The Government has committed $18 billion towards the reconstruction and rehabilitation of schools damaged by Hurricane Melissa, as part of efforts to build a stronger and more resilient education system.
Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, provided the update during a session on ‘Building a Resilient Education System in Partnership with the Diaspora’, at the 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference, at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St. James, on Monday (June 15).
The Minister underscored that the allocation follows extensive assessments undertaken by the Ministry to determine the scale of destruction caused by the hurricane, which impacted hundreds of educational institutions across the island.
“The Ministry has done a lot of work in costing what it will be to rebuild our schools, and it is $18 billion and I’m very happy to tell you that the Minister of Finance has allocated the $18 billion for us to do it,” Senator Morris Dixon announced.
She reported that the hurricane affected approximately 152,000 students and 8,000 teachers, many of whom experienced displacement and significant disruption to their educational journey.
The Minister underscored that the reconstruction programme is not simply about replacing what was lost but creating facilities that are better able to withstand future disasters.
“The schools can’t be rebuilt to what was there before or else the next hurricane they’re gone again,” she said.
Senator Morris Dixon underscored that new building standards have been incorporated into the reconstruction programme to improve the durability and resilience of educational facilities.
The Minister acknowledged that rebuilding efforts have faced challenges due to increased demand for contractors, equipment and construction materials, as homes, businesses and public infrastructure are also being restored.
“When you’re trying to do hundreds of schools at the same time, it’s not an easy project,” she pointed out.
Nevertheless, Senator Morris Dixon emphasised that the Government remains committed to ensuring the work is completed to the highest standard.
The reconstruction programme forms part of the Government’s broader strategy to strengthen educational infrastructure and improve resilience across the sector.
