KINGSTON, Jamaica. Repairs to more than half of the schools severely damaged by Hurricane Melissa should be finished by the end of the year, the Ministry of Education has said, as it asked parents and teachers to bear with a recovery that has drawn sharp public criticism.
Permanent Secretary Dr Kasan Troupe told the post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House on Wednesday that work has been completed at 57 of the more than 300 schools that suffered extensive damage in last year’s storm. A further 95 are due to be finished by the end of October and another 34 by December. She reminded the public that the ministry had said from the start that the worst-hit schools would take up to 24 months.
The government has faced mounting pressure over the pace of the work, with pupils in western Jamaica beginning the new school year in makeshift conditions and some being taught outdoors under trees.
Education Minister Senator Dana Morris Dixon said fixing every school at once, within the country’s limits, was simply not possible. The education sector, she said, had received the largest share of the rehabilitation budget, close to 26 billion dollars, after a storm that damaged about 688 schools and left 313 severely destroyed. Schools are being rebuilt to a higher standard than before, which she acknowledged takes longer.
Dr Troupe said the rebuilt schools follow World Bank standards for resilient infrastructure. She added that 3.5 billion dollars has been sent to schools for running costs and nutrition, 75 million dollars to 275 schools for canteen repairs, and 300 million dollars for furniture, with 25,000 pieces already delivered and 20,000 more being prepared.
Contracts with book suppliers were finalised last week, with 700 million dollars set aside for high schools and 300 million dollars for primary schools. Principals have been told to spend 45 percent of their grants on learning resources, which the ministry puts at about 3.2 billion dollars in total.
She said the ministry regrets what families have had to endure and does not want it for any learner. Education, she said, is a team effort, and she asked parents and teachers for their patience while the work is done.
LRTVS News Desk
Leave a Reply