Safety Prioritised As St. Elizabeth Schools Open for 2026/27 Amid Post-Hurricane Reconstruction

Schools across St. Elizabeth are placing increased emphasis on safety and security as students return to normal face-to-face classes for the 2026/27 academic year, while reconstruction works continue in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Marlon Morgan, said the Ministry is closely monitoring schools to ensure students are protected from potential hazards associated with ongoing reconstruction works.

“We place a high premium as a Ministry on safety and security,” he stated while visiting several institutions in the parish on Monday (September 14).

The schools visited included Fyffes Pen Primary and Infant School, Pondside Primary and Infant School, Brompton Primary and Infant School, Black River Primary and Infant School, and Sydney Pagon STEM Academy.

Senator Morgan stated that while work remains under way at some institutions, schools must ensure that construction areas are properly cordoned off and clearly marked with appropriate signage.

“It’s important… so that we can avert the children being exposed to the vagaries of ongoing construction and, of course, any hazard that may present in respect of ongoing works,” he explained.

In the meantime, Senator Morgan said he was pleased with the safety arrangements observed at the various institutions during the visits, noting that the measures allow teaching and learning to continue while rehabilitation work progresses.

At Sydney Pagon STEM Academy, in particular, the Parliamentary Secretary welcomed the progress made in restoring the institution, which suffered extensive damage to its roof infrastructure during Hurricane Melissa.

According to Senator Morgan, roofing on several classroom blocks and dormitories has been restored, allowing the school to reopen learning spaces that were previously unavailable.

He further indicated that the remaining work includes the administrative block, where concrete roofing is scheduled to be installed.

Meanwhile, Principal, Milbert Miller, pointed out that the academy was forced to operate on a shift system in the aftermath of the hurricane, but has since returned to a normal school day schedule.

“We are grateful to all our stakeholders who came on board since Hurricane Melissa to support the programme here at Sydney Pagon STEM Academy,” he stated.

Mr. Miller credited the National Education Trust (NET) and other stakeholders for working closely with the school throughout the rebuilding process.

He added that the institution, which was built in 1979, has an enrolment of more than 740 students, approximately 300 of whom are boarders pursuing agricultural and technical-vocational programmes.