Education Ministry pushes back at claims about inappropriate behaviour at school shelters

The Ministry of Education has stated that it has received no official reports of inappropriate behaviour by individuals sheltering at schools, following allegations made by Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) President Mark Malabver.

Speaking yesterday at the first day of the JTA’s 2026 education conference Malabver said that the association has received reports of students and teachers being unable to use their classrooms where shelterees engage in unsavoury activities while occupying the buildings.

Those reports, he said, included shelterees engaging in sexual activities in full view of students, as well as teaching supplies going missing following their occupancy of schools, while students and teachers have to conduct their classes under tents.

However, in a statement issued on Wednesday, the ministry said it has not been notified of any incidents, particularly those involving children, at any school currently being used as a shelter.

The ministry noted that checks were conducted with the relevant regional office that has direct oversight for the schools referenced.

According to the ministry, Regional Director Dr Michelle Pinnock confirmed that no such reports had been made to the region.

Further, it said that principals of schools currently operating as shelters were contacted, and none indicated that any such incidents had occurred on their compounds.

However, the ministry said the principals have requested additional time to carry out further due diligence, given the seriousness of the allegations.

At present, 81 individuals are being accommodated across eight shelter sites, the education ministry said.

These persons have been in shelters since the passage of Hurricane Melissa last October.

The ministry also pointed out that routine visits conducted by its safety and security officer, along with shelter managers, have not uncovered any evidence to substantiate the claims.

Additionally, it noted that the ministry meets monthly with the JTA, and the specific concerns raised publicly by Malabver were never brought up during those engagements.

The ministry said it was also not made aware of the allegations prior to the JTA president’s remarks.

Minister of Education Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon described the claims as serious and requiring urgent attention.

“Any allegation of inappropriate behaviour in a shelter environment, particularly where children may be affected, is a matter of the greatest seriousness. I was shocked to hear the public allegation from Mr Malabver for the first time by way of a public address. I hope he made formal reports to all relevant authorities before doing so,” the minister said.

She urged Malabver to immediately provide the ministry with any details, including dates, locations, and supporting information, to facilitate a thorough investigation.

“We have a moral and statutory responsibility to report and investigate these allegations in the shortest possible time. The safety and well-being of our children will and must always be our utmost priority,” Dixon added.

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