With school resumption labelled as top priority, the Ministry of Education has announced that $500 million has been dedicated to clean up efforts of institutions that were affected by Hurricane Melissa.

Speaking at the National Parenting Support Commission’s (NPSC) ‘Recovery Mission’ Launch at Tivoli Gardens High School on Wednesday, permanent secretary in the education ministry Dr Kasan Troupe said it has been working diligently to provide the nation with some good news regarding the reopening of schools.

“I want to tell Jamaica that the Cabinet has already approved the relief grants for schools. So we can clean up and get the debris removed out of our schools… We will be disbursing the grants to the individual schools so they can mobilize on the ground to move out the debris and to set up temporary learning spaces. So work is happening,” said Troupe.

She told the launch that despite difficulties and the significant damage sustained at many learning facilities, more than 600 schools have now reopened.

Some schools in Melissa-ravaged western Jamaica will resume classes next week, relying on a blend of shift systems and makeshift tents, as needed, to get students back to the business of learning. The focus will initially be on those taking exams.

Cornwall College is among schools set to resume classes, joining Mount Alvernia High which welcomed back some of its exam-taking cohort Wednesday.

“We had to close our schools right across the country because of the passage of the hurricane but today I want to tell Jamaica that we have schools that are up and running despite the circumstances. So yesterday the data came to me that 653 schools are up and running in Jamaica. So we’re bringing hope. We’re not sitting back. We’re not just closing our hands and just wondering what to do. People are waiting on us and are depending on us,” declared Aroupe.

According to Troupe, students’ mental health is also being prioritised as they have gone through a traumatic event and it may hinder academic performance.

She pointed out that the ministry had taken several steps to ensure that while schools are reopening, the approach will accommodate staff capable of handling students with mental health challenges.

“We have 1,036 guidance counsellors, we have health and family life educators, and we have deans of discipline. They are out in the field working with the people who are impacted. UNICEF has already sponsored the training of our guidance counsellors and is helping professionals to build their capacity to respond to the needs on the ground at such a time like this. So people are working with us.

“So parents, please do not give up, have faith in your ministry. I know it was difficult through COVID and some of you were disappointed in us but it was a learning experience for all of us, there was no blueprint,” said Troupe.

— Renae Osbourne