Shift system coming for some schools as more Melissa repairs completed

Education Minister Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon says a shift system is to be introduced at schools still recovering from Hurricane Melissa as more repairs are being undertaken.

Morris Dixon said more schools have been brought back on stream, which has allowed students preparing to sit CXC and CAPE to get back into classrooms.

She indicated that with more repairs being done, the ministry expects that more of the student population will return to schools within the next two weeks, noting that this will be done on a rotation or shift basis.

She was speaking at Hurricane Melissa special press briefing at Jamaica House on Wednesday.

Morris Dixon pointed out that repairs have advanced in parishes most affected by the storm, such as Westmoreland, Hanover, and St James, which has allowed for 24 of the 25 institutions in Region 4 of the Education Ministry to reopen, accommodating grades 11 to 13 students who are preparing for regional external exams.

Noting that Cabinet has approved funding to repair schools, she said priority is being given to institutions with student boarding, such as Munro College, Hampton, and St Elizabeth Technical High.

The education minister further informed that the ministry is also looking at getting schools with boarding facilities that are out of use back up.

Additionally, a programme is in place for schools elsewhere in Jamaica that are unaffected by the hurricane to host students from affected parishes.

Morris Dixon stressed that new roofing standards for schools have been introduced and the Government will ensure that they are adhered to in the hurricane repair works.

She said repair works will be closely monitored and reviewed to ensure compliance with standards.

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