The Jamaica National (JN) Foundation has announced its commitment to urgently repair the DRB Grant Demonstration Basic School in Catherine Hall, St James, which suffered extensive damage during Hurricane Melissa on October 28. The school, originally designed with seven classrooms to accommodate 140 children, now serves over 160 students and was severely impacted by high winds and floodwaters, resulting in 95% damage. Sydoney Preddie, speaking at a JIS Think Tank event, emphasized the school’s critical role in early childhood education and its location in one of the hardest-hit areas. The repair initiative aligns with the JN Foundation’s focus on early childhood development and coincides with the Regional Colloquium on Early Childhood Education, a two-day event advocating for Jamaica’s youngest and most vulnerable citizens. Professor Zoyah Kinkead Clark of UWI Mona highlighted the importance of partnerships in rebuilding the sector, noting the devastating effects of school disruptions on young children. The school, named after Dudley Ransford Brandyce (DRB) Grant, a pioneer in Jamaican early childhood education, stands as a symbol of resilience and the urgent need for collective action in the face of natural disasters.