KINGSTON, Jamaica—The National Education Trust (NET) is helping hurricane-affected schools in western Jamaica restore critical infrastructure while supporting the wider effort to build back stronger, safer and more resilient learning environments for the children of Jamaica.

NET, a registered charitable organisation and an agency of the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, recently visited the Rusea’s and Green Island high schools in Hanover, as well as Corinaldi and Chetwood Memorial primary schools in St James, where restoration works have been undertaken to address damage caused by Hurricane Melissa.

The visits provided an opportunity to see first-hand the progress being made and to hear from school leaders about what the restoration of classrooms, roofs, canteens, laboratories and other critical facilities has meant for their students and wider school communities.

Executive Director of the National Education Trust, Latoya Harris-Ghartey, said that while the physical restoration of schools remains critical, the true impact of the work is reflected in the return of students to spaces where they can learn safely and comfortably.

Green Island High School

“When we restore a roof, a classroom, a canteen or another critical space within a school, we are doing far more than repairing a building. We are helping a child return to a place where they can learn, helping a teacher return to an environment where they can teach effectively, and helping an entire school community regain a sense of hope and normalcy. Every school we help to restore is another step towards rebuilding a stronger and more resilient education system for Jamaica,” Harris-Ghartey said.

That impact is already being felt at Rusea’s High School, where several roofs damaged during the hurricane have been restored. Principal Donna Anderson said the works have allowed the institution to return several important areas of the school to use, including the science block, main campus, grade seven block, canteen and industrial arts department.

“I want to say a big thank you to the National Education Trust because, with their assistance, we were able to have our roofs restored. This has been extremely beneficial to us because, towards the latter part of the school year, we were able to accommodate all our students for their internal examinations,” Anderson said.

She also expressed gratitude to the education ministry, the school board, parents and other stakeholders who supported the institution throughout its recovery.

Corinaldi Primary School

A similar sense of gratitude was expressed at Corinaldi Primary School, where the hurricane caused significant damage. Principal Deon Stern-Anglin said NET’s intervention has assisted the school in restoring facilities and creating a more comfortable environment for students to continue their education.

“We are eternally grateful to NET for its contribution to our school. Hurricane Melissa caused significant devastation, but thanks to NET, they came on board and helped us to restore the school and make it somewhere our children can once again learn in comfort,” Stern-Anglin said.

Among the areas benefiting from restoration works were classrooms, the grade six block, canteen and computer laboratory.

The impact has also resonated with parents. President of the school’s Parent-Teacher Association, Conard Robinson, praised the restoration efforts and the difference they have made to the school community.

“I want to say thanks to NET for coming to Corinaldi and carrying out the restoration work. From our classrooms and grade six block to the canteen and computer lab, NET has done a tremendous job. We are extremely grateful for the hard work that has been done here,” Robinson said.

At Chetwood Memorial Primary School, the restoration of the school’s canteen has brought another critical part of school life back into operation. Principal Garvin Atkinson, recalled that the facility was severely damaged during Hurricane Melissa, including the loss of its roof. Its restoration now means that students can once again access breakfast and lunch at school.

“Following Hurricane Melissa, the canteen was severely damaged. Today, thanks to the National Education Trust and other partners, the facility has been fully restored and our children are once again able to receive breakfast and lunch,” Atkinson said.

For the principal, the significance of the restored canteen extends well beyond the physical structure.

“Nutrition is a very important part of the teaching and learning process. If our children are hungry, they cannot learn effectively. We are eternally grateful to NET and the partners who worked assiduously to restore the canteen so that our children can receive nutritious meals that support their learning,” he added.

Meanwhile, at Green Island High School, the restoration works are helping the institution continue its journey towards full recovery. Principal Maxine Evans said the hurricane created significant needs across the school and welcomed NET’s intervention as an important contribution to restoring the teaching and learning environment.

“Following the onslaught of Hurricane Melissa, a number of needs arose at our school. NET has come on board to help us get back to normal and ensure that our children and other stakeholders are supported,” Evans said.

“This repair work will go a far way in getting our children back on track and enhancing the teaching and learning programme within the school. We are happy to know that NET has come on board, and we believe the impact of this support will be far-reaching,” she added.

The works at the four institutions form part of broader post-hurricane restoration efforts being undertaken across Jamaica’s education sector. Through collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, donors, partners, school administrators and communities, NET continues to support the restoration of critical education infrastructure and the return of affected schools to normal operations.

Harris-Ghartey emphasised that partnership remains essential to the recovery process, particularly as work continues at schools affected by the hurricane.

“The recovery of our schools is a collective responsibility. What we are seeing today is the result of people and organisations coming together around one shared priority – our children. There is still more work ahead, but NET remains committed to mobilising the resources and partnerships needed to help our schools recover, rebuild and emerge stronger for the future,” she said.