KINGSTON, Jamaica — The National Education Trust (NET), in partnership with several public, private and diaspora organisations, will stage its annual Back-to-School Pop-Up Village in St Elizabeth next month to provide educational resources, health services and other support to families preparing for the new school year.

According to a release, the event will be held on Friday, August 14, at Barbary Hall Primary and Infant School and is intended to support families recovering from the effects of Hurricane Melissa while helping students prepare for the start of the 2026/27 academic year.

The release said students from Barbary Hall Primary and Infant School, along with children from neighbouring schools, will have access to school supplies, educational resources, free medical health checks, personal care items, recreational activities and cultural programmes.

The initiative is being staged in collaboration with Jamaica Impact Inc (JAMPACT), JN Foundation, e-Learning Jamaica Company Ltd, Jamaica Awareness Association of California (JAAC), Unicycle Jamaica and VM Foundation.

Executive Director of the National Education Trust, Latoya Harris-Ghartey, said the initiative reflects the impact of collaboration in supporting Jamaican children.

“At the National Education Trust, we believe that every child deserves to begin the new school year with confidence, dignity and hope. This Back-to-School Pop-Up Village is a reflection of what can be achieved when organisations unite around a shared commitment to the children of Jamaica. Through the collective support of our valued partners, we are not only providing essential resources and services, but also creating opportunities that help students and their families prepare for a successful academic year. We are proud to bring this initiative to Barbary Hall Primary & Infant School and to welcome students from neighbouring schools, ensuring that the benefits of this partnership extend across the wider community,” she said.

The event forms part of a wider effort by participating organisations to invest in education, health, community development and long-term resilience.

President of Jamaica Impact Inc (JAMPACT), Tassie Scarlett, said the organisation’s partnership with NET builds on more than two decades of supporting education in Jamaica.

“When we invest in a child’s education, we invest in the future of an entire nation. For more than two decades, JAMPACT has proudly supported early childhood education in Jamaica through the generosity of donors and volunteers, and by partnering with like-minded organisations to create opportunities, restore hope, and empower the next generation of Jamaican leaders. Partnering with National Education Trust (NET) allows us to expand our reach across more schools and create an even greater impact,” Scarlett stated.

Lead for Environment and Community Development Programmes at the JN Foundation, Omar Wright, said the foundation’s participation forms part of its ongoing Hurricane Melissa relief and recovery efforts.

“As part of the JN Foundation’s continued Hurricane Melissa relief and recovery efforts, we are proud to partner with the National Education Trust on this back-to-school pop-up village. This collaboration allows us to bring free medical health checks to students preparing to return to school, as well as their parents and other residents of the Barbary Hall community. Students will also receive school kits including books, pens, and pencils, along with personal care kits donated by Lutheran World Relief,” said Wright.

Chief Executive Officer of e-Learning Jamaica Company Ltd, Andrew Lee, said the initiative highlights the importance of partnerships in supporting students and their families.

“The start of a new school year is a reminder that preparing our children for the future is a responsibility we all share. e-Learning Jamaica is therefore pleased to partner with the National Education Trust for the Annual Back to School Pop-Up Village 2026. Strong partnerships help create meaningful opportunities for students and families, and we are proud to play our part in supporting an initiative that will have a lasting impact on the Barbary Hall community,” Lee stated.

Vice President of Education for the Jamaica Awareness Association of California, Nicole Nugent, said the organisation remains committed to ensuring students have access to the resources needed for learning.

“At the Jamaica Awareness Association of California (JAAC), we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to succeed, and that begins with access to the tools and resources needed for learning. We are honoured to partner with the National Education Trust for the Annual Back-to-School Pop-Up Village—an initiative that directly supports students and families as they prepare for a successful academic year. Through partnerships like these, we can help empower students, strengthen our schools, and invest in Jamaica’s future,” Nugent said.

Founders of Unicycle Jamaica, Rhys and Maria Greenland, said their organisation has partnered with NET for the past nine years to distribute donated school uniforms and clothing to children across the island.

“We are deeply grateful for our partnership with the National Education Trust in helping to ensure that donated school uniforms and clothing reach the children and families who need them most. Together, for the last nine years, we are giving these items a second life while helping students across Jamaica return to school with confidence, dignity, and a stronger sense of belonging,” said the founders of Unicycle Jamaica.

Chief Executive Officer of the VM Foundation, Samantha Charles, said the foundation is supporting families still recovering from Hurricane Melissa.

“The VM Foundation is honoured to partner with the National Education Trust on the Annual Back to School Pop-Up Village in St Elizabeth. We are deeply committed to transforming lives and empowering our youth. We believe every child deserves to start the school year prepared, confident, and ready to learn. For families still rebuilding after Hurricane Melissa, that start is far harder to secure alone. This initiative is funded by the generosity of VM Group team members, whose contributions will directly equip 150 of the 2,000 young learners expected at the Village with essential resources for the new school year,” said the CEO.

The National Education Trust stressed that the initiative is intended to reduce some of the barriers preventing children from starting the academic year fully prepared, while strengthening families and communities continuing to recover from Hurricane Melissa.