In an extraordinary display of resilience, William Knibb Memorial High School in Martha Brae, Trelawny, is proceeding with emergency reopening plans despite sustaining catastrophic damage estimated at $400 million from Hurricane Melissa. The hurricane’s fury left eight of the school’s nine buildings severely compromised, with widespread destruction of roofs, windows, furniture, and critical infrastructure.
Principal Linvern Wright has coordinated with Jamaica’s Ministry of Education to secure eight large tents that will serve as temporary classrooms, enabling a phased reopening process. The educational institution will welcome back Grade 11 students and sixth formers on Monday, with the remaining student population expected to return by Thursday. The school serves approximately 1,100 students from grades seven through sixth form.
Innovative temporary measures include using plywood and tarpaulins in layered configurations to create weatherproof learning environments. ‘We cover it first with 3×8 ply, then cover it with tarpaulins and ensure that it is flat so that even if rain falls, the water goes off,’ Wright explained, emphasizing that these are not mere temporary fixes but carefully engineered solutions.
The damage assessment reveals comprehensive destruction extending beyond classrooms to administrative offices, where staff were forced to dry important documents outdoors after the administration block lost its roof. The $400 million preliminary estimate includes complete replacement of fencing alone, projected to cost approximately $2.8 million, alongside destroyed electrical systems, technological infrastructure, doors, and windows.
Wright highlighted the profound emotional impact on the school community, noting that many families have simultaneously experienced job losses due to hotel closures, home destruction, and personal tragedies. He expressed particular concern about ensuring students receive meals through the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH), recognizing that for some, school lunch might represent their only daily meal.
Despite the challenging circumstances, Wright stressed the critical importance of reopening for both academic recovery and psychological well-being. ‘They are not going to be 100 percent comfortable but we hope they’ll be 100 percent here…even just for the social and psychological well-being,’ he stated.
As president of the Jamaica Association of Principals of Secondary Schools, Wright indicated that educational institutions across Trelawny are employing various strategies to resume operations safely. He warned of the ‘significant gaps in learning that you can’t compensate for’ when students miss instructional time, emphasizing that the long-term effects of extended closures would be dire for educational outcomes.
Grounds crews worked through Friday afternoon removing hazardous debris, loose zinc sheeting, and preparing the compound for the students’ return, symbolizing the community’s determination to restore normalcy despite unprecedented challenges.