ST JAMES, Jamaica— Anchovy High and Catherine Hall Primary schools in St James are among those that have cancelled classes for the day, unable to cope with another 24 hours of disruption to their water supply.

On Tuesday, over 2,000 National Water Commission employees took industrial action over an outstanding reclassification exercise as well as the ongoing public sector compensation review.

Meanwhile, others like Farm Primary & Junior along with Roehampton Primary are trying to keep classes going for now.

Students and parents have been vocal in their displeasure.

“This is not fair,” said eighth-grader Kimberly Allen. She was among students of Anchovy High who were told at 8:30 Wednesday morning that they should return home.

“After COVID do wi so bad, now Government cause school to be closed over foolishness,” said the young girl.

Other students wondered if the disruption will last for the rest of the week.

Meanwhile, angry parents whose children attend Catherine Hall Primary complained about having to scramble to make arrangements to care for their children while they are out of school. Their ire was aimed at the Government for its role in the current impasse that has led to the strike.

On Tuesday afternoon, Labour Minister Karl Samuda assured the country that water should soon be back in their taps. However, many communities across the country are still without water. Talks between the NWC and trade union officials are expected to resume today.

In the meantime, at least three health centres in Hanover are on the verge of shuttering their doors as a result of the ongoing strike.

READ: Three Hanover health centres face closure due to NWC strike

-Venesha Morris