‘Building back better’: Jamaica plans multi-year overhaul of schools after Hurricane Melissa

The Jamaican Government’s recovery plan for the education sector following the devastation of Hurricane Melissa will prioritize building stronger, safer school facilities designed to withstand future storms, says Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon.

During a tour of affected schools in Trelawny and St. James on Wednesday (Nov. 12), the Minister told JIS News that the long-term strategy goes far beyond basic repairs. The plan includes upgrading building standards, improving drainage systems, and strengthening utility infrastructure to reduce vulnerability and long-term maintenance costs.

“This approach is a shift away from merely restoring what was lost to building back better, with an emphasis on resilience and safer building standards for the future,” she said.

Senator Morris Dixon noted that the extent of the damage has underscored the urgent need for a more resilient education system. More than 600 schools sustained some level of damage during the storm, with roughly 200 institutions severely affected.

The destruction, she said, is enough to “change the way we think about our infrastructure and our readiness for future storms.”

Multi-Year Recovery Ahead

The Minister stressed that the recovery will not be a quick turnaround, but a phased, multi-year effort. As reconstruction begins, school leaders have been improvising to keep students engaged. Some of the most severely impacted schools are implementing shift systems to maximise instructional time.

“Given the extent of the damage, temporary classroom solutions are being considered for the most affected schools. The goal is to keep learning, moving, while reconstruction takes place,” she said.

Access to reliable water supply has been another major challenge. The Ministry is working with the National Water Commission (NWC) and trucking partners to ensure affected campuses receive water. The aim is to resume classes at as many schools as possible by the end of the month.

For schools with significant structural damage, there will be phased reopening plans and potential relocations to maintain continuity of learning.

Community Effort and Continued Communication

Senator Morris Dixon praised the efforts of school leaders, teachers, parents, and community members who have taken on clean-up work and put interim measures in place to support the return to classes.

She also pledged ongoing transparency as assessments continue and rebuilding plans take shape. This includes finalising temporary operating models—such as shift systems and makeshift classrooms—to sustain instructional time throughout the reconstruction period.

“Also, we will put together a comprehensive resilience upgrade plan with timelines and budgets and maintain regular updates on reopening timelines, safety standards, and progress,” she said.

While acknowledging that “the path to full recovery will be long and challenging,” the Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to restoring every child to a safe, modern classroom.

“We are committed to returning every child to a safe, modern classroom, stronger than before Hurricane Melissa struck. We are also encouraging our school communities to stay engaged as plans move from assessment to action,” she said.