In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa’s devastating passage across Jamaica on October 28, 2023, the nation’s education infrastructure faced unprecedented challenges. The Category 5 storm inflicted severe damage to school facilities, disrupting learning environments and testing institutional resilience across multiple parishes including St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Trelawny, Manchester and St Ann.
A coordinated recovery initiative spearheaded by the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information (MoESYI) and its implementing agency, the National Education Trust (NET), has been systematically restoring educational facilities with an emphasis on sustainable reconstruction rather than temporary fixes. Under the leadership of Executive Director Latoya Harris-Ghartey, NET has undertaken comprehensive repair work at more than 35 affected institutions as part of ongoing post-hurricane restoration efforts.
The rehabilitation philosophy consciously prioritizes quality and durability over speed, with Harris-Ghartey emphasizing that “the objective is not simply to return to what existed before, but to rebuild with improved standards that enhance durability and reduce vulnerability to future climatic events.” This approach represents a paradigm shift in disaster response, focusing on creating infrastructure capable of withstanding future environmental challenges.
At Lacovia Primary and Infant School in St Elizabeth—which had already contended with Hurricane Beryl’s impact in July 2024—the intervention proved transformative. Principal Stacia Williams-Brown characterized the support as a “lifeline” that has reassured students, teachers, and parents that their safe learning environment would be fully restored.
The effectiveness of preemptive resilience investments was demonstrated at Munro College, where previous roofing upgrades facilitated by NET significantly mitigated storm damage. Principal Dr. Mark Smith confirmed that the institution fared considerably better than comparable facilities, validating the government’s strategy of proactive infrastructure reinforcement.
Harris-Ghartey noted that the performance of enhanced systems during a Category 5 hurricane proves that investing in resilience before disasters strike ultimately conserves resources and protects lives. This evidence-based approach has enabled institutions like St Elizabeth Technical High School to resume operations within three weeks post-storm, minimizing educational disruption and restoring essential routines for the student population.