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In response to the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, Jamaican authorities and community partners have initiated a comprehensive educational support program for displaced students. The Solidarity Student Exchange Programme, spearheaded by St Catherine North Western MP Damion Crawford, aims to provide uninterrupted schooling for children from the hardest-hit southwestern parishes.

This initiative complements the Ministry of Education’s host school framework announced by Education Minister Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon on November 21. The government program facilitates temporary enrollment of students from non-operational schools into functioning institutions, ensuring educational continuity despite the catastrophic damage.

Minister Morris Dixon emphasized the temporary nature of the arrangement, noting that strong regional coordination, psychosocial services, and accountability measures would support both hosting schools and displaced students. She expressed encouragement at the overwhelming response from educational institutions nationwide, describing it as a demonstration of Jamaica’s collective commitment to its children.

Opposition education spokesman Crawford endorsed the ministry’s approach while launching the complementary exchange program. “North West St Catherine may not have faced the worst damage, but we have the capacity and duty to stand with children whose lives were upended,” Crawford stated, characterizing the effort as an emergency humanitarian and educational intervention.

The comprehensive program will provide consistent schooling, safe accommodation, counseling services, mentorship programs, nutritional support, and protective structures. Beginning December 18, the initiative will serve 200 students over a six-month period through multi-organizational collaboration.

The Linstead Ministers’ Fraternal will manage homestay recruitment and screening processes while providing pastoral oversight and emotional support. The Quality Education Circle will facilitate school placements, and undamaged schools throughout the constituency have committed to integrating students, assigning mentors, and maintaining educational continuity alongside child protection standards. Food for the Poor has pledged classroom furniture and care packages for incoming students.

Jamaica’s legal fraternity is enveloped in profound grief following the passing of distinguished attorney Dorothy Pine-McLarty, whose death was confirmed on Sunday. With an illustrious career spanning over half a century, Pine-McLarty exemplified legal excellence and transformative public service until her retirement from the prestigious law firm Myers, Fletcher & Gordon.

Her professional journey included groundbreaking leadership roles, serving as head of the firm’s Property Department from 1992 to 1995 and subsequently as managing partner of its London office from its establishment in 1995 until 1998. Her legal expertise gained international recognition when she was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom in 1995.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness led the national tributes, recognizing Pine-McLarty’s extraordinary contributions to Jamaican democracy. ‘She dedicated her life to strengthening our democracy, upholding integrity, and serving the Jamaican people with courage and grace,’ Holness stated in an official social media tribute.

Pine-McLarty’s career was marked by numerous pioneering achievements. In 1973, she shattered glass ceilings by becoming the first female partner at Myers, Fletcher & Gordon. Her most significant public service role came as chairman of the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ), a position she held from 2013 until her retirement in 2019, having initially joined the commission in 2000.

Her tenure at the ECJ witnessed transformative electoral reforms, including the successful oversight of four parliamentary elections, four local government elections, and numerous by-elections. She spearheaded critical initiatives such as the residence reverification project, implementation of the Electronic Voter Identification System, and the establishment of political party registration and campaign financing regulations.

Beyond her electoral work, Pine-McLarty contributed significantly to Jamaica’s financial sector through her board membership at Jamaica National Building Society and subsequent appointments to the boards of The Jamaica National Group and JN Financial Group following the institution’s restructuring.

Born in 1940, her exceptional public service was formally recognized in October 2007 when she was vested into the Order of Jamaica, the country’s fourth-highest national honor. Prime Minister Holness extended deepest condolences to her family, friends, colleagues, and all Jamaicans impacted by her remarkable legacy of service.

HECTOR’S RIVER, Portland — Happy Grove High School continues to battle the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Beryl while simultaneously addressing new challenges arising from Hurricane Melissa. Despite three consecutive rain-free days, water persistently drips from the principal’s office ceiling—a constant reminder of the structural damage that has rendered the entire top floor of the main building unusable.

Acting Principal Devon Wilson clarified that while Hurricane Melissa caused minimal institutional damage, it exacerbated existing problems created by July 2024’s Hurricane Beryl. The 127-year-old educational institution lost multiple classrooms and suffered critical damage to Harvey Hall auditorium during Beryl’s passage. Although state authorities have since replaced the auditorium roof, six classrooms remain completely non-functional, forcing administrators to repurpose specialized facilities including the library, technical drawing room, science laboratory, and music room to accommodate displaced grade 10 students.

The school’s administrative block suffers from severe leakage, damaged windows, and missing window panes. Wilson emphasized that while government assistance has commenced, substantial repairs are still required. The administration actively seeks support from both public institutions and private sector organizations, additionally appealing to alumni for project-based assistance to improve learning conditions.

While the school itself escaped Melissa’s worst effects, many students faced significant personal hardships. Numerous households suffered structural damage, water intrusion, and prolonged loss of electricity, internet, and water services. Students from severely affected communities including Rolandsfield, Bath, and Seaford encountered particular difficulties attending classes due to dangerous travel conditions and ongoing power outages that persisted weeks after the storm.

With communication networks compromised, remote learning proved impossible, leaving many students without educational access during the critical post-hurricane period. The school has implemented flexible attendance policies, permitting casual attire and excusing absences for students from hardest-hit St. Thomas communities.

External examination preparedness presents additional concerns. Fortunately, most Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) fees had been paid pre-Melissa, and deadline extensions have allowed nearly complete registration for eligible candidates. City and Guilds exam registration scheduled for January anticipates more normalized operations.

Despite its own challenges, Happy Grove High has offered to accept students from western Jamaican schools devastated by Melissa. With capacity for additional enrollment and comprehensive CSEC curriculum coverage exceeding 28 subjects, the institution stands ready to assist displaced students continue their education during the ongoing crisis.