KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC) has donated a generator to Roger Clarke High School in Balaclava, St Elizabeth, enabling approximately 70 per cent of the student population to return to classes following the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica on October 28, 2025 as a category five storm causing widespread destruction to mostly the western region of the island.

In a release, the school reported that the community of Balaclava was among the hardest hit, with infrastructural damage to the institution and the loss of electricity for more than three months.

Principal George Lewis said the donation has made a significant difference.

“It has helped to transform school life considerably,” he said. “And students, teachers, parents and the community as a whole are very appreciative.”

He explained that during the prolonged power outage, the school reopened on November 17 last year on a staggered basis, with only 30 per cent of the population returning initially.

“We started with the Grades 11 – 13 cohorts, those preparing for exit exams,” he said.

“It was challenging. As some of our subjects naturally require electricity for students to complete their preparations to do these exams — computer courses; information technology, electronic document preparation and management and architectural, electrical and mechanical engineering drawings — subjects for School-Based Assessments (SBAs),” Lewis noted. “In addition, most of our students do not have computers at home, so there’s a reliance on what is being provided here at Roger Clarke High. With the donation of this generator by the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission, 70 per cent of the population is back in school — and a sense of normalcy has returned.”

Lewis said the generator is currently powering the administrative offices and a computer lab.

“It has also facilitated many students and parents to have school uniforms ironed at the school — as although electricity has returned generally to Balaclava, it continues to fluctuate with work still ongoing in various districts,” he explained.

“With this generator, in a word, we are electrified,” he added.

Communication Manager at the BGLC, Wendy Robertson, said the donation reflects the organisation’s commitment to restoring stability.

“At BGLC, we understand that restoring power is about more than electricity—it’s about restoring access to education, stability and hope,” she said. “We are pleased that this donation is helping students and teachers at Roger Clarke High School return to learning and to rebuilding a sense of normalcy after Hurricane Melissa.”

Executive Director of the BGLC, Vitus Evans also underscored the agency’s responsibility in times of crisis.

“As a national regulator, BGLC recognises its responsibility to support communities in times of crisis,” he said. “This generator represents our commitment to education continuity and to helping affected schools recover stronger after Hurricane Melissa.”