The aftermath of Hurricane Melissa has left Jamaica grappling with the challenge of reopening schools, sparking a heated debate between the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) and the Ministry of Education. JTA President Mark Malabver expressed deep concerns over the ministry’s directive for schools in less-affected parishes to resume operations on November 3. Malabver argued that such decisions should be made at the institutional level, involving principals, teachers, and stakeholders, rather than adopting a blanket approach. He emphasized the need to consider the personal circumstances of educators, many of whom have suffered significant losses, including homes and family members, and are struggling with mental health issues.