The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information has indicated that all 1,010 of the island’s public schools, across the infant, primary, and secondary levels, are now operational, following the passage of Hurricane Melissa in October 2025.
The institutions are using different operational modalities, including face-to-face classes, remote lessons and a staggered approach to reopening.
“Within the seven most severely impacted parishes, we have 446 institutions. They are all up and running,” disclosed Acting Chief Education Officer in the Ministry, Terry-Ann Thomas-Gayle, during a post-Cabinet press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kingston, on Wednesday (January 14).
The 446 institutions consist of schools across Region 3 (St. Ann and Trelawny); Region 4 (Hanover, St. James and Westmoreland), and Region 5 (Manchester and St. Elizabeth).
In Region 3, which has 123 institutions, 109 are currently operating in the face-to-face modality, while 14 are using the rotational schedule, with priority being given to students who will be sitting external examinations.
In Region 4, the most severely impacted region, there are 164 institutions, and 127 are operating in full face-to-face modality while 37 are using a rotational schedule.
“For Region 5, we have 162 institutions. We have all institutions open. We have 135 operating face-to-face, seven using rotational schedule, 19 using the reduced hours, and one school… I think it should be open by today… that was Ginger Hill. They were cleaning after the shelter was closed,” Mrs. Thomas-Gayle outlined.
She emphasised that the Ministry continues to overcome critical challenges such as infrastructure repairs, electricity restoration, and ensuring adequate water supply to keep the nation’s schools open.
