JTA President-Elect Urges Faster Repairs For Hurricane-Damaged Western Jamaica Schools

LaSonja Harrison, president-elect of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association, has raised concern about the condition of several western Jamaica schools still struggling after Hurricane Melissa, saying the pace of repairs has not matched the needs on the ground.

Speaking on Thursday at the JTA’s St James Parish Association Annual General Meeting in Montego Bay, Harrison said teachers and students continue to face difficult learning environments months after the storm. "When I go around to the schools in the west, we still have colleagues who, when rainfall comes, are getting wet all over again, and education is expected to take place in those settings,” she said.

The hurricane left serious damage at a number of schools across the west, including the loss of roofs, classroom materials and teachers’ personal belongings. Emergency arrangements helped institutions resume classes, but Harrison said several schools are still depending on stopgap spaces that are no longer serving their purpose.

"It is untenable when we see where even the temporary facilities have now outlived their usefulness. The tents that some schools have are immensely hot. How is it that we expect learning and quality of learning to take place under those circumstances?" she asked.

Harrison said the impact of the hurricane has extended beyond school compounds, with many educators still trying to repair their homes and recover items destroyed during the disaster. "We are giving thanks from the west because we have been through waters, but they have not overtaken you. You are still standing," she told teachers.

She commended educators who, despite damaged houses, flooded motor vehicles and ongoing financial pressure, have continued to show up for their students. Harrison also warned that western Jamaica has now moved into another hurricane season while a number of schools remain exposed.

"Some of your situations have not yet been fixed, and schools have not been fixed, and we're in another hurricane season," she said. "The times are getting more turbulent and more challenging."

Harrison, who is to be installed as JTA president at the association’s 2026-2027 annual conference in August, returning for a second term in the post, said the union continues to urge the Government to speed up repairs at affected schools.

"The learning condition of the student is the working condition of the teacher. It is important for both teachers and students that our classrooms be retrofitted and restored," she said.

She said the JTA has also been lobbying for support for teachers affected by the hurricane and has helped submit information to the Government so members can seek relief. However, Harrison indicated that many teachers are still waiting on help.

According to Harrison, Hurricane Melissa has highlighted deep-rooted weaknesses in Jamaica’s school infrastructure and strengthened the case for more investment in education facilities, particularly as the needed funding has not yet been injected.

She said building back stronger schools must become a national priority as Jamaica faces weather systems that are becoming more frequent and more intense. "We cannot continue to do business as usual when our teachers and students are still trying to recover from a disaster while preparing for the next one," Harrison said.