JTA renews push for national policy on school use after natural disasters

The Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) has again asked the Ministries of Education, Local Government, and Labour and Social Security to work together on a full policy for managing schools after natural disasters.

The association said its renewed appeal stems from ongoing concern that some schools were used as shelters for an unusually long time following Hurricane Melissa in October.

At a Disaster Risk Management and Recovery in Education forum on Monday, JTA President Mark Malabver said the policy must lay out clear rules, including how people sheltering in school buildings should be moved elsewhere.

Malabver said a formal framework is needed because several schools remained in use as shelters for an extended period after the hurricane.