickly, who did amazing work. They worked Christmas Day, they worked New Year’s Day to ensure that schools could open yesterday. And so, I want to thank everybody who’s been a part of this. It’s hard work,” she emphasised.

Hurricane Melissa left more than 600 educational institutions across Jamaica with varying degrees of damage, with schools in Region Four — which covers St James, Hanover, and Westmoreland — particularly hard hit.

During Tuesday’s event, the education ministry’s Regional Director Dr Michele Pinnock gave an update on the opening of schools on Monday.

“Of the 128 primary schools, all except 14 are [at] full resumption and we… understand that all our grade six are out every day. And, for our high schools — we have 25 high schools — 13 are on rotation and 12 are full resumption. So, our main aim in Region 4 is to ensure that all our children are engaged. We want them to have that attitude that whether they are in the location or whether there is an adult there, they are still required to take ownership of their learning and really become independent self-directed students,” argued Pinnock.

She also noted that only one of the 11 infant schools in Region 4 – St John’s Infant in Darliston, Westmoreland — did not fully resume classes on Monday. Pinnock said work is scheduled to begin there soon. She said the structure will not only be strengthened but two additional classrooms will be put in place.

Education Minister Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon (right) in discussion with students of Carmel Primary and Infant School in Westmoreland, while Principal Ushae Daley-Bromfield (left) and teacher Jheimi Hendricks look on. (Photo: Anthony Lewis)