Education Ministry To Commence Repairs At Schools Damaged During Hurricane’s Passage

The Ministry of Education and Youth will be commencing repairs at schools damaged during Hurricane Beryl’s passage in preparation for the start of the 2024/25 academic year in September.

“We understand the urgency and state, that it is imperative that we begin restoration efforts immediately, considering we only have approximately six or seven weeks until the reopening of schools,” Portfolio Minister, Hon. Fayval Williams, said.

She was addressing Friday’s (July 19) Hurricane Beryl Disaster Recovery Plan for the Education Sector press conference at the Ministry’s offices in Kingston.

Current assessments indicate that 309 primary and secondary schools sustained an estimated $2.7 billion in damage during the hurricane’s passage on July 3.

Consequently, Mrs. Williams said the Ministry will be prioritising the institutions, based on the assessments.

“We have segmented these schools into three priorities. Priority one [includes] those schools that have been severely damaged, that we have to begin the restoration in order to have them in a place where they can be safely opened come September 2, 2024,” she informed.

A total of 85 schools, with damage estimated at $1.42 billion, are in this category

“Some of these priority schools are in areas like Region Five in parishes like St. Elizabeth. These schools include Bull Savannah Primary, Sandy Bank Primary, Pedro Plains Primary and Infant, Munro College and Hampton School for Girls, among many others,” Mrs. Williams informed.

The Ministry’s technical team has identified contractors to undertake repairs at these institutions.

Some 110 schools, which sustained moderate damage, have been placed in category two.

“While there is significant scope of work, these schools will be able to operate while repairs are being undertaken,” Mrs. Williams indicated.

Meanwhile, 114 schools, which sustained minimal damage including broken fences and roofing gutters resulting from fallen trees, have been listed in category three. These are institutions which can also operate while repairs are undertaken.

“The technical team continues to be in the field. They continue to carry out their assessment to finalise the procurement document to assign registered contractors to carry out repairs and reconstruction. We will be using the single source procurement methodology under emergency conditions in keeping with the Public Procurement Act and Policies,” Mrs. Williams advised.

She said emergency funds will be disbursed to all of the Ministry’s Regions to assist with clean-up and other critical activities, adding that that is now underway.