The Ministry of Education says students displaced by Hurricane Melissa will receive psychosocial services, regional guidance, and flexible academic arrangements to help them continue learning. Education Minister Dr Dana Morris Dixon noted that discussions are under way with examination bodies to adjust deadlines, syllabus coverage and assessment requirements, and that postponed vocational exams will be rescheduled to give students more time to prepare.

Some displaced students to be hosted by Corporate Area schools

Jamaica Gleaner/22 Nov 2025

Edmond Campbell/ Senior Parliamentary Reporter edmond.campbell@gleanerjm.com

SOME CORPORATE Area public and private schools have volunteered to host students displaced from western institutions severely impacted by Hurricane Melissa.

Education Minister Dr Dana Morris Dixon said the ministry has introduced the Host School initiative to assist students whose institutions have not yet reopened.

“This is a temporar y arrangement, where a student from a non-operational school continues learning in another institution for a defined period of time,” Morris Dixon said in a statement to the Senate on Friday.

She said students and their host schools will be supported by strong regional coordination, psychosocial services, and clear accountability measures.

The education minister said several principals have contacted the ministry to express an interest in hosting students from western Jamaica.

Campion College, Ardenne High, St Andrew Technical and Kingston Technical High are among the

‘This is demonstrating the very best of our national spirit and our shared commitment to Jamaica’s children. Parents who want to benefit from this initiative should reach out to their regional office for assistance.’

initial institutions that have pledged to host students.

COMMITMENT TO JA’S CHILDREN

“This is demonstrating the very best of our national spirit and our shared commitment to Jamaica’s children. Parents who want to benefit from this initiative should reach out to their regional office for assistance,” Morris Dixon said.

Commenting on external exams, Morris Dixon has signalled that talks are under way with the Caribbean Examinations Council to allow for adjustments to deadlines and requirements for school-based assessments and practical exams.

She said the discussions will also explore flexibility in syllabus coverage and cost implications and provision of options for students to reduce the number of exams they sit based on their situation.

In terms of exams for the local National Council on Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Morris Dixon said the sitting this month has been postponed. She said exams are rescheduled for February 2026, with a further option in June 2026, to allow students and institutions adequate time to prepare.

She said City & Guilds has proposed a two-cohort examination model with sittings in June and November 2026, offering increased flexibility for schools in the most severely impacted regions.

For feedback: contact the Editorial Department at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com.