In the wake of the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) and Jamaica’s Ministry of Education are joining forces to develop a comprehensive relief plan for students scheduled to take examinations in January and May-June 2026. The Category 5 hurricane, which struck Jamaica on October 28 with winds reaching 185 miles per hour, caused widespread destruction, severely damaging over 600 educational institutions and displacing thousands of students. While classes have resumed in more than 600 schools, many students in the southwestern region face prolonged delays in returning to their studies. Dr. Wayne Wesley, Registrar and CEO of CXC, expressed deep empathy for the nation and highlighted the council’s collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth, and Information (MOEYSI) to address the concerns of candidates preparing for the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC), and Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence exams. Once finalized, the relief plan will be widely publicized to ensure students receive the necessary support. Education Minister Dr. Dana Morris Dixon emphasized the ministry’s commitment to prioritizing exam-bound students during the phased reopening of schools. Hurricane Melissa, the most extreme storm in Jamaica’s history, caused catastrophic flooding and infrastructure damage, particularly in St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland, leaving a lasting impact on the island’s education system.